Eastern NY Youth Soccer Association

SECOND TOP LOGO (THE ONE ON THE RIGHT)
Uncategorized
By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
 

December 2, 2022-In November, the Staten Island Youth Soccer League (SIYSL), the southernmost league of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), broke ground on the first field to be built on acquired property in Oakwood Beach.

“We are very excited to start this new chapter in the league’s history,” said SIYSL President Rich Nellis, who said the first small-sided field (for 6- to 9-year-old kids) should be completed by the end of next spring. Phase 2, a full-size field should be ready by spring 2024. Phase 3, an additional 4-6 fields depending how the remaining space works out by the spring of 2025. All fields will be grass.

Oakwood_for_Web
 
SIYSL President Rich Nellis, center of back row, surrounded by SIYSL coaches and players in Oakwood Beach. Photo courtesy of Kara Buzga and the Staten Island Advance.
 
The six acres of property are not on one continuous stretch of land, however, as the purchased property is broken into four different areas bordered by Mill Road, Aviston Street, Dugdale Street, Merkel Place and Riga Street. 

In 2019, SIYSL volunteers Fred Cipriani and Rob Libertelli completed the land purchase of six acres from the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery. The Recovery Program made efforts to provide relief to homeowners who suffered loss and damages during Superstorm Sandy a decade ago.

Nellis also noted the league is creating a memorial garden with a stone dedicated to the memory of those who lost life and property during Sandy.

“10 years ago, the Staten Island community was devastated by the effects of Superstorm Sandy,” said President Nellis. “We suffered through loss of life and prosperity, especially here in this very neighborhood in the area across the road in Fox Beach.”

New York City Council member and SIYSL supporter David Carr (50th Council District) got the ball rolling on the construction phase of the first field by putting a shovel into the ground. The SIYSL would also like to especially thank Senator Andrew Lanzi who helped with the acquisition of the site.SIYSL_for_Web

To go along with the new fields, the SIYSL rebranded by making an addition to its logo by adding the word “Youth” and changing its league colors to blue and beige.
 
President Nellis concluded, “We are very excited to have a facility that the Staten Island Youth Soccer League can finally call our own, something that our league has been lacking since its inception.” 
 
With approximately 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 10 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Children With Special Needs. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/