Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
May 12, 2014-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) has taken a leadership position in the important topic of coaching education by requiring all youth soccer trainers to have a pass approved by Eastern New York. This requirement is effective September 1, 2014 for trainers to continue to participate in our games.
Sam Snow, the Coaching Director of the United States Youth Soccer Association, recently wrote the following to the leaders of the 55 state associations:
The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association has adopted a professional trainer pass program. In basic terms, this program demands a certain level of those wishing to earn a living as a soccer coach. The intent of this process is to ensure consistency of trainer qualifications, risk management eligibility, insurance and to provide a resource to organizations that desire to hire a trainer. Eastern New York does not recommend or endorse any individual trainer. They check their diplomas and licenses, and for a fee, provide them with a trainer pass that allows them to coach at games. One of the positive consequences of this program has been that a huge number of "coaches" are now starting some type of educational journey. Does your state association have a similar program?
“We are doing everything within our power to ensure that all youth players within Eastern New York have a qualified and well-educated coach/trainer to teach them the beautiful game,” stated Tim Bradbury, Eastern New York’s Director of Coaching Instruction. “I remain convinced that the single most important fact in both a child's development and their love for the game is the quality of the coach. It is great that Sam (Snow) has recognized our efforts and I look forward to programs like ours becoming commonplace throughout the country.”
With 123,843 youth soccer players––68,587 boys and 55,256 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 11 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. Eastern New York 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 Special Children. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. Eastern New York 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/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.