By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
October 16, 2012-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Galway Soccer Club President Darren Schaperjahn has been selected as our Boys Competitive Coach of the Year. Our honoree coaches the Galway Leprechauns in the small town of Galway, population 200. The Leprechauns played last spring in the Capital District Youth Soccer League’s (CDYSL) Boys-Under-12, Division 2 North.
Team mother Eileen Lawson stated, “Darren has donated his time, energy and sometimes his own money for children to play soccer. He is the type of coach that can see a spark in a child and help them turn that spark into a burning passion for soccer. He has taught the Leprechauns that they might be from a small town but they can be very competitive with upper division teams.”
“Some youth cannot afford soccer supplies so Darren will find gently-used uniforms and equipment for the kids,” she continued. “Over the years, I know that there have been families who could not afford the $45 registration fee for their child to play soccer. Mysteriously, the money would appear for the child to play.”
As club President, Darren recruits kids for the club’s recreational program, staffs a table at school open house nights and even purchases supplies, lines fields and puts up nets, all on a volunteer basis.
Darren is now being considered for Region 1 honors as well.
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 stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 12 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 Special Children. 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/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.