By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
February 21, 2013-During the weekend of January 25 to 27, the Eastern New York Soccer Referee Program hosted a training course for US Soccer State Referee Assessors at the Hilton Garden Inn in Westbury, Long Island. State Referee Assessors are charged with evaluating and assisting referees, up through State Referee grades, with improving their knowledge, ability and performance on the field. The skill and intensity of youth play in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) and amateur adult play in the Eastern New York State Soccer Association demand referees with very high levels of competence.
19 candidates took the course, including three from South Dakota and one from Indiana, presented by US Soccer Assessor inspectors and members of the National Instruction Program, David McKee (National Assessment Director) and Don Wilbur, both of whom assess at the highest level in the United States.
"The course was very successful and we now have many more State Assessors, some available immediately, and some who are currently still officiating at the National level, who will wait until they retire from officiating pro games before taking up full assessment duties," commented State Director of Assessment Klaus Mueller.
At the conclusion of the rigorous 18-hour course, 11 new State Referee Assessors––Scott Abel, Nabil Al-Saidi, Albert Calise, Rich Ceonzo, Lachoucin Kharmaj, Eugene Mednikov, Steve Meyers, Roger Monthie, John Puglisi, Robert Sabiga and Rafal Wlazlo––were registered for Eastern New York. They will be at the disposal of Mr. Mueller and his deputies for assignments working with referees looking to improve and advance.
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 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.