By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer AssociationFebruary 7, 2026-The
Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Ella Schwartz of the Plainview/Old Bethpage Soccer Club was honored as our 2025 TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year.
TOPSoccer, The Outreach Program for Soccer, is for children and adults with intellectual, emotional or physical challenges, all under the US Youth Soccer umbrella.
The ceremony took place at Eastern New York’s Hall of Fame Banquet on Saturday, January 24 at Marina del Rey in the Bronx.
Longtime club volunteer Peter Chavkin wrote in his nominating letter that “Ella was an active member of the Plainview/Old Bethpage Soccer Club since she was 4 and joined TOPS when she was 13. TOPS has taught her how to listen and patiently guide children with challenges. This is a rare talent for Ella to possess, yet she has it in abundance. Ella started working one-on-one with the youngest players to learn the program, and then she transitioned to working with the older, more physical players, teaching them advanced skills.
She is so skilled and caring that she is now responsible for teaching new trainers how to work with the players, showcasing how to communicate with children who barely speak and how to introduce more advanced teachings at the right time. She does this while being in charge of multiple players as well.”
With over 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, east of Route 81. ENYYSA encourages 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 US Soccer and US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/