By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
November 6, 2026-What is now known as TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) started in the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) in 1978 during an era when Children With Special Needs playing sports was not as accepted as it is today.
Nearly a half-century later, the LIJSL has a very vibrant TOPS program that is the largest in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA).
TOPSoccer players from the Huntington Boys Club, New Hyde Park Wildcats, Plainview/Old Bethpage, Sachem, Smithtown Kickers, Valley Stream and West Hempstead Chiefs enjoyed Soccer Under the Stars at Plainview JFK High School on Sunday night, November 1. All the players had a good time and each left with a special gift bag from the LIJSL which included a new soccer ball from American Challenge.
“This is one of the most important events of the year,” LIJSL Programs and Events Manager Stephanie Hernandez said. “To see our athletes’ smiling faces and high fives as well as the cheers from the crowd made the evening even more special. I’d like to thank everyone involved for making this event what it is and look forward to many more nights like it in the future.”
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/
All photos courtesy of the Long Island Junior Soccer League