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Eastern New York Honors Dr. Eric Lamberg as Our Personality of the Month

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Dr. Eric Lamberg is standing on the far right. Photo above by Carl Calabria.

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

May 6, 2015-Dr. Eric Lamberg coached the US National Amputee Team to the knockout round of the Amputee World Cup for the first time ever last year and volunteers as a coach for the Commack Soccer Club. In addition to his international success, Eric has also led the Boys-Under-10 Commack Raiders to two Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Sportsmanship Awards in two years so he is being honored by the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) as our Personality of the Month for May.

Eric has been involved with soccer his entire life, growing up playing for the LIJSL’s Hauppauge Soccer Club plus Hauppauge High School and he still plays both outdoors and indoors for the Commack men’s team. He’s a professor at Stony Brook University in Physical Therapy after receiving his Research Doctoral Degree from Columbia University in motor learning and motor control, the science of understanding how people control their movement and learn to move when they are children as well as after injury. He has authored many research publications, including articles on amputees and motor learning.

Shortly after he joined the Board of Directors of the American Amputee Soccer Association, one of the players, Ignacio "Nacho" Medrano, stepped up to become interim player/coach, and with Eric’s LIJSL coaching experience, he was made the interim assistant coach. Prior to the Amputee World Cup last fall, the US National Amputee Team held a training camp in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and it quickly became obvious that it was too much to expect a player to also coach.

“Thus, I ended up taking on most of the coaching responsibilities for the weekend. Then the team and the Board of Directors recommended a change and I was installed as the interim head coach,” Eric stated. “I brought the team to the Amputee World Cup last fall in Mexico. While there, we also played a few international friendlies and won against both Germany and Mexico. After returning from a successful World Cup, I was installed as the head coach and lost the interim title.”

Amputee soccer is different from the soccer you watch on TV as it’s played using crutches. There are six field players (each having one amputated leg) and one goalkeeper (with an amputated arm). Nobody plays with prosthetics. With no offsides rule, kick-ins instead of throw-ins, a smaller field (maximum of 70 x 60 meters) and smaller goal (5 meters wide x 2.2 meters high), the game is very fast with many shots on goal.

“When the keeper makes a diving save with one arm, it is very exciting for all watching!” Eric exclaimed.

Back home in the LIJSL, the 41-year-old Commack resident coaches the Raiders (his son Jack plays on the team) as well as a Boys-Under-8 Commack intramural squad (son Max plays on that team). “I have learned a lot from the boys on my teams during the five years I have been coaching.”

His little girl, Lily, is only two but she’s already in love with soccer.

“Just having the opportunity to play for all these years and be on the field with a team has made me very thankful,” Eric concluded. “Without a doubt, one of my proudest and most humbling moments has been at the recent World Cup where I was able to stand and represent the USA as the national anthem played. I believe that my best moments on a soccer field are still to come both as the US National Amputee Team coach and as a Dad who enjoys watching his kids play soccer.”

Since the US National Amputee Team does not have much funding, the players pay out of their own pockets for all their travel and lodging so Eric asked that potential sponsors contact him at eric.lamberg@ampsoccer.org. You can also reach him at that e-mail address for more info about the teams he coaches.

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. Members are affiliated with 11 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.

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The Boys-Under-10 Commack Raiders. Dr. Eric Lamberg is standing second from right.

Eastern New York Crowns 13 Champions of Our 2013 Premier League

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Judy Rodriguez photo above of the Bayport Tsunami.
 
By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
 
July 2, 2013-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce the 13 champions of the 2013 ENYYSA Premier League. 71 teams from eight leagues kicked off play on the weekend of March 23 and 24. Squads from six different leagues were recently crowned league champions:
 
Boys-Under-12: Bayport Tsunami, Long Island Junior Soccer League
Boys-Under-13: B/W Gottschee Boys 99 Blue, Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League
Boys-Under-14: FC Somers Razors, Westchester Youth Soccer League
Boys-Under-15: Yonkers United Celtics, Westchester Youth Soccer League
Boys-Under-16: Alleycats Straycats, Capital District Youth Soccer League
Boys-Under-17: White Plains Rockets, Westchester Youth Soccer League
Boys-Under-18: Dover Dreamers, East Hudson Youth Soccer League
 
Girls-Under-12: Smithtown Crimson Tide, Long Island Junior Soccer League
Girls-Under-13: South Merrick Lady Cyclones, Long Island Junior Soccer League
Girls-Under-14: Farmingdale Shamrocks, Long Island Junior Soccer League
Girls-Under-15: Quickstrike FC 98’s, Hudson Valley Youth Soccer League
Girls-Under-17: Bayport Lady Hurricanes, Long Island Junior Soccer League
Girls-Under-18: Alleycats Ocelots, Capital District Youth Soccer League
 
The Bayport Tsunami and FC Somers Razors used what they learned in the ENYYSA Premier League to help them win the State Open Cup on June 1 at Stringham Park in LaGrange.
 
"We’re extremely excited to win both the State Cup and Premier League," commented Bayport coach Eddie Hackett. "It was the Tsunami’s first time in the Premier League. They’re a very good group of kids who have a lot of good things ahead of them."
 
FC Somers Razors coach Alan Brady said, "We’re proud and thrilled to win a unique double of the State Cup and Premier League. Particular credit to our keeper Dillon Medd and defense who conceded only three goals in eight league games and had another clean sheet in the State Cup final."
 
Congratulations to these 13 champion youth soccer teams who automatically qualify for entry into the Northeast Regional Premier League (NERP) in 2014.
 
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. 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.
 
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Judy Rodriguez photo above of the FC Somers Razors.
 

Lynbrook/East Rockaway Stings Garden City to Win the Boys-Under-12 State Open Cup

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By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

June 3, 2015-After winning the Arch Capital Group Cup last June, the Lynbrook/East Rockaway Sting added to their trophy case by defeating another Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) team, the Garden City Rebels, 4-0, in the Boys-Under-12 State Open Cup final. This game for supremacy in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) was played on May 30 at Stringham Park in LaGrange.

Shai Azoulay scored two goals, Derek Rivera added another and Leo Guarino scored on a direct kick to give Lynbrook/East Rockaway the championship. Keeper Vincent O’Connell had the shutout in goal.

“It was a total team effort to give our squad the State Cup championship,” commented Lynbrook/East Rockaway coach Jim O’Connell. “Our boys play team-oriented soccer.”

Lynbrook/East Rockaway received a $2,000 check from Eastern New York to defray their costs during the National Championship Series. They will be playing in the Regionals from June 26 to 30 in Barboursville, West Virginia.

Garden City was awarded the Howard Rubenstein Sportsmanship Award for the fair play they demonstrated on the field. Now retired, Mr. Rubenstein was seemingly involved in every facet of New York soccer for decades and is a member of the Halls of Fame of Eastern New York, the US Amateur Soccer Association and the Long Island Junior Soccer League.

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. Members are affiliated with 11 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.

Ole Ole Ola! Massapequa Arsenal are National Champions!

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By Arthena Sherwood, Communications Associate, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

July 27, 2015–On Saturday July 25, the Massapequa Arsenal brought back the McGuire Cup to Eastern New York. The prestigious Under-19 Boys James P. McGuire Cup has not been won by a team from Eastern New York since 1959. Making this the first time in 56 years since a New York team has won the Cup. Our Massapequa Arsenal defeated the renowned St. Louis Scott Gallagher (MO), 3-1 at the US Youth Soccer National Championships. Massapequa Arsenal secured the game just 3 minutes in, while holding the 1-0 lead throughout the first half. St. Louis tied the game early in the second half, but slipped up twice after two penalty kicks in Massapequa's favor. Leaving the game at 3-1.

After playing together for 11 years (since they were 8 years old), winning Nationals was a great way end to youth soccer for Massapequa Arsenal. Such a well deserved WIN and a spectacular job!

 

 

 

Changing Times in the Youth Game: Should We Celebrate or Cry?

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September 2, 2015

Updated August 8, 2016

By Tim Bradbury, Director of Coaching Instruction, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

US Soccer has over the last four years introduced new licenses, new initiatives and new programs. Now in conjunction with the 55 Directors of Coaching and the state associations, they are introducing two vital changes that all clubs, whoever they are affiliated with, have been told they must follow. It is worth noting and stressing that these new rules and game formats IMPACT EVERYONE, there is no opting out and after the initial phase in period of time ALL ARE EXPECTED to follow.

The two mandatory initiatives that are described as BEST PRACTICES until August 2016 and mandatory by August 2017 are presented below.

INITIATIVE 1 – SMALL SIDED GAME PROGRESSION AND STANDARDS

The table below presents the progressions and standards that all youth Clubs must have in place by August 2017 and are suggested best practices by August 2016.

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The rationale for the move to the standard presented is supported by the overwhelming majority of soccer education experts in the country for the obvious reason that small-sided games on smaller fields equates to:

1. Enormous increase in number of touches per game and therefore increased skill development.

2. Field sizes and distances that their developing young bodies can actually deal with.

3. Tactical problems 2v1, 2v2 3v2 that their developing minds can cope with more readily than the chaos of 11v11.

4. More touches is more fun as it leads to more direct involvement in the game for all players.

The hidden agenda and one that I doubt will prove to be true is the belief that a move to the suggested progressions will somehow help to ensure that player development, as opposed to the win at all costs nature of the majority of youth games, starts to prevail.

Having recently been part of a good number of webinars as the new standards are introduced, I can honestly say that no one is going to scream and shout if a goal is 1 or 2 feet too big or too small or a field is three or four yards out in size. What is expected and demanded by US Soccer is that by 2017 the overriding principles contained within the SSG initiative are being followed.

Personally, I believe that standards are a good thing that will lead to greater player development, more fun for our players and as a consequence, more skillful players as they grow. I particularly like the idea of a “build out line” at the U9, U10 age to attempt to get this age group to play a possession-based game. I have concerns that the field size at this age 47 by 30 is a little small but overall I am willing to support and embrace change as I cannot help but believe that we can longer live with 70% leaving the sport by 13. Change must be tried and perhaps this move to small-sided games throughout the country will be the tipping point that the game drastically needs.  

The second part of the new initiatives regards age grouping for teams. The new rule is simple

INITIATIVE 2 – CALENDAR BIRTH YEAR REGISTRATION FOR ALL TEAMS

By August 2017 all teams must be formed on calendar birth year.

The simple objective of this change is to bring a uniform approach to youth and national team programs.

Birth-year registration calendars will now align with the start of the calendar year and run from January to December, rather than August to July as it had previously.

Although perhaps painful for a short while, this move to age group and birth year conformity is another much needed change that will help keep the US in line with the rest of the soccer playing world. This move will also ensure a level playing field across the states in tournaments and premier level leagues.

Any league or club official or interested soccer parent that would like a complete breakdown of both new initiatives can find the information at

http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2015/08/24/18/07/150824-coaching-player-development-initiatives-rel

Alternatively please feel free to contact me directly at directorofcoachinginstuction@enysoccer.com with any questions you may have.

 

 

 

Dix Hills Ultimatum Win Regionals By Scoring 25 Goals and Conceding Only 2

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Back row, left to right: Coach Olando Evans, Daniel Ospina, Owen Caraftis, Jose Bautista, Eldis Radoncic, Garfield Gillespie, Louis Pelo, Nathan Hough, Greg Ancona, Juan Mayoral, Dean Burchard
 
 
Front row, left to right: Ryan Narvaez, Brady Schmidt, Mathatix Tejera, Gavin Henninger, Jared Noble, Luke Copland, Aristeo Aniceto, Andrew Wicik, Manager Roberto Aniceto
 
 
 
By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
 
July 14, 2023-The Dix Hills Ultimatum won five games and tied one during Regionals in late June in Loudoun County, Virginia, outscoring their opponents 25 to 2 to win the Boys-Under-17 Regional championship. Their only tie, a 1-1 draw, came against another Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) team, the Massapequa Boltz.
 
Dix Hills will be representing Eastern New York at the Nationals from July 17 to 23 in Orlando as part of the National Championship Series.
 
"We were focused on two main characteristics going into the Regional tournament and that was to work harder than every team we faced and also to play with utmost confidence in each game, no matter who we played against. We knew this was our chance to make Nationals so we had to make it count,” coach Olando Evans stated. "The first game helped us to settle quickly after winning convincingly, 8-0, and that gave us the confidence to push on for the rest of the tournament." 
 
The Ultimatum team name came about as the coaches wanted an original name, an affiliated squad had the name Ultra in the 2005 boys age group so they came up with Ultimatum. The boys thought it was cool so they just went with that unique name.  
 
Coach Evans concluded, “To prepare for Nationals, our plan is the same as it was for the Regionals and that’s to go play a high level of attractive soccer and win games. We also want to enjoy the moment because we understand that this is a tremendous achievement for our club, players and coaches to be at this prestigious event. Our players are extremely excited to be there so we will prepare for the challenges ahead.”
 
With approximately 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. Members are affiliated with 10 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 Children With Special Needs. 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 onto http://www.enysoccer.com/

Rockville Centre Honored as Our April Club of the Month

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer RVC_logo_for_WebAssociation
 
April 14, 2021-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to honor the Rockville Centre Soccer Club, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2021, as our Club of the Month for April.
 
The club was founded in 1971 by Bob Livingstone and Peter Greenberg, the latter becoming the club’s first President. Greenberg also coached 60 kids, ages 6 to 10 that spring, along with coaches Peter Bralower and Joe Walsh, in an intramural program sponsored by the Department of Recreation and all games were played at the South Side Middle School. In the spring of 1972, Bralower and several South Side High School boys varsity players started training younger players, a tradition that continues to this day with the Kids Teaching Kids Summer Program.
 
The Rockville Centre club logo for the past two decades has had the initials of its four coaches killed on 9/11: Jim Cove, Ed Geraghty, Jim Geyer and Steve Tighe.
 
One reason that Rockville Centre is unique is it has the oldest Alumni Games in Eastern New York. They started over 50 years ago in the mid-1960s, before the club was even founded, when the graduates from South Side boys team got together and it has evolved into a club-run event organized by Bralower that is played on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. That date is selected as alumni are home for the holidays.
 
Another way that the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) club is special is through its TOPSoccer Program, which was started in 1998 by Jim Nesdill and Eileen Votke. Jim had been driving his son Bryan to other towns every weekend to play soccer before starting a program in Rockville Centre. He and Eileen worked together for 10 years and the TOPSoccer Program is now run by Bob Beaudet.
 
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TOPSoccer players and their teenage buddies at the Covert School
 

Today under the direction of club President Mike Perna, over 1,200 players, equally divided between boys and girls, play for the Rockville Centre Soccer Club. The club retains a strong community focus with an intramural program featuring players from five public elementary schools and one private school, promoting friendships throughout the village. Those who have worn the club’s red-and-white colors include Women’s World Cup champion Crystal Dunn, former US Women’s National team player Kim Conway Hale, former US Soccer Presidential candidate Michael Winograd and Denver Nuggets coach Mike Malone.

 
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US Women’s National Team player Crystal Dunn with some of her local fans at the Rockville Centre Sports Complex.
 
With approximately 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. Members are affiliated with nine 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 Children With Special Needs. 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. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

11 New State Referee Assessors Registered By Eastern New York

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.
 

East Northport’s Harlan Grossman Chosen as the Eastern New York Young Referee of the Year

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
 
December 5, 2013-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Harlan Grossman has been selected as our Young Referee of the Year.
 
The 17-year-old East Northport resident played for the Elwood Soccer Club for six years, then took up the whistle as an intramural referee. But Harlan’s desire to excel drove him to take US Soccer’s certification course, scoring the highest grade in the class. He also scores in the high 90’s on recertification tests which is not surprising considering that he is the standing valedictorian at John Glenn High School.
 
"He volunteered to spend a weekend recruiting new referee candidates at the Long Island Junior Soccer League Convention. His professionalism, knowledge and enthusiasm attracted many candidates," Long Island Soccer Referees Association President Cathy Caldwell said. "Harlan also volunteers to mentor referees on weekends when he is not officiating a game."
 
Somehow, he finds the time to be Habitat for Humanity President, newspaper editor, tennis captain and Mathletes captain at John Glenn in addition to all this refereeing.
 
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.