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

March 3, 2015-From the East End of Long Island to the Canadian border, the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is by far the largest soccer organization in registered players because of a positive and safe environment we emphasize for children, our innovative and inclusive programs for players of all skill levels plus our fiscal responsibility. We are fiscally fit and because of this, we are able to offer more programs for less fees to our members than other organizations.

At Eastern New York’s General Meeting on February 23 in Nanuet, the independent auditing and consulting firm Loeb & Troper LLP reviewed the financials and reported that Eastern New York is firmly in the black.

“I stated that when I became President in 2010, we would bring fiscal responsibility to Eastern New York and I believe that our Board of Directors has done exactly that,” commented Eastern New York President Richard Christiano.

Slightly more than half of Eastern New York’s 100,000 registered players are intramural players. Our registration fee for every intramural player is $6 while any other soccer organizations start at $10 and go up for their intramural players.

Additionally, to continue to emphasize player safety and keep our insurance costs down, Eastern New York recently purchased the At Peak app and is offering it free to all our players. Endorsed by professional athletes, including former Eastern New York ODP player and current U.S. Women’s National Team member Crystal Dunn, the At Peak app delivers strength and conditioning exercises and video workouts, specific to age, gender and sport, that are designed by medical professionals for youth athletes. The app comes with exercise videos demonstrating proper form and has a social platform where teammates can interact.

Research shows that a 20-minute workout twice per week can help reduce sports injuries by 50%. Using the At Peak app, players as young as eight can build a base of strength and conditioning to reduce injury while coaches and parents could participate and monitor progress.

Lower fees and our continued emphasis on player safety are two reasons why Eastern New York has been the gold standard for youth soccer since 1972.

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.

Since 1919, Tranquillity Camp has opened its doors to deserving boys and girls.  Nestled on 1000 acres at the foothills of the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York, they have become a summer home to children ages 7 through 15. 

For more information select here for the Open House Locations and Times and Camp Brochure.

 

Stanislev Mitev on left accepting the Silver Whistle Award
with LISRA President Cathy Caldwell on the right

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

December 22, 2015-The Long Island Soccer Referee Association (LISRA) has been faithfully serving the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) and Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) for over four decades. LISRA became an independent organization in 1971, as youth soccer was starting its exponential growth, and it has been assigning referees for all LIJSL games plus ENYYSA games played on Long Island ever since. Every year, LISRA covers an amazing 20,000 travel team soccer games played on Long Island.

At the LISRA Holiday Party at the James E. Allen Elementary School in Dix Hills on December 10, LISRA honored some of its top referees while its membership made a $1,212 donation to the Wounded Warrior Project, an appropriate number considering it was in the 12th month of the year and before the 12 Days of Christmas.

“We all do what we can to help one another,” stated LISRA President Cathy Caldwell. “Our lives are definitely richer by working with one another.”

LISRA’s Silver Whistle Award, for excellence in officiating, went to Stanislav Mitev of Staten Island.

“Stan’s knowledge of the game, demeanor and how he deals with coaches are exemplary,” commented President Caldwell.

The Referee of the Year, the LISRA award going to the experienced ref who has given the most to the organization, went to Brightwaters’ Jean-Marie Maio. In accepting, Maio said, “I love working with everyone and I particularly love being at the Peter Collins Soccer Park and helping our young refs.”

The Rising Star Award was given to Jennifer Vincent of Sayville. Central Islip’s Dan Rodriguez was honored with the Emrys Joseph Rookie Referee of the Year Award. Joseph was a very personable LISRA ref and member of the Board of Directors who passed away 25 years ago and this award has been given annually in his honor since.

Of the 966 LISRA assistant referees, Noah Nekrutman of Stony Brook and Amanda Ehrhart from Patchogue received the Mario Boltri Assistant Referee of the Year Award as the best AR’s on Long Island. Boltri was a former LISRA President who created the chapter’s wildly successful assistant referee program more than a decade ago. Nekrutman and Ehrhart received the highest marks from the referees who grade the AR’s after every LIJSL game.

AR’s also receiving very high marks and who were honored by LISRA that night were Brandon Cabrol, Alexandra Ehrhart, Richard Flory, Michael Lerner, Brandon Licorish, Chris Mroczko, Oscar Salguero, Ben Vitale, Max Vitale, Kelly Wilson and Gregory Zarb.

LISRA longevity awards went to Freeport’s Ken Heller, 32 years in the chapter, and Williston Park’s Ely Beyrouty, 30 years in the chapter.

Heller, who officiated professional games before the kick-off of Major League Soccer, said, “I just want to thank everybody at LISRA. It’s been a fun ride and it will continue for a little bit more.”

Beyrouty echoed those comments. He said, “It’s been a wonderful and rewarding 30 years. My wife asked me what drives me to do several games a weekend and I told her that I forget my problems and it’s like entering a garden whenever I ref.”

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.

 

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
 
June 13, 2018-In a marathon soccer game played at the Peter Collins Soccer Park in Plainview on June 9, Lake Grove/Newfield Tsunami of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) topped the LaGrange Chazers of the East Hudson Youth Soccer League (EHYSL), 4-3, in overtime to win the Girls-Under-19 State Open Cup. This game was for the Barbara Rodriguez Cup, named for the Northport resident who volunteered as State Cup Chairperson for 23 years from 1992 to 2014.

Clare O’Connor, Carly Davis and Erin Peyton scored Lake Grove/Newfield’s goals during regulation. Caleigh Bennett started the celebrations by scoring the game-winner on a 20-yard shot at the end of the second overtime period.

LaGrange did not return home to Duchess County empty-handed as they received the Rocco Amoroso Sportsmanship Award, as determined by the game officials. Amoroso, a US Soccer Life Member who died in 2016, started the LIJSL Sportsmanship Program in 1980 and it spread to Eastern New York, nationally and then to China and Ireland, and in the process, made soccer games kinder and gentler.

Lake Grove/Newfield will represent the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) at the Regionals from June 29 to July 3 in Spotsylvania, Virginia as part of the National Championship Series.
 
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 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/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.
 

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

May 25, 2016-Much of the success of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), since our inception in 1972, can be attributed to our great coaches and administrators.

”We are taking this opportunity to again remind you of the importance of recognizing those volunteers, coaches and TOPSoccer buddies without whom we would not be able to provide the wonderful soccer experience our youngsters enjoy,” said ENYYSA Recognition Committee Chairperson Ken Gulmi. ”We continue to solicit nominations for a variety of awards designed to demonstrate our appreciation for the hours ofdevotion these valued individuals donate to the kids.”
 
Therefore, Eastern New York is asking, well in advance, that each member league turn their attention inwards to their volunteers and make an effort to recognize those whose contributions have truly been outstanding. Eastern New York will select a person in each category who will receive not only our recognition, but will also be forwarded as our candidate for additional recognition at the Regional and National level.
 
The nominations MUST be on a specific form and completed as comprehensively as possible or they cannot be considered. These forms can be found at this online address:
 
http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/Workshop/GalaAwards/
 
Nominations must be received at the Eastern New York office on or before August 1, 2016 to be considered and should reflect the current season. The address is Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association, 265 Sunrise Highway, Suite 38, Rockville Centre, NY 11570.
 
Awards will be presented in the following categories:
 
Girls Travel Coach of The Year
Boys Travel Coach Of The Year
Girls Recreational Coach of The Year
Boys Recreational Coach Of The Year
Volunteer of The Year
Administrator of The Year
TOPSoccer Buddy of The Year
 
”Please take this opportunity to say thanks to your members through this great program!” Gulmi concluded.

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 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 on to http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.

Photo of Andres Estrada at the 1998 World Cup

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

May 15, 2014-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very proud of both our Olympic Development Program (ODP) and ODP coach Andres Estrada, who was on the Colombian team that competed in the 1998 World Cup in France.

“ODP takes pride in recruiting coaches of the highest caliber,” commented ODP South Chairperson Burt Wilkes. “We have several college coaches but Andres gives us another dimension.”  

Born in Medellin, the silky midfielder represented his native country in both the 1998 World Cup in France and the 1987 Boys-Under-20 World Cup in Chile. In Colombia, he played for Deportivo Cali from 1987 to 1997 (becoming national champions in 1996), for Club Atletico Nacional from 1998 to 2001 (becoming a champion again in 1999) and for Atletico Bucaramanga in 2001 before coming to the United States to play for the Long Island Rough Riders from 2004 to 2006 as his playing career was winding down.

“I came to the United States because there was more opportunity here,” Andres stated. The Bay Shore resident is currently the coach of the 2001 Boys South ODP team and has received his National C Coaching License.

“Andres is a very dedicated and reliable coach plus a great person. We in Eastern New York are very fortunate that he helps develop our young players,” said ODP Technical Director Jose Luis Rebay.

Andres came to the U.S. to play for the Rough Riders the same time as his Colombia teammate, Wilmer Cabrera. Wilmer also went into coaching when he hung up his cleats and coached Eastern New York ODP, the Huntington Boys Club of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), B/W Gottschee of the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL) and then the United States Boys-Under-17 National Youth Team. He is now the head coach of Chivas USA in Major League Soccer.

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 11 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.

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

July 17, 2018-The Eastern New York Young Olympians/Red Bulls Program was created this year through a partnership between the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) and the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer. The program provides Eastern New York’s 11 affiliated youth leagues the opportunity to send its best players to train in the Eastern New York/Red Bulls program, providing a connection between Eastern New York and its more than 100,000 local players, and the New York Red Bull Youth Programs.

Hopefully, one day kids who grew up as Young Olympians will play for the Red Bulls.

But although the Young Olympians program has just kicked off and is for players preparing to play in Eastern New York’s Olympic Development Program (ODP), six current Red Bulls––head coach Chris Armas and five players from all over Eastern New York––grew up playing youth soccer in ENYYSA:

“It’s great to see so many local players in MLS, particularly on the Red Bulls,” commented ENYYSA President Richard Christiano. “We hope to see even more of our players who grew up in Eastern New York on MLS teams 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. 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 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 on to http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
 
June 8, 2016-The Girls-Under-14 Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) State Open Cup final was an intriguing encounter between the West Islip Wildcats of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) and Staten Island United Hotshots of the Staten Island Youth Soccer League (SIYSL) and Eastern New York Premier League (ENYPL).
 
West Islip wound up victorious, 2-0, behind second half goals by Jaden Hampel and Amanda Librizzi. Goalkeeper Jillian Radesca had the shutout in goal during the June 4 title game under sunny skies at Stringham Park in LaGrange.
 
“We were outplayed the first half but we came out in the second half and would not be stopped,” West Islip coach Lori Meyers stated.

West Islip also received the Howard Rubenstein Sportsmanship Award as determined by the game officials. Now living in Kentucky, 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 LIJSL.
 
West Islip will be representing Eastern New York when they play in Regionals, as part of the National Championship Series, from June 30 to July 5 in Barboursville, West Virginia and Eastern New York will help pay for their costs.
 
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 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/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.
 

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

I read a huge amount of quality articles and books. It is part of the daily life of a State DOC (Director of Coaching) or enthusiastic soccer educator. I am lucky in the fact that all of my professional duties revolve around coaching, parent and player education. The last few months, I saw two interesting events collide at the same time, both linked and one highlighting the weakness and flaws in the other.

I thought I would share.

Event one was initiated by my attendance at this year’s NSCAA Convention when I purchased a copy of Carol Dweck’s book. Dweck was one of the speakers who had been recommended to me by Sam Snow as a must listen to deal if I got the chance.

I highly recommend the book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, as a must read for any soccer educator. At its core, the book seeks to illuminate some simple truths:

By Tim Bradbury, Director of Coaching Instruction

Sometimes youth soccer appears to be just a collection of problems with several of the key groups often looking to blame each other for the next issue that arises. In my newsletter last month I took great care to both applaud soccer parents and try to help them understand how important their voice can and must be. 

Youth soccer is an enormous multi-million dollar industry which, thanks to the wisdom of the godfathers at US Soccer now has more leagues, cups and tournaments than there are fans at the average Red Bull game.  There are several key areas where this proliferation of governing youth bodies is generating more harm than good.  Easily the most visible, understandable and simply ludicrous is in the number of games that a youth player is now expected to play in a season.  Several teams within our state with uneducated trainers at the lead and slightly insane team managers ( the role that the parent coach really takes on) are now playing in the following this Spring season: