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By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
 
June 14, 2016-The Smithtown Arsenal are one of the best teams in Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) history, winning three State Open Cups, two Regional titles and the 2013 Boys-Under-16 national championship. In the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) Boys-Under-19 final on June 11, Smithtown shut out another LIJSL team, Bayport United, 3-0.

Matt McDonnell scored two goals and Chris Hettler added one to give Smithtown the victory with keeper Nick Giordano getting the shutout in goal.

“We’ve become more of a turf team so we had to adjust to playing on this grass field,” commented Smithtown coach Tom Lips. “Positionally, we were pretty solid and know each other well as these kids have been playing together for the past decade."

It’s fitting that this game was played at the Peter Collins Soccer Park in Plainview as the teams were competing for the Peter Collins Cup, going to Boys-Under-19 champs in Eastern New York. Peter is a Bethpage resident and U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer who volunteered as President of the LIJSL from 1977 to 2004, a period during which the league tripled in size. On his watch, the LIJSL became the first league to start a program for Children With Special Needs, a high school soccer showcase and a soccer convention. Additionally, Peter coached the Hicksville Minutemen to the Boys-Under-19 national finals and was on hand, with his family, at the soccer fields named in his honor to personally give Smithtown the Peter Collins Cup.

Last year’s Peter Collins Cup holders, also named Arsenal (Massapequa Arsenal), went on to win Regionals and the prestigious McGuire Cup for the Boys-Under-19 national title. The cup has been awarded to the Boys-Under-19 champs for every year since 1935, with the exception of the break taken during World War II.
 
Smithtown will be representing Eastern New York in the Regional championship 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 Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

June 5, 2014-Two first half headers by Matt Barressi and Armand Kibria were the only goals that the Dix Hills Hurricanes of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) needed in their 2-0 victory over B/W Gottschee 99 Blue of the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL). The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) Boys-Under-14 State Open Cup final was played on Saturday, May 31 at Stringham Park in LaGrange.

Dix Hills’ keeper, Mark DePasquale, had the shutout in goal.

“We took advantage of our opportunities in the first half,” Dix Hills coach Jose Luis Rebay said. “We controlled most of the game and kept pushing the play.”

Dix Hills received a $2,000 check from Eastern New York to defer the costs of playing in the Regionals from June 26 to July 1 in Kingston, Rhode Island.

B/W Gottschee received the Howard Rubenstein Sportsmanship Award as selected by the match officials. 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 LIJSL.

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. 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 30, 2017-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 plus TOPSoccer coaches and 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 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/

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 Coach of The Year

TOPSoccer Buddy of The Year 

Nominations must be received at the Eastern New York office on or before August 1, 2017 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. 

”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 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
 
June 22, 2016-Three goals toward the end of the second half made the difference as Westchester Flames 03 of the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL) defeated New York Kids of the Big Apple Youth Soccer League (BAYSL), 4-1, to win the Boys-Under-12 Eastern New York Premier League (ENYPL) title. This Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) championship game was played on Saturday, June 18 at the Peter Collins Soccer Park in Plainview.
 
“Our conditioning made the difference,” commented Westchester coach Joao DeSouza. “I specialize in conditioning with my players.”
 
Daniel Bench, Tyler Chang, Augustin DeArmas and N’flany Mara scored for Westchester with Kevin Hernandez scoring a 30-yard golazo off the post for New York Kids.
 
The ENYPL, the Gateway to Regional Play, is the oldest continuous Premier League in the United States and is 16 years old in 2016.
 
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 teenagersbetween 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 turnedaway. 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

March 12, 2019-Four longtime volunteers who have made a huge difference on Long Island soccer fields for decades––John Davis, Gary Kofsky, Diana Riccardi and Robert Walters––were inducted into the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Hall of Fame on Friday night, March 8 at the Huntington Hilton. The festivities were all part of the 37th Annual LIJSL Convention, one of the largest soccer conventions in the world.

LIJSL President Anthony Maresco commented, “The LIJSL is very grateful for the dedication John, Gary, Diana and Robert have given to their respective clubs and we are honored to induct them into the LIJSL Hall of Fame.”

John Davis kicked off his career with the East Islip Soccer Club in 1998 when he started coaching daughter Kelly’s Girls-Under-5 team. After Kelly and sister Jenna graduated from youth soccer, he continued coaching, becoming a member of the East Islip Board of Directors in the process and holding every position on the board including club President. John never gave up until the task was complete, including late at night mowing or lining the fields with his car headlights showing the way. For four years, he volunteered as Tournament Director of the East Islip Fall Classic, turning it back into one of the largest tourneys on Long Island with over 300 teams. He found similar success with East Islip’s indoor tourney in his six years in charge, increasing the number of teams to over 100, and organized the Soccer for Sandy Tournament to benefit Hurricane Sandy victims. Additionally, he hired Ronan Wiseman as Director of Coaching to rival (some would say surpass) the expensive offerings of pay-to-play academies.

Gary Kofsky is a lifelong resident of West Islip and he was a soccer player and chess champion at West Islip High School. While still a high school student, he received a taste of coaching when he volunteered as assistant coach of the first West Islip Soccer Club girls team. Three decades later, Gary has coached all five Kofsky kids in soccer, basketball, softball and baseball, taking a team to the Little League World Series. Since the early 1990’s, he has served on the West Islip Board of Directors, including as club President for over 20 years. Under his leadership, the West Islip Soccer Club grew to over 1,600 children, started a TOPSoccer Special Children’s Program and has hosted the largest indoor soccer tourney on Long Island, the Adam Novellano Memorial Tournament, with over 300 teams. Along with his kids, Gary founded SOFA (Score One For All), providing sports uniforms and equipment to orphanages in underserved countries.

Diana Riccardi has been involved with the New Hyde Park Wildcats Soccer Club since the 1990’s when she volunteered as a coach in the intramural program, assisting her husband John. In 1997, Diana was the newspaper editor for the club, then joined the Board of Directors in 2001. She was so efficient and computer savvy as Boys Intramural Commissioner that she also became the club’s Registrar and Game Scheduler, becoming one of the first clubs to process registration and payment online. Diana was the Secretary for several years and stepped up to become club President in 2006 when the Vice President retired and the President suddenly resigned, yet she continued to serve as Registrar and Game Scheduler. Under her leadership, the Wildcats added a Micro Program for ages four and five, a developmental program for intramurals and a college scholarship program. And if all that is not enough, she is the Secretary of the Town of North Hempstead Soccer Advisory Committee.

Robert Walters has volunteered on the Baldwin Eagles Soccer Club Board of Directors since the late 1970’s, even though he never had any kids of his own. He has served as a coach during this entire time, for both boys and girls, travel teams and intramurals. His focus is on fundamentals and his players and he always teaches sportsmanship, teamwork, discipline and respect. There were several years when Robert singlehandedly lined every field in Baldwin and he was at the fields from sunrise to sunset every Saturday and Sunday. In 2006, Robert began to experience the symptoms of what became a chronic disability for him, forcing him to retire as a Physical Education teacher. Although he is no longer able to run the fields with his players, he teaches them in his own style from the touchline without any loss of respect from the children.

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 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 Association. For more information, please log onto http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.

Some of the directors of the Eastern New York Referee Program. From left to right,
Consalvo Turchi, Klaus Mueller, Enrico Romano, John Sengelaub and Felipe Russi

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

March 10, 2014-Here we grow again! Just like the number of soccer games, the referee program serving the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) and Eastern New York State Adult Soccer Association continues to grow.

A year ago, Eastern New York had 3,250 registered refs and that number has increased 31% to 4,250 today. Reasons for this large increase include the innovative leadership of the Eastern New York Referee Program, the support of both the youth and adult associations plus the large number of referee certification classes being held this winter.

“Through the support of Eastern New York Youth President Richard Christiano and State Adult President Sal Rapaglia, we have grown our referee program considerably,” commented State Referee Administrator (SRA) Enrico Romano.

After referees pass the certification class, they start at the Beginner Level officiating at their local club. Eastern New York provides mentoring and tutoring at this pivotal juncture in their careers.

Refs can move up to the Advanced Level. The nine referee districts of Eastern New York mold these refs, getting them ready for the Elite Level with the hope that some will officiate the professional leagues plus the World Cup and Olympics one day.

“Eastern New York has eight National Referees, four of whom are officiating pro games,” said State Director of Assessment Klaus Mueller. “Seven candidates are currently going for their national badge and we wish them all the best.”

For information about a referee certification course in your area, please contact SRA Romano at roma7779@aol.com

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. 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 18, 2018-The Lake Grove/Newfield Dynamite, ranked #1 in the state, have added the Boys-Under-15 State Open Cup title to their overflowing trophy case. 

Lake Grove/Newfield shut out Commack United, 1-0, in the final between two Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) teams on June 14 at the Peter Collins Soccer Park in Plainview. As Boys-Under-15 state champions, they received the Ray Wolfe Cup, named after a man who gave tirelessly of himself for decades as a player, coach, referee and administrator. In the last decade of his life, the Franklin Square resident served Eastern New York as State Youth Referee Administrator (SYRA).

“We’ve been battling Commack for years. As good as they are, we benefitted from playing the top teams in the country,” explained Lake Grove/Newfield coach Tim Graham. “I could not be prouder of our team.”

Lake Grove/Newfield was also crowned Eastern New York Premier League (ENYPL) champions last month.

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.

1. The customer is always right.
2. I have been to school, played the sport and therefore have a great expertise in it as well.
3. We have always done it this way.

1. Developmentally inappropriate material being presented.
2. Great distress for the educators asked to present the material.
3. Discomfort, boredom or sadness for the players/pupils participating.
4. The chance that future learning may be negatively impacted by the demands being made. The teaching to the test syndrome. Specifically in soccer terms the danger that a tryout plagued with stationary technical testing may lead to sessions full of the same being taught as test preparation time.