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By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
 
February 21, 2017-For the second consecutive year, the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) held our “Love the Game” Giveaway from February 1 to Valentine’s Day. As the contest was conducted on Eastern New York’s very popular social media sites, people entered by liking, sharing, commenting or retweeting on a post.

“We would like to thank all those players, coaches, referees, administrators and fans who participated in our Love the Game Giveaway as well as our sponsors who donated in making it a success. Congratulations to all 14 winners,” commented Eastern New York President Richard Christiano.

Here’s to the winners:

February 1-One Score Sports pop-up goal: Taner Ceylan, Lynbrook/East Rockaway SC player, Long Island Junior Soccer League

February 2-One season of AT PEAK Soccer for a team (@ $10 per player and 15 players): Sarah Nagel, Sachem SC player, Long Island Junior Soccer League

February 3-Score Sports backpack and Eastern New York Soccer Ball: Christine Coniglio, Auburndale SC administrator, Long Island Junior Soccer League

February 4-One ticket voucher for five to be redeemed for any 2017 New York Cosmos home game: Dakota Quick, Kingston SC player, East Hudson Youth Soccer League

February 5-One “Love the Game” Sports Pins International Inc. crystal plaque: Grace Kennedy, Fishkill SC player, East Hudson Youth Soccer League

February 6-One Score Sports pop-up goal: Sean Goodman, Hyde Park SC player, East Hudson Youth Soccer League (pictured above)

February 7-One free entry to NYC Cup for a boys or girls elite level team: Mark Nash, Stony Brook SC coach, Long Island Junior Soccer League

February 8-Four tickets to New York Red Bulls home game of winner’s choice: Marc DePasquale, Dix Hills SC player, Long Island Junior Soccer League

February 9-Score Sports backpack and Eastern New York Soccer Ball: Graham Knowles, Colonie SC coach, Capital District Youth Soccer League

February 10-One quad chair with cooler and beach umbrella: Amberly Len, Halfmoon SC player, Capital District Youth Soccer League

February 11-One “Love the Game” Sports Pins International Inc. crystal plaque: Grace Healy, Lindenhurst SC player, Long Island Junior Soccer League

February 12-One ticket voucher for five to be redeemed for any 2017 New York Cosmos home game: Taras Kosciolek, Rondout SC player, East Hudson Youth Soccer League

February 13-One FIFA ’17 PS4 video game and one Eastern New York scarf: Christopher Maloney, Waterford FC coach, Capital District Youth Soccer League

February 14-Six tickets and one parking pass to US Soccer She Believes Cup: Jessica Logan, Great Kills SC player, Staten Island Youth 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.

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

I never thought I would write about throw-ins. With so many interesting and challenging topics within youth soccer to discuss, I just never thought throw-ins would make it into my monthly coaching article.

Yet here I am. I must confess that I have sleepless nights about this most common restart in soccer. I know this may seem crazy so let me explain. 

I have watched thousands of games of all ages. During these matches, I have seen coaches of a variety of backgrounds all at different stages of their coaching development projectory and for the most part, all would proudly claim, “I’m in for the kids and put skill development before winning.” 

Yet as soon as the ball goes out, the command is simple no matter what the scenario on the field, “throw it down the line.” A quick glance down the field confirms the insanity of the order, one attacker surrounded by five defenders with zero chance of retaining the ball or forming an attack. I have started to think there is some secret society determined to one day change the Laws of the Game where throw-ins that gain ground, even if the other team gets the ball, become worthy of goals.

Let us set the record straight as this will never happen. A throw-in should be a means for a team to keep the ball, hopefully with good attacking shape built into the moment and to start to form an attack. It should also be a player-centered moment where the player taking the throw should be allowed to make an intelligent decision without a coach or some overzealous parents all shouting about what he or she should do. Yet I see hundreds of intelligent kids with a good understanding of the game ordered to throw the ball to the other team. 

Perhaps it is the skill sets involved in the ball retention piece, the quality and technique of the throw-in or the advanced skill of dealing with a flighted pass. (Yes, a throw-in is a pass with the hands.) The ability to receive the ball in the air, clean it quickly and get it on the ground in a position you can use or pass to a teammate in space. Perhaps these are things that coaches struggle to teach. 

The basic tactical piece, I must be honest, seems more like common sense is that a throw-in should be a means to keep the ball. Most kids can tell you (a) which of their teammates is close enough to throw it to and (b) which one of them is in the biggest space. Please allow them to figure these two things out and make a decision. 

Impossible to write about the throw-in conundrum without discussing development. There is a time when throw-ins are not helpful and hurt the quality of the game being played. Unless they are at an age and position in terms of their skill mastery where they can deal with a flighted ball (good throw-in) or bouncing balls (not so good throw-in), a throw-in just leads to a mess. 

As a suggestion based upon the following progression of skill mastery that I suggest:

Dribbling, moves, passing, pass to yourself first touch, striking the ball, dealing with balls in the air… I believe that the decision on when to introduce throw-ins is one that needs to be carefully considered. Until players can deal with a flighted or bouncing ball, perhaps a pass in or dribble in is more helpful. Food for thought?

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/

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

December 31, 2018-Longtime soccer referee Saam Jalayer has three things to celebrate tomorrow as it’s New Year’s Day, it’s also his birthday and he becomes President of the New York Metro Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association (NYMISOA) as well. NYMISOA was founded in 1964 and it’s a referee organization made up of nearly 100 college refs in New York City, Long Island and Westchester.

The Smithtown resident was elected President in an election back in August and he succeeds John Puglisi, who served as NYMISOA President for the past dozen years, did not seek re-election as he has been President of the national body of college refs, NISOA, for the past two years.

Saam is a native of Tehran whose family moved to the Iranian town of Motelghoo on the Caspian Sea when he was five years old in 1980 as the Iranian capital was being bombed during the Iran-Iraq War. His introduction to soccer came playing pick-up soccer in the front yard of the family’s house in Motelghoo.

The Jalayer family moved to Long Island when Saam was nine years old and, as a young immigrant, Saam continued to play pick-up soccer and found a team to play on in school ball at Shoreham-Wading River Middle School and later at Shoreham-Wading River High School. He also played collegiate soccer at Stony Brook University.

Saam has been an Assistant District Attorney for Suffolk County during the past 14 years. It was very early in this job that he was introduced to refereeing.

“I was working in the DA’s office, conferencing a case, and the defense attorney was a high school soccer ref, Harry Tilis, which I found out in a discussion when we approached the bench,“ Saam explained, “I was interested and took the high school referee certification course in 2005.” 

Saam then became certified as a US Soccer ref a year later in a course taught by Joe Danbusky and started officiating many Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) and Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) games. It was a quick move up the ladder as his assessments were excellent and he refereed Regionals, and later the 2009 Olympic Development Program (ODP) Nationals.

Saam became a college ref in 2010, joining NYMISOA and was selected by a vote of members as the NYMISOA Assistant Referee of the Year in 2011.

Regarding his goals for the chapter he will be leading starting tomorrow, Saam stated, “I want NYMISOA to continue on the path that John Puglisi has started, which is being an inclusive resource for all college refs, both young and old, and help them to fulfill their potential. Working with the national body, NISOA, I would like to continue to make the chapter better.” 

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 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

April 11, 2017-The United States Women’s National Team, defending World Cup champs, defeated Russia twice in the past week with six of the nine goals being scored by players who refined their skills in the Olympic Development Program (ODP) of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA).

The USA shut out Russia, 4-0, on April 6 in Frisco, Texas with all the goals scored by New Yorkers. Allie Long scored two goals as did Crystal Dunn.

Dunn picked up right where she left off three days later, adding two more goals to lead the United States to a 5-1 victory over Russia on April 9 in Houston. She was also brought down by Russia’s Ksenia Kovalenko which led to a penalty kick, converted by Carli Lloyd in the 20th minute, for the first goal of the game.

Dunn, currently competing for Chelsea in England, grew up a short corner kick from the Eastern New York office in Rockville Centre, received the 2012 Hermann Award as college soccer’s best player and was the 2015 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Most Valuable Player. She spent her formative years in the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), playing for the Rockville Centre Power, Rockville Centre Tornadoes and Albertson Fury ‘91. She is also a spokesperson for the At Peak educational app, which Eastern New York has provided to its players to prevent injuries.

Long, from East Northport in the Town of Huntington, played for three LIJSL club teams––the Northport/Cow Harbor Mustangs, Oceanside Express and the Albertson Express, winning four consecutive State Open Cup titles with the Express. She now plays professionally for the NWSL’s Portland Thorns.

“It’s very exciting to follow the careers of these two great players from Eastern New York and know that ODP contributed to their development,“ commented Eastern New York ODP Chairperson Jim Volpe.

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 16, 2015-The Boys-Under-19 State Open Cup final between Massapequa Arsenal of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) and Kosmos Greek-Americans of the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL) had an unusual aspect as all three goal scorers were named Nick. Niko Psaras scored on a 10-yard blister midway through the first half for Kosmos. Nicholas Cestaro responded on a header for Massapequa in the second half and Nicholas Christiansen scored toward the end of regulation, just in the nick of time, to give Massapequa a 2-1 win and their third State Open Cup title.

“I think we were the fitter of the two teams and we had more heart and desire,” commented Massapequa coach Tobias Bischof.

It’s fitting that this game played on Saturday, June 13 was at the Peter Collins Soccer Park in Plainview as the teams were competing for the new Peter Collins Cup, going to Boys-Under-19 champs in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA). 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 LIJSL tripled in size. On his watch, the LIJSL became the first league to start a Special Children’s Program, a high school soccer showcase and a soccer convention. Additionally, Peter coached the Hicksville Minutemen to the Boys-Under-19 national finals.

The three-time champs from Massapequa 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.

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
 
August 1, 2014-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Quentin Sathasivam of Valley Stream is receiving a Livio D’Arpino Scholarship.

Quentin played defender for Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) teams East Meadow Arsenal, Albertson Academy and Long Island United Anfield. He also played in the Eastern New York Olympic Development Program (ODP) in 2010 and 2011 and for Region 1 ODP in ‘11 and ‘12.

Quentin played varsity soccer at Valley Stream North High School since the 9th Grade and also ran track for four years and was a wrestler for one year. He also was on the Honor Roll for three years and played tuba in the high school band for six years. He volunteered at Franklin General Hospital and J&S Day Care plus is a youth soccer referee.

Quentin wrote in his essay, “I believe that finding any way to give back to the beautiful sport is vital. Having the ability to now train younger kids about the key values of soccer as well as life is making a huge impact on me. As a US Soccer referee, I see and experience the game at an entirely different level. These experiences demonstrate that although we always want to win while playing, respecting your teammates, coaches and referees should always be your first priority.”

The scholarship’s namesake, Livio D’Arpino, was an Eastern New York Vice President who was involved in seemingly every level of local soccer before his untimely passing in 2002.

Congratulations to Quentin as he gets ready to study and play at Adelphi University in Garden City this fall.

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.