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By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
 
May 30, 2018-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) congratulates the Lynbrook/East Rockaway Sting of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) as they captured the Boys-Under-16 championship of the Eastern New York Premier League (ENYPL) this spring.

Lynbrook/East Rockaway accomplished this feat with a record of 5 wins, 0 losses and one ties, which includes a 4-2 final victory in double overtime over Chernomorets Black Sea of the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL).

The ENYPL is the oldest continuous Premier League in the United States and is playing in its 18th year in 2018. Under the direction of ENYPL Chairperson Andreas Touros, teams from eight member leagues from all over Eastern New York formed the ENYPL for the 2018 Spring Season.
  
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 

September 29, 2021-The Big Apple Youth Soccer League (BAYSL) was founded by Luis Montoya in 1997 to serve the growing number of soccer families who recently arrived in New York City. 

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/

December 16, 2020-The Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), the largest league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), has announced Jessica Lee as the 2020 recipient of the Marg McGory TOPSoccer Volunteer of the Year award. The announcement came during the LIJSL’s General Meeting held on December 8 and due to ongoing restrictions, the meeting was held virtually, the first General Meeting to be conducted as such in the league’s 55-year existence.

“Very poised, great young lady, who gives her heart and soul to her community and to the TOPSoccer players there,” stated the League’s Managing Director, Steve Padaetz, upon making the announcement recognizing Jessica as this year’s recipient.

This recognition completes an amazing year for Jessica, first named the TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year by ENYYSA at our Holiday Party last December. That was followed by being named the East Region TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year and then the US Youth Soccer National TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year at a gala held in Baltimore in January.

“I believe that all kids should have the same opportunities in life,” Jessica explained. “TOPSoccer helps make that happen. Seeing the players every week and their faces full of excitement, ready to play soccer, never fails to put a smile on my face.”

After her family started the West Hempstead Chiefs’ program, Lee has been involved with the program for nine years. Playing since she was three, the now 17-year-old plays with the LIJSL’s Garden City Park Shooting Stars, as well as on the varsity team at Kellenberg High School. She served as Kellenberg’s team’s captain this past fall season.

The LIJSL plans to recognize Jessica in a private ceremony at the league offices in Ronkonkoma early next year with her family in attendance.

TOPSoccer, The Outreach Program for Soccer, is a community-based program to give children and young adults with physical and/or intellectual challenges the chance to play the world’s most popular sport. LIJSL clubs were the first in the entire world to start what is now known as a TOPSoccer Program when the Huntington Boys Club (HBC) and Massapequa Soccer Club separately started programs in 1978 at a time when those with challenges playing sports was not nearly as accepted as it is today.

Marg McGory, for whom the annual award is named, was a long-time advocate for those with Special Needs. Associated with the Diocese of Rockville Centre, she secured the Marydale field complex in Melville when the newly formed league TOPSoccer program quickly outgrew its first home, the John Allen Developmental Center in Huntington.

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

June 10, 2015-The Dix Hills Elite did not give up a goal and outscored their opponents, 15-0, in the five games they played to win the Boys-Under-17 State Open Cup. This is Dix Hills’ third State Open Cup title and they were 2013 national finalists. The Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) team defeated Yonkers United Celtic of the Westchester Youth Soccer District (WYSD), 1-0, in the championship game played on a rainy day on May 31 in LaGrange.

“It was a typical final with two teams with very set ways of playing,” commented Dix Hills coach Phil Murray. “The weather was difficult, the play was physical and we did a very good job of containing a very good team.”

Spencer Manus scored on a penalty kick late in the second half for the only goal of the game after a Dix Hills attacker was held on a corner kick.

The two-time State Open Cup champs received a $2,000 check from the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) to defray their costs during the Regionals from June 26 to 30 in Barboursville, West Virginia.

As Boys-Under-17 State Open Cup champs, Dix Hills brought the new Jose Vargas Cup back to Long Island. The award’s namesake was an Eastern New York Hall of Famer who was an enthusiastic ref for decades and served as State Referee Administrator, State Youth Referee Administrator and State Director of Assessment, three of the top referee positions in Eastern New York. But his soccer expertise was not confined to refereeing as he volunteered as President of the East Hudson Youth Soccer League as well as President of the East Fishkill Soccer Club.

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 Instruction, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

As I have travelled around the US and viewed how soccer is run in many different Regions, I have become increasingly aware of how unique each situation can be. Within Eastern New York, many areas have fortunately or unfortunately become dominated at the Under-12 age group by teams that are primarily run by trainers. The reasons for this choice range from “I think they deserved someone with more knowledge” to “No one wanted to do it or had the time." As I have written about before, if a detailed search was done for a coach who:  

1) Confirmed to have the appropriate background check. 

2) Has the appropriate coaching license  

3) Has some form of first aid experience or system for the care of injuries  

4) Has some experience and knowledge of the game and trends in education. 

5) Is within the financial means of the group to hire  

6) Has a holistic vison of player development and the game – not many of the players will become polished professionals but they all will face adversity and challenges in adult life that sports can help prepare them to deal with. 

7) Has a good understanding of the development vs. win at all costs debate 

It is hard to think of a solid reason why a team that has found an individual that meets all the criteria above should not hire a trainer. In fact, to help clubs and coaches find suitably qualified trainers, ENYYSA introduced its trainer certification program and a list of verified and qualified coaches can be found on our website at www.enysoccer.com 

Unfortunately, and perhaps more disturbingly, are the huge number of clubs and teams that now seek to hire “professional“ coaches to work with the U5-U10 age groups.  I have grown increasingly concerned as I have travelled around the state and seen hundreds of young players coached in inappropriate and damaging soccer environments. The attitude of many seems to be the younger ones are okay with anything, after all they can’t play the real game. We need to focus our efforts on the travel players. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The thousands of players in this group have definite, specific and VITAL needs that must be met. The quality of their first footsteps in the game will have a huge impact on both how long they play and how skillful and creative they become. Clubs and coaches must work diligently to ensure these player are given environments to train in that are: 

• Immense fun  

• Full of game play and activities where the kids make the decisions  

• Are developmentally appropriate. Forgive the rant but it is impossible to increase the lung capacity of pre-pubescent kids – so stop the laps. They also do not need to formally stretch so use the time to play physical literacy games, and they hate standing in lines and doing drills.  

• They need environments where they can solve problems, on their own, in pairs and then in small groups (yes, they should be allowed to talk)  

• They need to sort out social issues on their own – it went in or it didn’t, they will grow by sorting it out. 

• They value and need skill development (skill is learned in the context of the game and the basis of it is making a decision on what they see, so dribbling around cones does not help) 

What should be apparent reading the above list is that this is not an age range who should have anyone with accent or who once kicked a ball at college placed in front of them. It is not an age group that can be left to chance. Clubs who get it right with these grass roots players will be the clubs that have players play for life, deeply love the game and one day will come back to coach the next generation of players. 

I urge all clubs who use trainers in these vital age groups to spend time ensuring that your hire coaches or find parent volunteers who can create the environments noted above. In doing so, you need to ensure that those coaches charged with teaching these age groups meet the criteria below:  

1. Have a genuine desire and love for coaching younger players (too many professional coaches  view working with younger players as a chore or punishment) 

2. Confirmed to have the appropriate background check. 

3. Have an age appropriate and developmentally appropriate coaching philosophy. 

4. Have the developmentally appropriate licenses, diplomas or teaching degrees that deal with the age groups they work with. 

5. Have some form of first aid experience or system for the care of injuries  

6. Have some knowledge of the physical, cognitive and psychosocial characteristics of the children in front of them. 

7. Understand how the stage of development in the three areas above impacts effective teaching strategies that can be used and skills that can be mastered. 

8. Have a holistic vision of player development and the game – not many of the players will become polished professionals but they all will face adversity and challenges in adult life that sports can help prepare them to deal with. 

9. Is able and willing to be an animated, fun, fair, disciplined quiz master as required.

Missing from the team photo are players Deanna Lopez, Kyra McCarthy, Matti Muller and Gianna Viscusi

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

July 1, 2017-Rotterdam United of the Capital District Youth Soccer League (CDYSL) had a 2-1-2 record, scoring 11 goals and conceding 6, to become champions of the Girls-Under-14 Division in the Eastern New York Premier Soccer League (ENYPL) this spring in a very tight 6-team division. This is the first Premier team ever fielded by Rotterdam United, located just south of Schenectady and 18 miles northwest of Albany.

“The factors that helped Rotterdam United to a winning season this year has been their commitment to one another and their dedication to a season that started back in October as the girls began their first season at the Premier level,” explained Rotterdam United coach Scott Byrnes. “This team is made up of players who have been focused on continuing to develop year-after-year and their ability to stay together as a team and transition into one of the more competitive leagues in New York has been a result of the bond that these girls has formed over the last several years. These girls have a tireless work ethic when they are on the field and that has helped them come out with some key victories over this past season versus their competition.”     

The ENYPL, organized by the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), is America’s oldest continuous Premier League, having originally kicked off play in 2001.

Coach Byrnes continued, “The girls are looking forward to continuing their development through the summer and getting ready for new challenges next season.”

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.