By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
February 2, 2024-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) was very pleased to honor Ana Penagos-Bolivar as our 2023 Girls Competitive Coach of the Year at our Hall of Fame Banquet on January 27 at Marina del Rey in the Bronx.
Ana was nominated by Dana Richardson, the administrator for the Merrick Pumas, one of the three teams that Ana coaches. In the three years that Ana has coached the Pumas, they have been promoted three times in the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), going from Division 2 to the Premier Division, won the Long Island Cup and received the LIJSL Sportsmanship Award for their Fair Play. The Pumas also finished in first place in Oceanside United’s Bob Schrager Memorial Tournament.
Dana wrote, “Ana never yells or corrects her players during play. She will always pull players aside when they come off the field to offer advice, make a correction or adjustment…Ana continues to find creative ways to keep things fresh and new and the girls continue to improve their skill set. She has the ability to bring out the best in each player and recognizes that they all need to be coached differently. She is always creating fun ways at practice and beyond for the girls to stay engaged…Ana also encourages the girls to try out and play for different teams over the summer. Two Pumas played for the LIJSL Academy and two played for the Long Island Rough Riders last summer.”
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 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. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/