By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
February 29, 2024-The State Cup of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) kicks off this weekend and our 10 leagues will be starting their seasons in March and April, depending on weather and field availability. I would like to highlight a small gesture, which I see in only some of the games I officiate, that could make the Spring Season go much better for your team.
When I see a coach greet the opposing coach before the game, I know that the match is most likely going to go well. Even better if the coaches can talk for a few minutes. If nobody has done this, then the home coach should go over and welcome the visiting coach and players to the field.
Yes, I know that coaches and trainers before the match are busy sorting out who is at the field, who is still coming, putting the players through their warm-ups, etc. But there must be a few minutes to spare to talk to the opposing coaches. The attitude of the players and their parents feed off what their coach does as the coach is a role model for his or her team.
I kept a log of the games that I refereed last year and there were five times more yellow and red cards in games where coaches had no interaction before the game with one another compared to coaches shaking hands (at the very least) as the match started.
And who knows, if you talk to the opposing coach, you might have made a new friend.
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 US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/