By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
April 16, 2024-The 10 leagues of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) are in full swing and that also means the TOPSoccer Spring Season has also kicked off. TOPSoccer, The Outreach Program for Soccer, is a recreational program for children and adults with intellectual, emotional or physical challenges that is offered through soccer clubs under the US Youth Soccer umbrella. The Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) is the largest league in Eastern New York and also has the largest TOPSoccer program with 28 LIJSL clubs participating:
Special Children playing soccer in an organized league started first in the LIJSL in 1978 when the Huntington Boys Club and Massapequa Soccer Club separately started programs at a time when those with Special Needs playing sports is not as accepted as it is today. Using its longtime slogan of “Come Play With Me,” there are two big highlights of the LIJSL TOPSoccer Spring Season:
• Commack Festival/Tournament on Saturday, May 18 at the Burr Road Soccer Complex in Commack
• LIJSL Barbecue and Festival/Tournament on Saturday, June 1 at the Peter Collins Soccer Park in Plainview
Additionally, the senior TOPSoccer teams will be traveling to play at other club’s home fields on occasion during the Spring Season.
For more information and to register your son or daughter, please contact LIJSL TOPSoccer Chairperson Ann Marie Toth at 516-694-3567. If you live outside Long Island and eastern Queens and would like to register your child with a club closer to you or want info on how to start a program, contact ENYYSA TOPSoccer Chairperson Lauren Lee at 516-538-7303.
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/