By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
October 3, 2024-South Bronx United Founder and Executive Director Andrew So, the 2020 Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) Administrator of the Year, made a presentation on “Fundraising Strategies From the Field: Grassroots Fundraising for Youth Organizations” to the US Youth Soccer Grassroots Symposium in Salt Lake City on September 21.
Andrew stated, “Fundraising is crucial for many non-profit organizations to be able to bring quality programs and services to underserved and low-income communities where families cannot usually afford them. When I attended my first US Soccer Foundation Symposium in 2010, I sought out every workshop connected to funding. Without developing our fundraising efforts, South Bronx United never would have been able to grow to have the impact it has today. I wanted to make sure this year’s participants had those opportunities to grow.”
South Bronx United, a Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL) club, was founded in 2009 by Andrew and his wife Steph. Using the slogan, “Building Leaders and Scholars Through Soccer,” South Bronx United utilizes soccer as a vehicle for social change in providing academic support, college prep, mentoring, workforce development, immigration legal services and more in the poorest Congressional District in the United States.
“I think it is crucial for Eastern New York to embrace grassroots soccer programming and find ways to better reach underserved communities here in the state. There is a potential not just to reach many more children and young people if we can better embrace the approaches shared at the symposium, but also to ensure these programs are high-quality and impactful in changing the lives for youth of all backgrounds,” Andrew said. “I was glad that ENYYSA President Rich Christiano was in attendance and I hope to work more closely with the state association to expand the sport’s reach and its impact in the lives of youth, particularly those in underserved communities.”
The 2nd Annual US Youth Soccer Grassroots Symposium carries on a tradition started by US Soccer which held its Urban Soccer Symposium from 2007 to 2022 in Washington, DC and then virtually during the pandemic. 44 states were represented in Salt Lake City, including a large contingent from New York State, and guest speakers included pro players Ali Riley and Nick Rimando.
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/