By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
February 8, 2026-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very proud to announce that Jules Mehmet has been honored as our 2025 Young Male Referee of the Year.
The ceremony took place at Eastern New York’s Hall of Fame Banquet on Saturday, January 24 at Marina del Rey in the Bronx.
Jules is a 15-year-old Manhattan resident who started refereeing three years ago. He started off with Under-6 and Under-7 recreational games and is now a member of the New York Soccer Referees Association (NYSRA).
NYSRA First Vice President Harris Rasheed wrote that “Jules serves as an inspiring example of dedication and achievement within the US Soccer Referee community. His approach to officiating retains the perspective gained through years as a player, consistently applying lessons and values from the field to his role as a referee. His time spent with referees at all levels, notably guided by mentors such as Arthur ‘Chip’ Reed, has been integral to his rapid development and unwavering enthusiasm for the role…
A hallmark of his career is his dedication to community involvement. Since first picking up a whistle, he continues to referee, coach and volunteer for the local recreational league where his journey began. Jules ensures time for refereeing early morning youth matches each weekend, demonstrating his genuine commitment to Grassroots soccer. Beyond officiating, he is active in helping organize his team’s logistics and uniform distribution, and eagerly participates in training and educational sessions, often as the sole youth participant among adults.”
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, east of Route 81. ENYYSA encourages 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 US Soccer and US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/