By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
June 13, 2026-What is now known as TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) started in the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) in 1978 when the Huntington Boys Club (HBC) and Massapequa Soccer Club separately kicked off programs in an era when Children With Special Needs playing sports was not as accepted as it is today.
TOPSoccer began to be played over three decades ago on fields being developed behind the old LIJSL office in Plainview and since 2004, those fields have been called the Peter Collins Soccer Park. Under the longtime direction of Eastern New York Hall of Famer Ann Marie Toth and using the slogan of “Come Play With Me,” TOPSoccer grew on Long Island and there are now over two dozen LIJSL clubs with TOPS programs.
On the first Saturday in June, the LIJSL hosts the TOPSoccer Friendship Cup and barbecue at the Collins Soccer Park. Nearly 200 Special Children played under sunny skies on Saturday, June 6.
The LIJSL Manager of League Events, Stephanie Hernandez, stated, “The TOPSoccer Friendship Cup is one of the league’s greatest events, and the best part of my job. It went above and beyond expectations. The turnout was phenomenal and it was a wonderful day.”
“This was by far the best TOPSoccer Friendship Cup we ever had because of the LIJSL’s generosity. We had nothing but good vibes from everyone who participated,” Toth stated. “A special thanks to Stephanie and all her volunteers who were outstanding. Stephanie shows so much love for all our TOPSoccer athletes and her commitment is unbelievable.”
If you are interested in finding out more about TOPSoccer in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), please contact Pete Bussa at 516-456-5828 or pbussa27@gmail.com.
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/
All photos courtesy of the Long Island Junior Soccer League