By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
September 28, 2026-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) welcomes James Svendsen as our new President after the retirement of Richard Christiano, who faithfully served as ENYYSA President for the past 16 years. The Presidential election took place at the ENYYSA Annual General Meeting this past Saturday, September 26 at the Sonesta Hotel in White Plains.
“I am honored and excited to have the opportunity to serve as President of Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association. ENYYSA has a proud history, and I look forward to working with our leagues, clubs, coaches, referees, volunteers and families to build on that foundation,” our new President explained. “One of my first priorities will be to listen. Youth soccer continues to evolve, and I believe it is important that we bring people together, hear different perspectives and make sure Eastern New York is positioned to meet both the opportunities and challenges ahead to create the best possible experience for our players. This is an important time for youth soccer, with the evolving relationship and increased alignment between US Soccer and US Youth Soccer, changes that have the potential to reshape the youth soccer landscape.”
President Svendsen is a soccer lifer who played as a kid for SC Gjøa in the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL) for a decade, starting off as an 8-year-old in 1973 at the start of the youth soccer boom.
Jimmy began coaching the Boys-Under-10 Scandinavian Sports Club Vikings in 1980. It was a rapid rise up the volunteer ladder as he became a CJSL Trustee two years later. In 1984, Jimmy started coaching in the CJSL Select Program.
Jimmy volunteered for two tours of duty as CJSL President, from 1998-2000 and again from 2016-18. He also had two tours of duty as Gjøa’s Youth Director.
In 2005, he received Lifetime Membership, soccer’s version of the Lifetime Achievement Award, for both the CJSL and Gjøa. In 2013, he was inducted into the CJSL Hall of Fame and received the same honor from Gjøa in 2016. He was inducted into the Eastern New York Hall of Fame in 2017.
Jimmy held nearly every position on the CJSL Executive Board since Emil Cohill asked him to become involved with the Board in 1982. He spent more than two decades as the CJSL Treasurer. He also volunteered on the ENYYSA Board previously as Treasurer and Trustee.
The Glenwood Landing resident was the Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Technology at the New Hyde Park-Garden City Park School District for nearly a decade. After his retirement from that position three years ago, he consults for school districts now.He served for two years on the North Shore School District Board of Education and recently resigned from that position so he could volunteer as Eastern New York’s President.
Svendsen concluded, “I want to thank Richie Christiano for his many years of leadership and service to ENYYSA. Richie has dedicated an incredible amount of time and energy to the game and to our Association. I’m grateful for his support during this transition and look forward to building upon the work he and so many others have done for Eastern New York soccer.”
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/