By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
September 30, 2026-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is pleased to announce that three of the 25 clubs selected by US Youth Soccer to participate in the third and final part of US Soccer’s Innovate to Grow Grant are from Eastern New York. The local clubs selected are La Finca Futbol from the Hudson Valley Youth Soccer League (HVYSL), Eleftheria Pancyprian Soccer Club of the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL) and Westchester Elite Soccer of the Westchester Youth Soccer League (WYSL).
All three clubs have committed to implementing the model over two seasons of play in the Under-5 and Under-6 recreation age groups and provide coach and parent feedback at the end of each season. Their coaches are also provided with educational resources via membership to USYS University and access to the USYS National Curriculum.
“We’re honored and grateful to be selected for US Soccer’s Game Format Project. We are using this support to launch our areas first Grassroots program grounded in the principles of small-sided play,” stated La Finca Futbol President Jed Tucker. “With no cost to the clubs, coupled with the professional support and network of clubs nationally doing this, it shows the real value of US Soccer.”
Smaller fields and fewer players will lead to more touches on the ball, enhanced decision-making, increased scoring opportunities and more enjoyment. The participating clubs can select the game format they would like to implement based on researched-informed recommendations for field size, team size, length of games, etc.
“We are very grateful to US Youth Soccer for selecting Eleftheria Pancyprian Soccer Club for the Game Format Project. We plan to use this grant to enhance the environment we provide for our younger players, giving them more opportunities to play, develop, and enjoy the game in a format that is appropriate for their age,” explained Eleftheria Pancyprian President Parry Ermogenous. “As our club continues to grow, initiatives like this allow us to invest directly back into our players and strengthen the foundation of our development program.”
“We are incredibly grateful to US Youth Soccer for selecting Westchester Elite Soccer to participate in the Game Format Project,” stated Flavio Zhingri, Founder and Technical Director of Westchester Elite Soccer. “We are excited to use the resources provided to create more small-sided playing opportunities for our young players, giving them more touches on the ball, more involvement in the game and more opportunities to make decisions. We’re also excited to learn from the project and contribute our experience and feedback as US Youth Soccer continues to explore the best environments for young players to develop and enjoy the game.”
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/