Human Interest
Big Apple Youth Soccer League Kids Accompany Copa America Players Onto Field
By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
July 2, 2024-Boys and girls from the Big Apple Youth Soccer League (BAYSL) walked onto the field with players from the National Teams of Bolivia and Uruguay before their Copa America match on June 27 at MetLife Stadium. Uruguay won the match, 5-0.
BAYSL players from the JJV Academy, La Colonia and New York Talentos clubs had this opportunity as league President Carlos Vergara has connections to Copa America executives. The kids arrived hours before the game to practice entering the field plus received free food, uniforms and watched the game afterwards. Since the BAYSL players speak Spanish, they were able to communicate with the Bolivian and Uruguayan players.
“Our players were very happy to be on a professional field in front of so many people, almost a sellout crowd,” BAYSL President Vergara explained. “It is something that they will remember for the rest of their lives.”
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/
Staten Island Hosts the Back to the Beach Soccer Classic
By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
June 27, 2024-The current heat wave is bringing New Yorkers back to the beach. The Staten Island Youth Soccer League (SIYSL), the southernmost league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), has been going to the beach since 2017 when it first hosted the Back to the Beach Soccer Classic.
This tournament took a two-year break in 2020 and ’21 for the pandemic with more and more teams playing since. 63 squads, including Brunswick FC from the Capital District Youth Soccer League (CDYSL), played in the 6th Annual Back to the Beach Soccer Classic at Midland Beach on June 22 and 23.
The tourney does not use official beach soccer rules (yes, there is such a thing) but developed its own rules.
“We do not use goalkeepers. We play on 50 yard by 30 yard fields with 4 x 6 goals. Four vs. four for Under-12 and up, five vs. five for Under-11 and lower,” tourney director Rich Nellis explained. “No offsides but players are not allowed to camp in the goal area and the ball cannot be played once it enters the restricted area by the goal. You cannot play as much one-on-one with the sand so it encourages passing and teamwork.”
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 nine 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/
Soccer Refs Wanted
By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
June 26, 2024-There are over 100,000 youth soccer players in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) and over 3,000 referees and assistant refs.
Most of the action takes play during the spring and fall as the weather is just right, not too hot or not too cold for soccer. With the Spring Season coming to a close, Eastern New York looks to increase our number of referees in time for the Fall Season.
There are many reasons to become a referee and/or assistant referee, from staying involved with the game, getting exercise, meeting new people, earning money, etc. Plus you are your own boss and decide when you are available to ref. The reasons for reffing are as diverse as the people who make up our referee ranks, men and women plus teenage boys and girls.
Eastern New York seeks new Grassroots Referees and the certification class consists of both online and classroom learning. For more information, log on to https://enysreferee.org/how-to-become-a-referee/. If you have any questions, e-mail questions@enysreferee.org
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 nine 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/
Morgan Salmon Thanks TOPSoccer in Acceptance Speech as Northeast-10 Conference Woman of the Year
By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
June 19, 2024-Morgan Salmon of West Hempstead has been honored by the Northeast-10 Conference as the Woman of the Year and Soccer Defensive Player of the Year as well as a United Soccer Coaches All-American.
Morgan’s playing time at Adelphi University consisted of starting 51 of her 53 career games at the pivotal center back position. The Panthers, under her captaincy, not only returned to the NE10 Championship final in 2023, but captured the school’s first NCAA Division 2 East Region Championship in 20 years. Her final start as a Panther came at the NCAA Division 2 National Championship, where Morgan played all 90 minutes of the team’s semifinal game against Washburn University.
Morgan completed her bachelor’s degree this May in Nursing, maintaining a 3.854 cumulative grade-point average along the way. In her acceptance speech as the Northeast-10 Woman of the Year, she thanked Lauren Lee, the TOPSoccer Chairperson of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA).
Morgan said, “I would like to thank West Hempstead TOPSoccer and Lauren Lee. West Hempstead TOPSoccer is the outreach program for soccer which allows individuals with special needs the opportunty to play soccer, whether that is a mental or physical disability. I started volunteering with this program in 2013 so I grew up with these kids, they’re neighborhood kids, and as much as you would think that I taught them, they have truly formed me into the person I am.”
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 onto http://www.enysoccer.com/
Six Sensational Teens Receive Long Island Soccer Referee Association Scholarships
By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
June 20, 2024-The Long Island Soccer Referee Association (LISRA) started its College Scholarship Program in 1981, exactly a decade after LISRA’s founding.
Under the guidance of Scholarship Chairperson Jean-Marie Maio, the 2023 Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) Administrator of the Year, the program is open to high school seniors who are either LISRA members or the child of a LISRA member, and moving on to higher education. The Scholarship Committee selects the recipients based on essay, resumé, recommendations and grades.
On June 13 at the Huntington Hilton in Melville, six outstanding teenagers received LISRA scholarships:
• Jocelyn Nashtatik, graduated from Bellmore JFK High School, attending Cornell University
• Julianna Annunziata, graduated from West Babylon High School, attending Farmingdale State College
• Tristen Ventura, graduated from Chaminade High School, attending Brown University
• Patrick LaBarca, graduated from Hicksville High School, attending Binghamton University
• Liam Henshaw, graduated from West Babylon High School, attending Adelphi University
• Michael Iemma, graduated from Plainedge High School, attending Methodist University
Liam Henshaw and LISRA Scholarship Chairperson Jean-Marie Maio. Michael Iemma was camera shy.
Elections were also held at the June LISRA meeting with a robust election slate of 12 candidates vying for Director positions. Scott Abel (Technology), Marty Foeppel (Recruitment), Al Giorgianni (Finance), Eugene O’Neill (Legal Counsel) and John Sengelaub (Instruction) were all re-elected with Neal Smith being elected and Joe Pagano being appointed to seats on the Board of Directors. Tom Murphy (Webmaster) was re-elected and he was appointed to the open position of Corresponding Secretary.
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 onto http://www.enysoccer.com/
Deaf and CP Soccer Camp Being Hosted at Golden Goal Park in Fort Ann
By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
May 29, 2024-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is committed that every child who wants to play soccer is able to do so.
Special Children playing soccer, now called TOPSoccer, originated in Eastern New York in 1978 when the Huntington Boys Club and Massapequa Soccer Club seperately started programs. The USA National Amputee Team consists of a few players who grew up playing youth soccer in Eastern New York.
We’re very happy to send out information on the upcoming Deaf and CP Soccer Camp at Golden Goal Park in Fort Ann, marketing itself as “the perfect balance of serious training and enjoyable activities” from Saturday, June 22 to Thursday, June 27. There are only 10 places available.
Go to https://usdeafsoccer.com/upcoming-events/?eid=11335 to register.
For more info, please contact USA Deaf Soccer’s Youth Representative, Sydney Andrews, at sandrews@usdeafsoccer.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. 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/
Deadline is June 1 to Apply to Eastern New York For a College Scholarship
By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
May 20, 2024-Every summer, the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) awards college scholarships for deserving high school graduates. Four scholarships are for girls (named after Jack Baumann plus Patricia Louise Masotto and Brenda Driscoll) and there are two scholarships for boys (honoring Livio D’Arpino).
Criteria for Consideration
- Must have a C average or better and graduate by August of the current year
- Must plan on attending a school of Higher Education in the Fall. (Include name of University/College)
- Must be a registered player of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
- Must submit a 250-word essay on why you are deserving of the scholarship. The essay must include at the top of page 1, Your Name, Address, Phone Number, and the Scholarship applying to, indicated below.
- Must submit a personal resume and a school transcript.
- The essay, resume, and transcript must be submitted no later than June 1 to the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association, email to lfrancis@enysoccer.com or mail to:
ENYYSA Attn: Scholarship Committee
167 Nassau Blvd.
Garden City South, NY 11530 - Indicate at the top of the essay which scholarship you are applying to.
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/
After Much Success Playing and Coaching Soccer, Jerry Owenburg Becomes a Ref
By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
May 23, 2024-There are many diverse reasons for becoming a soccer referee. For Jerry Owenburg, it was to stay involved with the Beautiful Game after a lengthy playing and coaching career.
Jerry grew up playing in the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL). Referees took an interest in him and taught him to always respect the rules.
“I was fortunate as a teenager playing in many international youth tournaments such as the Dana Cup in Denmark, the Gothia Cup in Sweden, the Germany Cup, Paris Cup and the Holland Cup,” Jerry explained. After that, Jerry started his college playing career at LIU Post and then became team captain and MVP at Farmingdale State.
As an adult player, Jerry won two State Cup championships with West Babylon and one with Carle Place of the Long Island Soccer Football League (LISFL) plus he also played for the New York Greek-Americans of the Northeast Super Soccer League.
By then, Jerry had started coaching and his teams included the Olympic Development Program (ODP) of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), where his side won the Regional ODP championship, as well as LIJSL Select, the Long Island Rough Riders, New York Surf, Atletico, St. Joseph’s University where his men’s team won the conference plus his alma mater, West Babylon High School, which had the highest team GPA in the nation.
“I’m especially proud that two of the players I coached, Sal Caccavale and Jerrod Laventure, were signed by the Red Bulls,” Jerry added.
“Last year, I took my first break from coaching in 30 years. During that year, I had time to reflect on my playing and coaching career. One of the areas that stood out was how this game impacted my life and made me the person I am today. The most significant memories were not necessarily the wins, losses or championships. It was the relationships and how people impacted my life and helped me along the way. Of course, coaches and teammates were among the list, but what also stood out were the referees,” Jerry explained. “So with my recent break from coaching, it became the perfect opportunity to take some time to enjoy the game from a different perspective and stay connected with the people in the soccer community that mean so much to me.”
So Jerry started refereeing this year and has done well, even being in the middle for Under-19 games in his first season. The Sayville resident, who is Principal at Bellmore JFK High School, said that he is disappointed when he sees adults treat young refs poorly.
“I’m so proud of some of the young game officials I’ve met who take on the role of referees. These young refs are the future of our game and they need adults to be patient and supportive.”
Jerry stated, “I like everything else about refereeing. This has been such a positive experience that I’ve already set my sights on working towards becoming a Regional Referee. I strongly encourage other former players and coaches who miss the game to consider the role of referee as a way to keep soccer in their life.”
Are you interested in joining Jerry in becoming a referee or assistant ref? Eastern New York is looking for new Grassroots Referees and the certification class consists of both online and classroom learning. For more information, log on to https://enysreferee.org/how-to-become-a-referee/. If you have any questions, e-mail questions@enysreferee.org
For more info about becoming an official on Long Island, please contact Marty Foeppel at MartyFoeppel@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. 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/
Richmondtown’s Jake Ryan Sells Out His Pens and Gives All Proceeds to Rocco Strong
By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
May 9, 2024-Jake Ryan is a 12-year-old angel who plays for the Boys-Under-15 Richmondtown Rockets in the Staten Island Youth Soccer League (SIYSL).
On May 2, Jake went to Max’s Es-Ca Restaurant and Bar for the Mother’s Day Shop and Sip. He explained how he created his business, Jake’s Key Characters, as “I wanted to sell things after I went to vendor shows with my mom.”
Jake sold all the pens he had designed and with the biggest heart, gave all the money to Rocco Strong, for 6-year-old Rocco DiMaggio, suffering from a reoccurrence of childhood cancer.
Jake’s consideration for others is perhaps the best present he could have given to his mom Marissa Arcuri for Mother’s Day.
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/