News

Chris Armas to Be Inducted Into the National Soccer Hall of Fame

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

December 12, 2024-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to acknowledge that Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Famer Chris Armas has been selected to be inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame. Chris was inducted into the Eastern New York Hall of Fame in 2007 and will be inducted into the US Soccer Hall of Fame on May 3, 2025, at the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Frisco, Texas.

Born in the Bronx in 1972, Chris grew up in Brentwood, playing for the Brentwood Bandits of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL). He graduated from St. Anthony’s High School and then attended Adelphi University from 1990 to ’93, amassing 17 goals and 15 assists for the Panthers during his four years there. Chris was selected as a NCAA Division 2 First Team All-American his senior year. During the summer, Chris suited up for Hewlett/Lawrence in the Under-23 Ryder/Vass Cup of the Long Island Soccer Football League (LISFL).

Chris played for the Long Island Rough Riders in 1994 and ’95 with Teddy’s troops capturing the United Soccer Leagues (USL) national championship in 1995.

Major League Soccer (MLS) kicked off in 1996, Chris was drafted by the Los Angeles Galaxy in the first round and scored a goal in the first MLS Cup final that year but his Galaxy team lost to DC United, 3-2, in overtime during a downpour. He won the MLS championship in 1998 with the expansion Chicago Fire plus four Lamar Hunt US Open Cups with the Fire. Chris received MLS Best XI honors four consecutive times from 1998 to 2001. In 2003, he was again named MLS Best XI but also was honored as MLS Comeback Player of the Year after returning from a torn ACL. He was also named US Soccer Athlete of the Year in 2000.

Chris earned 66 caps with the US Men’s National Team in the years around the turn of the millennium.

The Floral Park resident then became a coach and has coached with New York Hota, been the head coach of the Adelphi women, the Red Bulls, Toronto FC and is currently the head coach of the Colorado Rapids. Additionally, he was an assistant coach with Manchester United and co-interim head coach of Leeds United in England.

“The recognition to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, if it’s a reflection of the career that I had, the contributions to the game, the type of player and teammate that I was, the way that I carried myself as part of good teams, being a piece of that, then I’m really proud,” Chris said. “It means a tremendous amount to my family, my boys, my wife, my parents, my dad from up in heaven can see that.”

Also being inducted with Chris in the Class of 2025 will be Mark Abbott, Mary Harvey, Carli Lloyd and Nick Rimando.

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/

Manhasset’s Owen McCormack Selected as the National TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

December 3, 2024-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is thrilled to announce that our TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year, Owen McCormack, has been selected by US Youth Soccer as the National TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year. Owen will be honored at the US Youth Soccer Workshop in Chicago and the Eastern New York Hall of Fame Banquet in New York City, both in January.

TOPSoccer stands for The Outreach Program for Soccer, providing an opportunity for children with intellectual, physical and/or social characteristics that may require modified educational practices and services in order to develop to their potential.

Owen has volunteered with the Manhasset Soccer Club’s Adaptive Program since the 9th Grade, the earliest that the club allows student volunteers. Due to his dedication to TOPSoccer, he was appointed Director of Student Volunteers in the 10th Grade. Owen recruits volunteers from Manhasset High School’s varsity and junior varsity soccer programs as well as the rest of the student population.

The Manhasset resident is responsible for creating the schedule at the start of the season and communicates with students and their families to ensure that every child with special needs receives the attention they deserve. During practices, Owen takes the initiative in guiding new volunteers. His positive energy and inclusive nature has helped build strong relationships with players and their families.

Additionally, Owen reaches out to a special education teacher in a neighboring school district to offer her students participation in Manhasset’s Adaptive Program as there, unfortunately, is no such program in her town.

In addition to being a leader with TOPSoccer for the past three years, Owen is a leader at Manhasset High School, volunteering as the Student Government Class Treasurer in the 9th, 10th and 11th Grades and organizing events promoting school spirit, fundraising and community engagement. Owen also volunteers at St. Francis Hospital and for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). He was selected as team co-captain of the 2024 LLS Student Visionaries of the Year Campaign on Long Island.

Owen grew up playing in the Manhasset Soccer Club in both the intramural and travel team programs, has been a player for Eastern New York’s Olympic Development Program (ODP) for the past three years and also currently plays for the East Meadow Soccer Club and Manhasset High School.

This is the second time in the past six years that a teenager from Eastern New York has been selected as National TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year as Jessica Lee received this huge honor in 2019.

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 United States Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

Hofstra Men Take the Conference Title For the Fourth Consecutive Year

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

November 25, 2024-The Hofstra University men’s soccer team, with six players on the roster who grew up playing in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), has had another outstanding season.

For the second consecutive year, the Pride has received a national seed in the NCAA Championship and a first round bye. Hofstra, who is making their fourth consecutive NCAA appearance, earned the #7 seed.

“Very pleased to have another successful season, to be conference champions and to be in the NCAA tournament once again,” longtime Hofstra men’s soccer coach Richard Nuttall stated.

Evan Bernstein photo courtesy of Hofstra University.

Hofstra (14-4-2) won the Coastal Athletic Association championship for the fourth consecutive season and eighth time overall.

This is the ninth time that Hofstra has played in the NCAA tournament. In 2021 and 2023, the Pride advanced to the third round and the team advanced to the second round in 2004, 2006, 2015 and 2024. Hofstra is 4-2 at home in NCAA play.

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 United States Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

Two Eastern New York Hall of Famers to Lead Kingston Capitals Women’s Soccer

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

October 31, 2024-Two Eastern New York Hall of Famers, Dimitri Giatrakis and Ken Gulmi, have been tabbed to coach the Kingston Capitals of the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL). Dimitri Giatrakis was named Head Coach and Ken Gulmi was tabbed as General Manager and Assistant Coach for the squad that kicked off play at the start of this decade.

Coach Giatrakis has over 40 years experience as a player and coach. He holds a US Soccer National “A” license and has served as both the Hudson Valley Youth Soccer League (HVYSL) Technical Director and Olympic Development Program (ODP) Technical Director of the Eastern New York State Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), overseeing a staff of over 30 coaches in the latter position. Dimitri has been a National Coaching Instructor and his teams have reached the finals of the National ODP Championship and a number of his players have been and are currently playing in MLS and the US Men’s National Team.

Coach Gulmi also has over 40 years coaching experience. He holds a US Soccer National “C” license and has served as HVYSL President for 22 years and as ENYYSA Vice President for 25 years. Ken served as a presenter on the College Bound educational symposium at the United Soccer Coaches national convention, as well as volunteering on the US Soccer National Committee on Disabled Athletics and he has conducted training sessions with players and parents on interview skills, nutrition and career counseling.

Dimitri Giatrakis (left) and Ken Gulmi

The team’s name is a source of pride for Kingstonians as the first New York State legislature met in Kingston in 1777 before Albany was declared the state capital two years later. Hence, Kingston is considered the first capital of New York State.

The WPSL is a highly competitive national league of 150 women’s teams in four regions and 16 conferences. Kingston, a member of the Northeast Conference, will compete against teams from Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Boston, Albany and Clarkstown. All home games will be at newly renovated Dietz Stadium in Kingston, beginning in early May 2025. Young women interested in trying out may contact Coach Gulmi at kingstoncapitals1@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 United States Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

Allan Emmanuel is Quickly Moving Up the Ref Ladder Through Natural Ability and Hard Work

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

November 3, 2024-Happy Birthday to up-and-coming referee Allan Emmanuel, who turns 25 today.

The Crown Heights resident grew up playing soccer in Haiti and moved with his family to Florida 14 years ago, then to Brooklyn the next year. He took up the whistle as a referee in September 2018.

Allan explained, “I love refereeing! I have always loved soccer and like the fact that you have to make quick decisions as a ref and that each game is different.”

Allan Emmanuel is second from the right.

Allan recently graduated as a Computer Science major at Brooklyn College and the attributes that he has learned as a referee–leading others, remaining calm at all times and that it’s about others rather than yourself–should serve him well as he launches his work career. He volunteers as Secretary of the New York Soccer Referees Association (NYSRA).

With firm game control and exquisite positioning, he’s climbed up the ladder quickly, refereeing the Youth and Adult Regionals this year and being selected to ref the Boys-Under-15 Regional Final. Allan was also chosen to referee US Youth Soccer’s Nationals in 2024 as well as officiating US Open Cup games and eight local adult championship games in the past three years. He started officiating college soccer as well this year.

“My goal is to become a MLS referee and possible FIFA referee one day,” he added.

Would you like to join Allan as a soccer referee? The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is seeking new referees to be in the middle and/or on the line as assistant referees in youth soccer games throughout the state. The minimum age is 14 years old to become certified. 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 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 United States Youth Soccer Association. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

Marianne Volpe 5K and Pumpkin Fun Run is on October 26 in Baldwin

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

October 10, 2024-Even though it’s precariously close to Halloween, we’re hoping that 13 is a lucky number as the 13th Annual Marianne Volpe 5K and Pumpkin Fun Run takes place on Saturday, October 26 at Baldwin Harbor Park.

Blood cancer support is important to the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) because of the life of Marianne Volpe. The Baldwin resident was 56 years old when she died of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL), an aggressive form of blood cancer, leaving behind her husband Jim, daughters Chelsea and Shaun, three brothers, five sisters and countless friends. There are many stories of extraordinary people like Marianne whose lives are cut tragically short by this horrible disease.

Marianne Volpe

Jim is a Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Hall of Famer and Chairperson of the Eastern New York Olympic Development Program (ODP) for the last decade-plus. Both Chelsea and Shaun grew up playing in the LIJSL, then played for Manhattan College and are still involved in the game today. The family started the Marianne Volpe 5K and Pumpkin Fun Run the day before Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and both the soccer and running communities have been helping out ever since.

More than $285,000 has been raised with the goal to go over $300,000 this year for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), which has helped advance 55 of the 65 blood cancer treatment options approved by the FDA since 2017. It’s the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding research towards cures for blood cancers. Since its inception in 1949, the Society has provided more than $1.2 billion to research specifically targeting blood cancers and its mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma.

Shaun, Jim and Chelsea Volpe

On Saturday, October 26, the kids’ run dubbed the Pumpkin Fun Run (for ages 10 and younger) is at 9:00 am with the Marianne Volpe 5K starting at 9:30 am.

Click here to register for the run.

Click here to make a donation.

In addition to utilizing the website, you can also send a donation check made payable to The Leukemia & Lymphoma’s Society to: LLS Northeast Territory, LLS – PO Box 22470, New York, NY 10087-2470

For more information about the Marianne Volpe 5K and Pumpkin Fun Run, please contact Jim Volpe at 516-805-3765.

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 United States Youth Soccer Association. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

Deadline Fast Approaching to Honor Your Best and Hardest-Working Members

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

September 10, 2024-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is asking that each member, club and league turn their attention inwards to their volunteers in an effort to acknowledge those whose contributions have truly made a difference.

We’re seeking nominations for a variety of awards to demonstrate our appreciation for the hours of devotion these valued individuals donate to our players.

Eastern New York will select a person in each category who will receive our recognition at the Hall of Fame Banquet next winter and will also be forwarded as our candidate for additional recognition at the National level. Last year, we received a nomination in nearly every category because our members took the time to nominate somebody.

The entries MUST be on a specific form and be completed as comprehensively as possible or they cannot be considered. These forms are attached below.

Awards will be presented in the following categories:

Girls Competitive Coach of the Year

Boys Competitive Coach of the Year

Girls Recreational Coach of the Year

Boys Recreational Coach of the Year

Volunteer of the Year

Administrator of the Year

TOPSoccer Coach of the Year

TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year

Young Female Referee of the Year

Young Male Referee of the Year

Nominations for the above awards must be received at the Eastern New York office on or before September 27, 2024 to be considered. The address is Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association, 167 Nassau Boulevard, Garden City South, NY 11530 or the material can be e-mailed to Randy Vogt at enypublicrelations@enysoccer.com

As with everything else, your nominees have to be in it to win it! Please take the opportunity to recognize the best and brightest through this great awards program.

There is a College Soccer Program For Every Travel Team Player

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

September 10, 2024-Every travel team player in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), from the East End of Long Island to the Canadian border, has the skills to play college soccer. Yet most of our families believe only the most-skilled can play college soccer. While it is true that Division 1 programs are looking for the best and sometimes the tallest players, Eastern New York and Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Hall of Famer Pat Grecco, CEO of the College-Bound Athlete Scholarship Service, says there is a college soccer program for you!

“I have been placing student-athletes, mostly soccer players, into colleges for the past 30 years. There are multiple options regarding college soccer programs at various levels, many of which would be a good fit for travel team players,” Pat explained. “Sometimes ego gets in the way of players and parents who feel they have devoted lots of time and money into soccer and they should be playing at the highest level, D1. Do not have tunnel vision! There are many outstanding colleges in the various conferences. Not everyone goes to college at Harvard, Princeton or Yale but that does not mean you can’t go to college and receive a degree.”

For men and women in Division 1, there are 500 plus programs, there are over 400 D2 programs and Division 3, almost 1,000 programs, all which are NCAA-affiliated. Junior college includes over 400 soccer programs. There are other affiliations outside the NCAA including the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) with over 400 member schools, United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) with nearly 100 schools and, lastly, National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) with 100+ programs and growing.

Pat says that she places colleges and universities based on the following in importance:
1) Intended major
2) Soccer level
3) Academic standing
4) Distance from home, climate and other factors
5) Available athletic and academic scholarship opportunities

“Maybe you play competitive club soccer and you’re a very good student, then you should be looking at highly competitive academic schools like Emory University, Johns Hopkins University, the University of Chicago where your soccer can help open that heavy door to Admissions,” Pat stated. “Another situation might be that you struggle a bit in school, then perhaps your best opportunities lie with two-year junior college programs and then after two years with improved grades, you could transfer to a four-year school with an athletic or academic scholarship. Either way, there is a college soccer program for you!”

For more information, please log on to www.collegeboundathlete.com or contact Pat directly at soccervol@aol.com

Remembering the Remarkable Jim Eleftherion

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

September 1, 2024-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is mourning the loss of longtime volunteer Jim Eleftherion, who passed away on August 29 at the age of 70.

The Mahopac resident first became involved in youth soccer when he started coaching three decades ago and he also served as a referee for two years. Jim then started volunteering with what is now the Hudson Valley Youth Soccer League (HVYSL) in the mid-1990’s and did that for over two decades.

Jim moved up the HVYSL ladder in many diverse roles, eventually becoming First Vice President and Games Chairperson. With his professional background in insurance as a guide, he created the league’s Risk Management Program, making it the benchmark in child protection throughout the state association. He also chaired or served on the office management, supervisory, appeals and Premier League committees. Jim also served as Director of the Hudson Invitational Tournament (HIT) for four years, improving the quality of the tournament and helping make it the premier HVYSL summer event it is today.

Former HVYSL President Ken Gulmi said of his longtime friend, “Jim was successful in everything he took on and was one of the smartest people that I ever met.”

Jim also volunteered as President of the Mahopac Sports Association Soccer Club two decades ago. He oversaw the financial restructuring of Mahopac, grew registrations by 25% in only three years, created a TOPSoccer program for the physically-challenged, renovated town fields and promoted a culture of coaching education where little had existed before him.

With Jim again leading the way and agreeing to serve as President, the Greater Hudson Valley Soccer League served as a competition for Under-23 male and female players from 2009 to 2013.

Jim volunteered for ENYYSA in many wonderful ways for over a decade until 2016. He served as the elected Treasurer while also serving on the Insurance and Olympic Development Program Scholarship Committees, in addition to being the Chairperson of the Budget and Risk Management Committees. It’s his work in the last role that saw him appointed to the Risk Management Committee of US Youth Soccer, which continued until his passing.

Jim was an acknowledged leader in establishing programs to protect children, serving first as a founding member and then becoming Chairperson 16 years ago of Eastern New York’s Risk Management Program. To protect our players, Eastern New York conducts background checks on coaches and referees before they participate in our games in addition to license certification they also must pass. They must pass this background check every two years to continue to be involved in our competitions as well as pass Safe Sport testing every year and watch Heads-Up Awareness videos on head injuries every two years.

In his five years as Treasurer, Jim did an incredible job in completely restructuring ENYYSA’s financial controls and reporting systems, moving to both a very sound financial footing and also to iron-clad auditability. This required that he add to his already considerable volunteer workload but he gladly did it for the good of our non-profit organization.

“Somehow, Jim always found the time to make a difference to soccer in so many ways,” commented ENYYSA President Richard Christiano.

For all this volunteering, Jim was inducted into the HVYSL Hall of Fame in 2006 and the Eastern New York Hall of Fame in 2013.

The Brooklyn native became involved with organized soccer over 30 years ago but his friendship with another prominent member of the local soccer community lasted even longer. Jim met Steve Padaetz, now the Massapequa Soccer Club’s Chief Club Administrator, when Jim was in his early twenties and Steve was 17. They played street, deck and floor hockey together in the Brooklyn Iceless Hockey Association (BIHA) for nearly a decade, then volunteered decades later on Eastern New York’s Risk Management Committee.

Steve said, “As a young man, Jim had a tough street-wise exterior but his hard exterior belied his kindness and his passion. He was an extremely loyal person and that showed in how he played.”

Visitation is this Wednesday, September 4 from 4-8 pm at the Joseph J. Smith Funeral Home at 692 US-6, Mahopac, NY 10541. The funeral will be held on Thursday, September 5, 11 am at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 30 Clapboard Road, Danbury, CT 06811.

LIJSL Teams Donate to Breast Cancer Research Through the Pink Ribbon Soccer Festival

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

August 15, 2024-Four Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) teams in the Girls-Under-12 and Girls-Under-13 age groups played friendly games against one another on Sunday, August 11 on fields marked with pink lines at the Peter Collins Soccer Park in Plainview. Baymen United, Mount Sinai Galaxy, Northport/Cow Harbor Panthers and Plainedge X-Treme all had fun in the 18th Annual Pink Ribbon Soccer Festival. Additionally, four adult coed teams made up of Estée Lauder employees from their offices on Long Island and in New York City were part of the action as well.

“We’re so appreciative of all the people here today. Many thanks to Stephanie Hernandez and the LIJSL staff who schedule the event. Big thanks to the amazing referees who donate their precious time every year to make the games official and so much fun,” said event coordinator and Estée Lauder employee Carlos Ospina. “Love the spirit from the players, coaches, parents and refs as they wear their pink!”

Carlos, the Lynbook/East Rockaway Soccer Club President, formerly coached LIJSL teams Lynbrook/East Rockaway Lizards (boys) and Lynbrook/East Rockaway Landsharks (girls) before they graduated from youth soccer and now coaches the Lynbrook/East Rockaway TOPSoccer Program.

Through player entry fees, breast cancer support merchandise sales and raffle tickets, over $4,000 was raised for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, founded by Evelyn Lauder in 1992. A particularly coveted item during the raffle were US Soccer balls signed by the United States Women’s National Team players who had just won the Gold Medal at the Paris Olympics.

Refs from the Long Island Soccer Referee Association (LISRA) donated their time in officiating from 9 am to 2 pm.

The LIJSL, through its partnership with the Estée Lauder Companies and Breast Cancer Research Foundation, has donated the use of the Peter Collins Soccer Park since the inaugural Pink Ribbon Soccer Festival in 2004. This wonderful event took a break from 2020 to 2022 because of the pandemic.

Teams from the LIJSL, the largest league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), are also encouraged to wear pink and play with pink soccer balls throughout October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

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