News

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

February 5, 2024-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased announce that Maureen Spaulding has been honored as our 2023 Administrator of the Year. She shared the honors with Jean-Marie Maio of the Long Island Soccer Referees Association (LISRA). Both women received their awards at the Eastern New York Hall of Fame Banquet on January 27 at Marina del Rey in the Bronx.

Maureen is currently the Treasurer and Director of Recreation Leagues for the Cornwall United Soccer Club in the Hudson Valley Youth Soccer League (HVYSL). She was nominated by Cornwall United President Rob Kirkpatrick, who wrote, “Maureen directs our Recreation League, which has proven to be an enormous success by serving players ranging from Pre-K children (some of whom might literally show up to practice with a blanket or stuffed animal) to teenagers seeking important recreational outlets.

Maureen’s counsel to me has been invaluable in my first year as President and her encyclopedic knowledge of club history informs every Board meeting. I often find myself thinking ‘What would Maureen do?’ 

Finally, Maureen has inspired her entire family to make contributions to our club. Her sons serve as coaches for teams and clinics. Her husband recently measured field dimensions to help us determine the best solution for sharing the town’s one multi-use property. Maureen is not merely a member of our Board of Directors, she is a Cornwall United Soccer Club institution!”

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/

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

February 6, 2024-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased announce that Jean-Marie Maio of the Long Island Soccer Referees Association (LISRA) has been honored as our 2023 Administrator of the Year. She shared the award with Maureen Spaulding of the Cornwall United Soccer Club. Both women were honored at our Hall of Fame Banquet on January 27 at Marina del Rey in the Bronx.

Jean-Marie has been a member of the LISRA Board of Directors for the past 16 years, volunteering as the Recording Secretary for the past decade. Additionally, she serves as Chairperson of the LISRA Scholarship Committee, Director of Referee Development and was unanimously voted to become the Assistant Referee Director last year. 

She is a major reason why LISRA is by far the largest referee organization in Eastern New York with over 1,000 members. 

LISRA President Cathy Caldwell wrote, “At Board meetings, if something needs to be taken care of, Jean-Marie is the first one to volunteer. Her attitude is so positive, she inspires others to do more…Jean-Marie has been my ‘Right-Hand Woman’ for my decade-plus as LISRA President. I implicitly trust her judgment, her drive to make sure everything runs smoothly and, together, we have worked out a system of checks and balances to assure a well-run organization. I’m continually impressed by her selflessness, initiative and work ethic.”

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/

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

February 7, 2024-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased announce that Noe Canales has been honored as our 2023 Peter C. Collins Volunteer of the Year. The festivities took place at the Eastern New York Hall of Fame Banquet held on January 27 at Marina del Rey in the Bronx.Noe possesses a National Youth Certificate from US Soccer along with a dual Masters of Science degrees in Early Childhood Special Education, focusing on severe and multiple challenges. He applies these qualifications as a full-time bilingual special education teacher in Middle Village.

Noe founded Soccer Kids NYC, an inclusive soccer program for young children with seven travel teams now playing in the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL). Noe grew up playing in the CJSL and received a college scholarship after a standout performance in the CJSL Showcase.

Comments about Noe from the parents of Soccer Kids NYC players include, “When we signed up Brandon for soccer at age two with Coach Noe, we never expected that he would be blessed with such an amazing soccer coach, mentor and friend. Not only is Brandon learning critical soccer skills from a passionate expert, but he is learning listening skills, teamwork, how to think on his own, share, persevere through challenges and problem-solve. Noe makes every child feel special and capable of succeeding…Coach Noe is truly amazing with kids as he is patient, creative, funny, caring and has a lot of experience…I have seen an increase in my 5-year-old son’s confidence and overall skill level every season while working with Coach Noe…He has the magical gift of making children focus while they enjoy themselves.”

The Volunteer of the Year Award is just one of many awards that Noe has received, which includes Soccer Kids NYC being honored with the CJSL New Club Award (2023) and the Best Soccer Club in Queens for seven consecutive years (2016-23). Noe received a Star Under 40 for his exceptional leadership skills (2017) and the Merle Frampton Certificate of Excellence and Outstanding Performance in Special Education Teaching and Community Service (2013). Additionally, Soccer Kids NYC received a citation from the New York State Assembly for Soccer Kids NYC’s substantial positive impact on the community (2017).

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/

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

January 29, 2024-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Michael D’Ambrosio has been inducted into the Eastern New York Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place at the Eastern New York Hall of Fame Banquet on January 27 at Marina del Rey in the Bronx.

ENYYSA President Richard Christiano stated, “Local soccer people know that when you need something done, you can call and depend on Mike D’Ambrosio. It’s incredible the number of hours he volunteers for soccer and other organizations. Somehow in his free time, he also finds the time to serve on the Oceanside School Board since 2013, volunteer on the Pastoral Council of St. Anthony’s Church in Oceanside and work as the Deputy to the Nassau County Commissioner of Parks. Michael continues to work, volunteer, is dedicated, selfless with a heart of gold we all know and love him for.”

Mike’s soccer journey started back in 1988 when he started coaching his daughter Danielle for Oceanside United. Mike was very busy moving up the ladder as a volunteer at the Oceanside United Soccer Club, serving on the Board of Directors from 1989 to 2003. He volunteered as Intramural Director, Bob Schrager Labor Day Tournament Director, and Co-Director of the Rudy Lamonica Indoor Tournament. If volunteering for Oceanside United was not enough, he started volunteering for the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Board of Directors in 2004 and continues that to this day.

He has served as a Trustee, then Vice President and was inducted into LIJSL Hall of Fame in 2017. As the league grew, so did Mike’s dedication. 

Former LIJSL President Addie Mattei-Iaia explained, “Michael D’Ambrosio is the best of the best when it comes to being a volunteer. I have known Michael for more than 25 years, part of which he served on the LIJSL Board of Directors during my tenure as President. Whenever I needed a job done, he was the one I went to. He never questioned, just would say ‘You got it.’ Loyal, honest, dependable and friend is my best description of Michael.“ 

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/

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

January 30, 2024-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is pleased to announce that Dimitri Giatrakis was inducted into the Eastern New York Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place at the Eastern New York Hall of Fame Banquet on January 27 at Marina del Rey in the Bronx.

From left to right: ENYYSA President Richard Christiano, Dimitri Giatrakis, Hall of Fame Committee Chairperson Ken Gulmi

Dimitri began his coaching career approximately 30 years ago in Clarkstown. In fact, Matt Turner, our current US National Team goalkeeper, played his youth soccer there under Coach Dimitri all the way through to college. And they are still in touch with one another! Committed to achieving excellence as a coach, he completed licensing courses until he achieved the highest level: The US Soccer National A license. One of very few to do so at that time. He was so highly regarded that the National Coaching Staff added him as an instructor in the Federation’s National C course and he was one of only three in New York State.

In the early days of the East Hudson Youth Soccer League (EHYSL) Academy, Dimitri assumed the position of League Technical Director for several years and authored full-season lesson plans for every single age group from Under-10 through Under-19 including objectives, coaching strategies, practice sessions, etc. These lesson plans gave those early days a consistent and well-structured developmental program from youth soccer entry to aging out.

For over 20 years, Dimitri has coached teams from Mahopac, Yorktown, Shrub Oak and the Town of Cortlandt and is still coaching to this day in what is now known as the Hudson Valley Youth Soccer League (HVYSL). He served six years as Technical Director for Boys ODP North and added Girls ODP North as well for the last two, building a coaching staff that set a record for the number of players placed in the Region 1 player pool. Furthermore, his own team made it to the national finals before losing in a shootout. At present, his love of coaching has led him to return to the Eastern New York Olympic Development Program (ODP), accepting a coaching position on the current staff.

As if all this coaching was not enough, Dimitri is also a US Soccer-certified referee for the past two decades and is still refereeing.

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/

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

January 31, 2024-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Lawrence (Pete) Sand has been inducted into the Eastern New York Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place at the Eastern New York Hall of Fame Banquet on January 27 at Marina del Rey in the Bronx.

Pete is a referee icon in the Albany area and there is no one currently alive in the state who has been a referee as long as him (64 years) and he is still refereeing at the age of 88. We have no idea how many games Pete has officiated but over the years, he has refereed at the scholastic and college level plus the Capital District Youth Soccer League (CDYSL). Additionally, he also was a referee in the professional American Soccer League (ASL), and even refereed in Scotland in 1983. 

Pete has been inducted into the Halls of Fame of both of the CDYSL and CD-Ref, the Capital District’s soccer ref association. Other awards include the 1981 Section 2 Golden Thread Award as the outstanding high school referee and the 2002 New York State College Referee of the Year. Way back when, he was one of the co-founders of the CDYSL in 1978.

Pete was a good soccer player first, then became a good referee, and eventually became a good youth coach of his own children. He always seemed to have an understanding that soccer was only a game and not a ‘life or death’ matter. As he became older, he developed hearing issues and instead of giving up on the sport that he loved, he continued to officiate. 

As a youngster, Pete played soccer for the Albany Sports Club, then was MVP and All-American at Ithaca College before he started refereeing and coaching.

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/

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

January 11, 2024-Indoor tournaments and futsal leagues dot the landscape of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) during the winter. But the hardy souls of Juventus Academy New York started an outdoor Winter Tournament last year which has gained in popularity. 23 teams played last year and it has more than doubled with 49 boys squads from Under-10 to Under-16 competing this winter. Juventus Academy had entered into a strategic partnership with the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL) to organize the Winter Tournament.

“I was a pro player back in Italy and played outdoors in all weather conditions,” stated Giovanni Russo, President of the Juventus Academy New York. “When I moved to the United States 12 years ago, I found out that teams play indoor tournaments and futsal during the winter because of the harsh weather. Futsal improves technical skills but it takes a few weeks for the players to adjust to playing outdoor soccer again in March so we created the Winter Tournament.”

All games are played in accordance with US Soccer’s Cold Weather Guidelines on turf fields on Randall’s Island, Queens and Brooklyn as Juventus Academy partnered with other CJSL clubs in finding available fields. Games started in December and run until the semifinals on March 2 and the championship games on March 9.

Russo added, “It is a competitive tournament, the level of play has become better but the emphasis is on safety. My staff tries to be at all the games.”

Some CJSL clubs have teams that are playing in the Winter Tournament while other squads in the same club are playing indoors, dependent on the choice of the team and coach.

For more info about the NY Winter Tournament, please contact Giovanni Russo at 917-558-1551 or giorusso@juventusnyc.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/

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

January 3, 2024-Over 100,000 children and teenagers, from the East End of Long Island to the Canadian border, play soccer in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA). Although some have gone on to play professional soccer plus in the World Cup and Olympics, all have learned the value of teamwork, perseverance, sportsmanship and getting along with others through the life lessons they have learned on our soccer fields. Here are the Top 10 Reasons why we have so many players:

1. State Cup. Eastern New York has two levels of the State Cup––the State Open Cup and the Challenge Cup––so every premier and travel team in Eastern New York has a chance to win a state championship. Both competitions try to schedule games against local opponents as much as possible. The finals of both will be played on June 1 and 2, 2024 at Stringham Park in LaGrange as that first weekend in June will be a celebration of New York soccer. 

2. National Championship. For ambitious teams looking to play against top competition and possibly win a national championship, they can do it through the State Open Cup as it’s part of the National Championship Series. After winning the State Open Cup, they would move on to Regionals and potentially Nationals. Or they could become a national champ through the US Youth Soccer National League. The top teams earn advancement to the Regionals as well as a chance to earn a coveted spot in the National Tier of the Leagues Program. Last year, the Girls-Under-18 national championship game featured two teams from Eastern New York: champions Patriots FC and Middle Country SBMC.

3. Olympic Development Program. ODP is considered the highest level of competition in each state association. Every year, players must be re-evaluated by the ODP professional staff of coaches for a position on each age-specific team. The identification process ends each summer with the most elite players within the East Region competing for a position on the regional team. Players are then identified by US Soccer staff coaches for possible entry to the national team program. Yet even those players who do not make the regional or the national teams often use ODP as a springboard to college scholarships and even on to professional soccer.

4. TOPSoccer. This is a wonderful program for Children With Special Needs. Special Children playing soccer in an organized league started in Eastern New York back in 1978 when the Huntington Boys Club (HBC) and Massapequa Soccer Club separately started programs in an era when Special Children playing sports is not as accepted as it is today. Craig Ludin, who has Down’s Syndrome and has been playing for HBC since he was a young boy, received so many medals in the Special Olympics that he was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame over a decade ago. Craig’s teammate John Cronin started a very successful local business, John’s Crazy Socks, with his father Mark. 

5. Futsal. Futsal is the only version of indoor soccer approved by FIFA, soccer’s world governing body. The surface, ball, and rules together favor ball control in small spaces and futsal is increasingly cited in the discussion on how to improve player development, particularly in the winter months here in Eastern New York where outdoor fields are frozen and unplayable. Both New York Futsal and the Long Island Futsal League play under the Eastern York umbrella and both are very active with league play this winter. 

6. Risk Management. To protect our players, Eastern New York conducts background checks on coaches and referees before they participate in our games. They must pass this background check every two years to continue to be involved in our competitions. Eastern New York also provides awareness education to coaches, communicating information regarding field and player safety.

7. Coaching Education. The coaching licensing curriculum provides all soccer coaches, from the beginner to the advanced, with up-to-date theoretical and practical knowledge so that Eastern New York coaches can help our players develop to their full potential. Coaches can earn state and national coaching credentials plus the courses offer valuable information and current coaching trends state-wide, nationally and internationally. All courses are available in both English and Spanish.

8. SAT and ACT Prep Courses. Eastern New York provides exclusive, free access to acclaimed SAT and ACT prep courses from eKnowledge, which is normally a $250 value. These courses can be taken online or via DVD, which makes them ideal for our busy student/athletes. Contact Siokbee Usaraga at siokbee@eknowledge.com

9. College Scholarships. Every summer, Eastern New York awards college scholarships to help defray the cost of college for deserving high school seniors. Five Eastern New York leagues––Capital District Youth Soccer League, Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League, East Hudson Youth Soccer League, Long Island Junior Soccer League and the Staten Island Youth Soccer League––all have separate scholarship programs as well.

10. Support of All Leagues, Players, Coaches and Refs. Eastern New York provides insurance for all its competitions, hosts referee certification and recertification, promotes member leagues, and recently helped secure a new turf soccer field at Big Bush Park in Woodside that started play last fall.

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/