Eastern NY Youth Soccer Association

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US Youth Soccer

Three Eastern New York Clubs Receive the Innovate to Grow Grant

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/

Last Chance to Register Your Team For the State Cup in Most Age Groups

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

January 4, 2026-There are two different cup competitions for supremacy in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA).

The US Youth Soccer ENYYSA State Cup Championship (formerly the State Open Cup) is for the top teams and it’s the pathway to Nationals. There are no Regionals anymore and State Cup champion teams go directly to Nationals.

Under-12 to Under-17 team registration, both boys and girls, is $500. It’s linked here. The deadline to register is January 29.

Under-18/19 registration in one age group, both boys and girls, also is $500 and is linked here. The deadline is March 25 as that competition kicks off in May.

The Challenge Cup is for all teams at Under-10 and Under-11 as there is not a State Open Cup in those age groups. For Under-12 to Under-16, it’s for mid- to lower-tier squads. It’s $300 per team. Boys and girls teams can register for the Challenge Cup by clicking here. The deadline to register is January 15.

For more info about the US Youth Soccer ENYYSA State Cup Championship or Challenge Cup being played this spring, please phone the ENYYSA office at 516-766-0849.

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