By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
October 26, 2017-On Friday night, October 27, the Staten Island Youth Soccer League (SIYSL), the southernmost league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), will host a series of games under the lights at the Owl Hollow Soccer Complex on Arthur Kill Road. Eight teams from the Girls-Under-11 age group will kick off their games at 6:30 pm as part of a fundraiser and awareness event for children stricken with pediatric cancer. Four teams will wear black uniforms with gold lettering while their opponents will wear gold uniforms with black lettering, symbolizing the colors of pediatric cancer awareness.
The origin of this event began at one of the league's Monthly Directors Meeting while the Committee for Charity was making a report. It came to light that one of the SIYSL players, Maggie Russo from Our Lady of Good Council Soccer Club, had been undergoing treatment for cancer and was currently in remission. Maggie's mom, Mary Beth, the Assistant Director for the club, mentioned that she knows of a few charities that would be good causes for the committee to support.
Fast forward to this month, and the league is sponsoring this awareness night and hopes to raise funds for The Mighty Mike Foundation.
“We were hoping to do something special not only for the cause but to show support for one of our own,” explained SIYSL President Bill Smith. “In addition to the uniforms, all players will be wearing the number 10 in honor of Maggie who continues to fight and overcome the obstacles facing her."
The league is encouraging everyone to attend, donations will be accepted and all proceeds will be turned over to The Mighty Mike Foundation in Maggie's name.
“We would like to thank everyone in advance for their support and generosity. Thank you to our club directors for supporting us and a special thank-you to Nick Senise of Notre Dame Academy, as well as all of the Girls Catholic High School Athletic Association coaches and players who are coming to volunteer and help with our fundraising activities,” added Smith
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 11 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/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.