By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
March 8, 2018- 10,000 soccer fans are expected to come to the 36th Annual Long Island Junior Soccer League Convention on March 9, 10 and 11 at the Huntington Hilton on Route 110 in Melville.
The fun kicks off at 7:00 pm this Friday night, March 9 with the Annual Awards Dinner as the Volunteer of the Year from LIJSL clubs will be honored as well as the three newest inductees into the LIJSL Hall of Fame. This Friday night, Joe Camarda of the Rocky Point Soccer Club, Theresa Dawes of the Terryville Soccer Club and Bessie Lamonica of Oceanside United will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Attending a few of the dinners in the past decade has been Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY), who has lauded LIJSL volunteers every time he has come as the Senator knows all about their importance since his daughter grew up playing soccer in the LIJSL.
At 7:00 pm on Saturday, March 10 in Salon D, the Long Island Soccer Player Hall of Fame will honor its seven newest Hall of Famers: Ron Antanasio and Bobby Auletta (both from Oceanside United), Ron Eden (Brentwood), Alain Maca (Massapequa), Dan McCrudden and John McCrudden (both from Kings Park) and Chris Tyson (Northport).
Although there is a fee for attending both dinners, admission to the rest of the LIJSL Convention is absolutely free. Throughout the day on Saturday, March 10 and on Sunday morning, March 11, there will be LIJSL Sportsmanship Award presentations, meetings for club presidents, coaches and volunteers plus coaches and referee clinics as thousands of people purchase soccer items.
Highlights include:
• Advanced Technical Training: Passing and Receiving. The importance of good technique, especially when it comes to fundamentals. Presented by LIJSL Player Development Program clinician Bart Polster. At 9:00 am on Saturday in Salon D. To guarantee a seat, please click here to register: http://www.lijsoccer.com/configure/uploads/1518025055Demonstrationsignup.pdf
• W.I.N. For Youth Coaches and Parents. Find out What’s Important Now in today’s youth soccer in an enlightening look at deciphering what’s relevant and pressing for youth players. Presented by longtime youth coach Vince Ganzberg, who served as Director of Coaching Education for Indiana Soccer from 2001 to 2011. At 10:00 am on Saturday in the Heckscher Room.
• American Red Cross CPR/AED Training. On Saturday at 10:00 am in the Mattituck Room. To register, click here: http://www.lijsoccer.com/configure/uploads/1517427758CPRregistration.pdf
• Improving Soccer IQ Through Player-Centered Environments. Highlights activities that give the problem-solving back to the players for improved learning and engagement. Presented by Bryan Alcantara, Manager of Coaching Education for the New York Red Bulls. At 10:30 am on Saturday in Salon D. To guarantee a seat, please click here to register: http://www.lijsoccer.com/configure/uploads/1518025055Demonstrationsignup.pdf
• Speed of Play in the Modern Game. Pure speed, technical speed and mental speed will all be demonstrated. Presented by LIJSL Director of Coaching Education John Fitzgerald. At noon on Saturday in Salon D. To guarantee a seat, please click here to register: http://www.lijsoccer.com/configure/uploads/1518025055Demonstrationsignup.pdf
• A bilingual College Forum (English/Spanish) for high school freshmen, sophomores and juniors. The expert panel will talk about what every parent and player needs to know, including NCAA requirements, financial aid packages plus picking the college that’s right for you! From 2:30 to 4:30 pm on Saturday in Salon D.
• United Soccer Coaches 4v4 Diploma, a three-hour course designed for those who will be coaching youth soccer players from 4 to 10 years of age. From 9 am to noon on Sunday in Salon D. To register, click here: http://www.lijsoccer.com/configure/uploads/15174276774v4Course.pdf
The full schedule is linked here. For more information about the 36th Annual LIJSL Convention, please contact the league at 631-648-9020 or log on to www.lijsoccer.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 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 Special Children. 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.