By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
April 8, 2015-Change was promised and it’s here, in the communities throughout the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) where they are seizing the chance.
Within the last month, since Eastern New York and its 11 leagues announced the “F” license initiative, more than 400 youth coaches who previously had no coaching education are now armed with their “F” license to help their teams have a great Spring Season.
Staten Island alone had more than 175 coaches attend “F” license practical modules and according to Staten Island Youth Soccer League (SIYSL) President Bill Smith, the response to the course has been fantastic.
“The Staten Island Youth Soccer League has made it mandatory for all coaches to have a F license by this fall,” commented SIYSL President Smith. “I watched a class the other day and all the coaches were involved in the activities. As they were leaving, the comments were all positive, so positive that the coaches want to know when we can run an ‘E’ class.”
The success of the “F” field sessions on Staten Island was mirrored by “F” course sessions run at the 13th Annual East Hudson Youth Soccer League (EHYSL) Coaches Convention on March 21. Three coaches from the instructional staff of Eastern New York organized sessions for more than 70 coaches. The combination of the two-hour online module and the 90-minute field session was a huge hit.
“The East Hudson coaches have embraced the thinking that all travel team coaches should have the entry level license, at the very least,” said EHYSL President Jim Purdy. “Many of those same coaches have also indicated they will be pursuing higher level licenses going forward. Clearly good news for all the young soccer players they coach in our league.”
Further “F” courses have been offered in both the Capital District Youth Soccer League (CDYSL) and in clubs that play in the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL). The feedback has been consistent, according to Tim Bradbury, the Director of Coaching Instruction for Eastern New York.
Tim stated, “When 100% of the feedback you receive on a course is that those who attended believe it should be taken by all and that the overwhelming comment is I wish I had done this sooner, then you have hit home a winner. Because of the ‘F’ initiative, for the first time ever, thousands of players within Eastern New York will have educated coaches this season.”
Eastern New York already has clubs like East Meadow, Merrick, Manhasset, Rockville Centre, Rhinebeck and beyond setting dates for their “F” practical. To set your club dates and times, simply e-mail Joanne Roth at Joanne@enysoccer.com to help your players grow to their potential.
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.