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New Jersey Youth Soccer

2023 NJYS Annual General Meeting

The 2023 NJYS Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Saturday, February 11th. During this meeting, elections will be held, in accordance with the NJ Youth Soccer Bylaws, for open positions on the Board of Directors (Executive Committee and Members-At-Large).

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

We are thrilled to announce Skip Gilbert, CEO of US Youth Soccer (USYS), and Skye Eddy, founder of the Soccer Parenting Association as our keynote speakers 
at this year’s Annual General Meeting.

Skip Gilbert is the CEO of US Youth Soccer (USYS) the largest youth soccer organization in the country with more than 2.5 million registered players. Using the broad reach of 54 State Associations, USYS develops and supports programming to fulfill its vision to bring communities together through the power of soccer, making lifelong fans of the sport.  Gilbert has served in leadership roles with several Olympic organizations over the course of his career including the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), the United States Tennis Association (USTA), USA Triathlon, USA Swimming and US Soccer. He currently is the Board Chair of the Association for Chief Executives for Sport (ACES) and previously served in the same capacity for the National Governing Bodies Council (NGBC).

A true team player and leader, Gilbert played soccer for the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the NASL, the US Olympic Development Team, and in England, Holland, and Hong Kong. He is a licensed soccer coach and was elected into the University of Vermont and the Lawrenceville School Athletic Hall of Fame. Gilbert joined USYS in January of 2020 and resides in Lakewood Village, TX with his wife Jenifer. They have three children.

“Having played most of my youth club soccer in New Jersey, it’s an honor and a privilege to return to the state and be a part of the AGM,” said US Youth Soccer CEO Skip Gilbert.  “Evan Dabby and his team deliver on NJYSA’s mission of providing fun and safe soccer experiences for the Garden State youth soccer community. I’m excited to spend time at the AGM to celebrate their successes from this past year and learn firsthand the organization’s plans for growth and innovation.”

Skye Eddy is the founder of the Soccer Parenting Association with a mission of inspiring players by empowering parents. Skye is a sought after speaker for parents, coaches, clubs, and players. A former professional player, Skye was a collegiate and youth All-American goalkeeper, Defensive MVP of the Final Four (1993) and State Champion track athlete. Skye has coached extensively in the youth and collegiate games. An MBA graduate of the University of Richmond, Skye has earned her USSF "B" License, the USSF National Goalkeeper License, the USSF Grassroots Instructors License, and is a sought after Coach & Parent Educator and Club Consultant.  Her keynote address “How Soccer Can Connect and Inspire” will help us celebrate our incredible soccer community while highlighting the role each of us can play to ensure it continues to build even stronger.

“Soccer has a unique ability to connect and inspire and I look forward to bringing my messages around these ideas to the New Jersey AGM,” said Soccer Parenting Founder Skye Eddy. “New Jersey Youth Soccer Association is one of our longest-standing and most successful partnerships.  Over 50 clubs in New Jersey have embraced our messaging of trust and collaboration between parents and coaches and the result is a strong community committed to improving the game. I can’t wait to connect with club and league leaders in February!”

Candidates for the Board of Directors

The NJYS Nominating Committee is pleased to share the nominations for the slate of candidates for open Member at Large (3) positions and the Executive Committee.

Executive Committee: Each member League and each Executive Committee Member will have one (1) vote for each of these positions. Member clubs are not eligible to vote for these positions. Candidates for the Executive Committee are:

  • President: Jess Yeager
  • 2nd Vice President: Andrew Bondarowicz
  • Registrar: Robert “Casey” Becht
  • Secretary: Jen Marcella

Candidates for Members-At-Large:

  • Dana Lopes – Brick Township Soccer Association
  • Jonathan Yee – Chatham United Soccer 
  • Chuck Myers – Piscataway Soccer Club 

Members-At-Large: At this year’s AGM, three (3) Member-At-Large positions will be elected. Each Executive Committee member, League, and Club, through its delegate, will be eligible to cast three (3) votes for these positions provided the member, League, or Club is in “good standing” with NJ Youth Soccer.

Breakout Sessions

We plan to facilitate breakout sessions to engage with membership on a multitude of topics at this year's Annual General Meeting.

2026 FIFA World Cup
Representatives from the NY/NJ and Philadelphia Host Cities to provide an update on efforts for the FIFA 2026 World Cup and introduce opportunities for NJYS members to be engaged in the future.

Tryouts: Advocating for Change
Evan Dabby, NJYS Executive, will share an update on NJYS’ efforts leading the Youth Council Sub Committee advocating for change in the national youth soccer approach to tryouts.

Sideline Conduct: Soccer Parenting
Skye Eddy, Founder of Soccer Parenting, will lead a breakout group discussion about sideline conduct and what you, as youth soccer leaders, can do to mitigate these challenges.

Club Partners: ODP and Young Olympians Program
James Galanis and Lou Mignone, NJYS ODP Technical Staff, will facilitate a discussion about the Club Partner opportunity and provide insight about the NJYS player development pathway.

Risk Management: Insurance Services
Andrew Bondarowicz, NJYS 2nd Vice President, will facilitate a discussion involving insurance and Risk Management brokers servicing youth soccer.  NJYS Members will learn about options and services available to them.

Registration Services/Policies
Casey Registrar, NJYS Registrar, will lead a breakout group discussion about NJYS policies as well as provide an update from the NJYS Registration Services Advisory Board and future planning.

State Cups
Nicole Petras, NJYS Events Coordinator, will facilitate a breakout group to provide updates on the NJYS State Cups (NCS, Presidents Cup, Challenge Cup, Futsal) and facilitate an open discussion about future programming.

Coach Education

Rick Meana will lead a breakout group discussion about coaching education minimum guidelines, the US Soccer Coach Education Pathway and Initiatives, and resources available to NJYS members (e.g. YouthSoccer101, MOJO).

US Youth Soccer University
Skip Gilbert, US Youth Soccer CEO, will lead a breakout group presentation about US Youth Soccer University, its vision and the resources available to NJYS and USYS membership.

TOPSoccer Breakout Sponsored by RWJBarnabas Health
Lou Mignone, TOPSoccer Program Director, will lead a breakout group discussion about the 5 pillars for TOPSoccer program start-up success. NJYS will also provide member programs with custom activity cards.

Discipline & Appeals
Gary Mason, NJYS Discipline & Appeals Committee Chair, will lead a breakout group presentation about related policies and procedures that will include best practices for NJYS members.

Partner Breakout Sessions

Gotham FC
Representatives of our resident NWSL club - NJNY Gotham FC - will be present. As our coaches & players are working hard during pre-season in FL, they’ll be on hand to tell you all the exciting opportunities available to youth clubs & players during the upcoming season.

HEADCHECK Health
Club Administrators and Coaches: New Jersey Youth Soccer trusts HEADCHECK to provide an easy to use digital concussion and injury management system for the ODP program. Visit headcheckhealth.com or contact Josh Bowden directly at [email protected] to learn more about preventing mismanaged injuries for your athletes.

JAG-ONE Physical Therapy
JAG-ONE Physical Therapy representatives will be present to answer all questions about your physical and occupational therapy needs.  Stop by their table to learn about the services they provide and their locations throughout New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. 

New York Red Bulls Youth Programs
Develop, engage, and inspire your youth soccer community with purpose in 2023. Stop by to chat with our management team and sign up for our free club development event, the Red Bulls Youth Club Summit, taking place Sunday March 5 where we unpack hot topics in the youth soccer industry.

SportsRecruits
SportsRecruits is a club management system that simplifies college recruiting for student-athletes and club staff. Backed by data, research, and feedback from college coaches, SportsRecruits is where recruiting happens. Through our partnership with NJYS, we’re extending discounted offers to clubs onsite at the AGM. Stop by to learn more!

Stack Sports
Fueling Growth, Tech Innovation & the Next Generation across Youth Soccer (powered by Sports Connect):  Mark Wysocki, Stack Sports Senior Strategy Consultant, will lead a high-level strategic discussion on the power of innovative technology and integrated solutions to increase youth soccer participation, streamline front office processes for administrators, and empower clubs & leagues with robust reporting & financial tools.

Veo
Veo will be onsite at the AGM offering a special promotion to all NJYS attendees. Stop by the Veo table and scan the QR code to get access to the promotion. Veo will have staff on hand ready to answer any questions in regards to sales, support, or recent updates to the platform. 

YouthSoccer101
Grassroots Coaches: Having a plan in place to help attract and retain volunteer grassroots coaches:  Tyler Isaacson, Founder of Youthsoccer101, will lead a breakout session highlighting the challenges of attracting volunteer coaches and discussing some solutions to overcome these challenges.

Gipper
Create high-quality, visual branded graphics for your club in seconds, on any device, without needing any design experience using Gipper! NJYS members are eligible for 20% off any first year Gipper plan or upgrade.

Reception & Hotel Accommodations

Happy Hour/Reception

NJ Youth Soccer invites you to a happy hour on Friday night (February 10th) before the AGM from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM at the Sheraton Edison. We are eager to build our soccer community and provide this opportunity for representatives from the league, club, Staff Office, Board of Directors and NJYS Partners to meet and network. Beverages and light hor d’oeuvres will be served. 

For individuals that have already completed registration for the AGM, please RSVP by replying to [email protected]com. New registrants will have the opportunity to add a ‘ticket’ for the reception during the AGM registration process.

Hotel Options

For your convenience, NJ Youth Soccer has compiled a list of hotel options with address and room rates in the area for the 2023 NJYS Annual General Meetings at the Pines Manor in Edison on February 11, 2023. Rates below are for a Friday night stay and indicate the information provided to our office and may potential change prior to the AGM.

Sheraton Edison ($99 per night on Friday, February 10th), 1125 Raritan Center Parkway (732-471-2026). Click here to book your reservation. Please note the deadline to book using this discount rate is Wednesday, February 1st.

Hilton Garden Inn ($129 per night), 50 Raritan Center Parkway, Edison (732-225-0900)

Courtyard by Marriott ($149 per night), 3105 Woodbridge Ave, Edison (732-738-1991)

Homewood Suites by Hilton Edison ($149 per night), 100 Parsonage Rd, Edison (732-744-1011)

Agenda

  • 8:15 AM – 8:45 AM: Check-In (Breakfast, Vendor Interaction)
  • 8:45 AM – 9:00 AM: President’s Welcome (Jess Yeager)
  • 9:00 AM – 9:15 AM: Executive Director’s Report (Evan Dabby)
  • 9:15 AM – 9:45 AM: Keynote - Skye Eddy (Founder, Soccer Parenting)
  • 9:45 AM – 10:45 AM: Breakout Sessions 1
  • 10:45 AM – 11:30 AM: AGM Business and Voting
  • 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Breakout Sessions 2
  • 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM:  Lunch and Vendor Interaction
  • 1:15 PM – 1:45 PM: Keynote - Skip Gilbert (CEO, US Youth Soccer)
  • 1:45 PM – 2:45 PM:  Breakout Sessions 3
  • 2:45 PM – 3:00 PM:  AGM Business and Conclusion
Please note the agenda is subject to change. We will communicate any updates as we prioritize your member experience.

Contact Us

New Jersey Youth Soccer

3 Paragon Way, Suite 400
Freehold, New Jersey 07728

Phone: 609-490-0725
Email: [email protected]

New Jersey Youth Soccer

3 Paragon Way, Suite 400
Freehold, New Jersey 07728

Phone: 609-490-0725
Email: [email protected]
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