Aleksei Roschko, NJYS Contributor (Photo by Cos Lymperopoulos)
New Jersey Youth Soccer continues its celebration of the NJYS Annual Awards Presented by RWJBarnabas Health, officially announcing Scotch Plains Fanwood Soccer Club as the 2022 NJYS Recreation Program of the Year. This award is presented each year to highlight the accomplishments and dedication that a recreation program has initiated to its players and community.
Scotch Plains Fanwood Soccer Club (SPF Soccer) is a nonprofit that was established in 1977, and the organization is run by parent volunteers. More than 1,300 recreation players were registered this past fall, which was the highest recreation enrollment for a club within NJ Youth Soccer. An overlying aspiration of SPF Soccer is to represent its community's passion, dedication and commitment for the game of soccer. The club also places a high priority on inclusion and a supportive learning environment that fosters the development of all players, both on and off the field.
SPF Soccer starts their recreation program with an introduction to soccer at the junior level, initially focusing on each player establishing a love for the game that will last a lifetime. The club also maintains a senior recreation league that introduces travel elements through participation in the Suburban Youth Soccer League.
“As our Mission Statement details, we believe we are one of the premier soccer towns in New Jersey, and we work to represent our community's deep passion and commitment to the game of soccer,” said Matt Rosenthal, President of Scotch Plains Fanwood Soccer Club. “With a Junior Recreation Program that runs from U4 through U10, a Senior Recreation Program for our U11 and older players that participates in the Suburban Youth Soccer League, a Pre-Travel Program we call Diamond Academy that focuses on the finer, technical aspects of the game and prepares players for our Travel Program (which had tremendous success this past year winning two State Cup titles), a TOPSoccer Program that we kicked off in 2022, and even adult programs, we provide all members of our community - from 2 to 99 - access to developmentally appropriate levels of soccer and high quality training. We are extremely honored and proud to be recognized by NJYS with this award, and further cement that Scotch Plains-Fanwood is a soccer town!”
The goal of SPF Soccer is to serve its players while creating a fun and positive experience for all players, parents, volunteers, coaches and trainers. Further, the club aims to create an environment where players desire to return each season while developing a lifelong love of the game, all the while emphasizing skill development, teamwork, sportsmanship and respect for the entire soccer community. SPF Soccer aspires to maintain innovative and high-quality programs with professional training that are financially accessible while challenging and stimulating player progression at every age, level and ability.
NJ Youth Soccer held its 2023 NJYS Annual Awards Dinner Presented by RWJBarnabas Health this past February, where many players, coaches and guests of the soccer community were on hand at the Pines Manor in Edison, N.J. With more than 1,000 attendees, the event saw a capacity crowd in attendance for the annual celebration.
To find out more information about New Jersey Youth Soccer or to contact us directly, please email [email protected] Also make sure to follow us on social media: @NJYouthSoccer