Innovate to Grow

New Jersey Youth Soccer recently launched its Recreation Referee Program in four member clubs over the course of the fall season. The clubs that participated this fall were Freehold Soccer League, Scotch Plains Fanwood Soccer Club, Rahway Youth Soccer Association and Clark Soccer Club. Each of the clubs hosted their own program, which incorporated Respect, Positivity, Experience and Laws of the Game to reduce information overload for young aspiring referees.

“Our Recreation Referee Program gives the opportunity to the kids participating in each club to start a path to refereeing,” said Bree Cassidy, NJYS Grant Program Manager. “This program reduces the information to helps kids learn the basics of refereeing in small-sided games within their club.”

The developing referees in the NJYS Recreation Referee Program learned the basic mechanics related to officiating and applicable laws of the game, uniform and equipment, as well as ongoing education. The program aims to minimize barriers to help these developing referees start a pathway to officiating.

“We are so delighted to be partnering with NJYS on this Program. With the support of this program, we have already seen a few of our Junior Referees complete their Grassroots Licensing this season, and we have several others in the pipeline,” said Matt Rosenthal, President of Scotch Plains Fanwood Soccer Club. “Perhaps most importantly, this has given us the opportunity to further our ‘Respect the Referee’ efforts across our coaches, players and families as well as we have made significant efforts – through yellow ‘Minor Referee’ wristbands, signage on our fields, and social media and email communications – to bring attention to the role of the referee on the field, and the need for all of us to treat them with respect!”

The Recreation Referee Program is also sponsoring young referees to become US Soccer Grassroots Referees and join the competitive referee pool. Further, the program taking place in each club is tackling sideline misconduct and misbehavior with its Respect The Refs and Positivity Campaign to promote cornerstone values. NJ Youth Soccer is also pleased to confirm that the Recreation Referee Program will continue to take place with participating clubs during the spring.

To contact New Jersey Youth Soccer, please email communications@njyouthsoccer.com. Also make sure to follow us on social media: @NJYouthSoccer

New Jersey Youth Soccer ran its Let’s Play! Program in two locations this fall, hosting sessions at Freehold Intermediate School and Roseville Community Charter School. Both programs included six weeks of soccer sessions that not only focused on the fundamentals of soccer, but also included SEL skills along with health and wellness.

“The Let’s Play! Programs that were hosted this fall held tremendous value to the kids participating in both locations,” said Breeana Cassidy, NJYS Grant Program Manager. “Soccer is the vehicle leading these sessions, but these kids were able to learn topics to help with their emotional and physical well-being.”

The Let’s Play! Program in Newark started this fall at Roseville Community Charter School. The program ran after school for six weeks with up to 30 student participants. Students in the program were led by Coach Alex Lalaoui, where they enjoyed learning the game of soccer but also focused on educational and academic achievement. Additionally, the players had an opportunity to learn about Gotham FC and the New York Red Bulls, both of which are NJYS partners.

“The partnership between the NJYS Let’s Play! Program and Roseville Community Charter School has been amazing and a great benefit to our scholars,” said Dr. Dionne Ledford, RCCS Executive Director & Superintendent. “Scholars who might not have had the chance to play a team sport like soccer had the chance to do so through this pilot program, and we are so grateful to NJ Youth Soccer for this opportunity for our students to learn the game and learn about health and wellness. We look forward to our continued partnership on behalf of our scholars!”

The Newark Let’s Play! sessions featured Gotham FC players Maitane Lopez and Kristen Edmonds. Maitane and Kristen helped students learn more about the professional game of soccer while also covering topics that featured the health and well-being of a young student athlete.

“The Let’s Play! Program offers players a unique opportunity to play and learn at their own pace, in an exciting and enjoyable environment allowing them to connect comfortably with the ball and feel the true ownership of the beautiful game,” said Coach Alex Lalaoui, US Soccer Federation & NJYS Educator. “We coaches are there simply to guide, facilitate and serve them.”

NJ Youth Soccer also re-collaborated this fall with the Freehold Intermediate School and the 21st Century Program to continue the Let’s Play! Program. The Let’s Play! Program in Freehold ran after school for six weeks while having a participation of up to 30 students. The program was led to teach the basics of soccer and incorporated social and emotional learning topics to its student participants.

“The 21st Century Program gives students opportunities to grow, learn and gain skills for the future,” said Brooke Shaw, Project Director of 21st Century. “The Let’s Play! Program will be beneficial to the Freehold Borough Middle School and soccer programs long-term. We are very excited to continue this program.”

The Let’s Play! Program will continue to take place in both Freehold and Newark locations during the spring over the course of six weeks in April and May. The Let’s Play! Program is focused on reducing negative behavior, improving mental health and well-being, and improving educational and academic achievement, all while growing excitement around the beautiful game of soccer.

To contact New Jersey Youth Soccer, please email communications@njyouthsoccer.com. Also make sure to follow us on social media: @NJYouthSoccer

This fall, New Jersey Youth Soccer is proud to pilot a Student Mentorship Program, officially announcing six of its members to the program. Those students are Melanie Lockwood, a junior at Montclair State University; Elvis Cuevas, a freshman from Rider University; Kyleigh Brunotte, a junior at Immaculata University; Jessica Smith, a sophomore at Ocean County College; Diego Roderiguez, a senior at Caldwell University; and Evan Rosenstock, a senior at Montclair State University.

Melanie Lockwood is majoring in psychology at Montclair State University, where she is on the path to becoming a therapist. The New Jersey native first attended Ocean County College as a freshman, where she served as captain of the women’s soccer team and helped them become 2022 NJCAA Region 19 Champions. Prior to college, Melanie spent her youth years playing for NJYS Member Club Jersey Shore BOCA and at Southern Regional High School in Stafford Township.

Elvis Cuevas is a former NJYS athlete who played on the PSA National 05 Boys Team, competing throughout the country as a youth player.

“I knew I wanted to participate in a program that has given me so many incredible memories and opportunities,” said Elvis. “I plan to enjoy and take chances on and off the field with this program.”

Kyleigh Brunotte is majoring in communication at Immaculata University. Kyleigh was a player for NJYS member club Twin County Soccer Association in Brick, New Jersey during her youth years.

“I am grateful for my family and coaches who have made soccer so enjoyable for me, and I look forward to furthering my soccer knowledge to make the game even more enjoyable for future generations with the Student Mentorship program.”

Jessica Smith is a former NJYS player, who competed throughout her youth years. Jessica currently attends Ocean County College, where she also was a part of the team that won the 2022 NJCAA Region Championship.

Diego Rodreguiz is majoring in sports management at Caldwell University. He also helps assist soccer training sessions in his free time.

“I am excited to learn the functionality of a sports organization background,” said Diego.

Evan Rosenstock is majoring in business administration at Montclair State University. Evan grew up playing for Howell United Soccer Club. Evan also continues to referee for Howell and Freehold travel teams both in, MOSA and EDP.

“I am most interested in learning different areas of the program, which includes an abundance of topic areas within NJ Youth Soccer,” said Evan.

This new initiative by NJ Youth Soccer is dedicated to using youth soccer as a vehicle for professional development and career opportunities. This developing program plans to educate students on additional leadership and growth opportunities, on and off the field.

“We look forward to a great first year with our pilot program, and we hope to leverage the scalability of this model in the future,” said Breeana Cassidy, NJYS Grant Program Manager. “NJ Youth Soccer is motivated by this unique opportunity to increase career development and provide services by introducing this opportunity to students who are in high school and college.”

The NJYS Student Mentorship Program provides students with an opportunity to establish a career-themed experience in NJ Youth Soccer Events. The practical experience at NJ Youth Soccer Events includes NJYS State Cups (Fall and Spring), NJYS Annual Awards Dinner Presented by RWJBarnabas Health, NJYS Annual General Meeting and the NJYS Let’s Play! Program.

The core of the Student Mentorship Program is an umbrella of three NJYS Services:

In addition to these mentoring services, the Student Mentorship Program also provides a scholarship opportunity and stipend travel to NJ Youth Soccer Events for the student members within the program. This initiative also provides the opportunity of receiving free training (e.g. coaching education).

“We are thrilled to support the program with an Innovate to Grow grant, as programs that focus on mentorship and economic empowerment are in line with our vision that soccer can positively impact lives and communities,” said Melissa Radke, Director of Grants & Member Programs at US Soccer.

NJ Youth Soccer is still looking to accept more students into its Student Mentorship Program for the fall! Students who are interesting in taking part should submit their inquiry (please include a resume) to breeana@njyouthsoccer.com.

About U.S. Soccer’s Innovate to Grow Fund
Recognizing the vital role that its member organizations play in the growth of soccer in the U.S., U.S. Soccer established the Innovate to Grow (ITG) Fund in 2017 to help U.S. Soccer member organizations launch new and innovative programs designed to grow participation in their markets, providing up to $3 million of funding total per year. Since its inception, ITG has granted over $9.8 million in funding through 145 awards to U.S. Soccer members across the country, as well as provide COVID-19 relief and recovery funds during 2020 and 2021. Learn more about U.S. Soccer’s members at https://www.ussoccer.com/organization-members.