News

Photos: Cos Lymperopoulos

A Night to Remember

New Jersey Youth Soccer recently hosted its 2025 NJYS Awards Dinner Presented by RWJBarnabas Health, where players, coaches and members of the soccer community attended the annual celebration at the Pines Manor in Edison, New Jersey. This year’s event saw a record-setting audience of more than 1,000 attendees.

“As NJ Youth Soccer offers a full line-up of competitive, recreation and inclusive programs for kids of all ages and levels, RWJBarnabas Health is delighted to serve as a longstanding partner,” said Justin Edelman, Senior Vice President, Corporate Partnerships, RWJBarnabas Health. “The Awards Dinner continues to be a highlight of the soccer calendar, and it is inspiring to see NJYS recognize so many individuals who make a meaningful impact in communities across the state.”

Distinguished Guests and Featured Speakers

Along with hundreds of players, parents, award recipients and scholarship winners, a number of VIPs and special guests were also in attendance to celebrate the evening. Jess Yeager (President of NJ Youth Soccer), Skip Gilbert (CEO of US Youth Soccer) and Alecko Eskandarian (MLS Vice President, Player Relations and Player Development) delivered the opening remarks. Other distinguished guests in attendance included Tab Ramos, National Soccer Hall of Fame and NJYS Hall of Fame Member; Dr. Jason Krystofiak, RWJBarnabas Health Medical Director for Sports Medicine and Rutgers Athletics Team Physician; John Gallucci, CEO of JAG Physical Therapy; Dave Jervis, Senior Director of Youth Programs & Academy Business Operations for the New York Red Bulls; Nan Vogel, former Senior Vice President of Partnerships, Game Day Experience & Community/Social Impact for Gotham FC; Tony Meola, National Soccer Hall of Fame and NJYS Hall of Fame Member; as well as John Harkes, National Soccer Hall of Fame and NJYS Hall of Fame Member.

“This is where we all started, at events like this,” said Meola. “We have always had an affinity for New Jersey and the players who come out of here for obvious reasons. Truth be told, we have developed so many great players over the years, whether it has been college players, youth national team players, full national team players. There is something about the love of the game in this state that other states could only wish that they had.”

Jenna Lemoncelli, the event emcee, also helped to give the crowd an unforgettable evening. A sports and entertainment reporter at the New York Post, Lemoncelli also works as an in-game host for local professional sports teams including the New York Red Bulls, New Jersey Devils and previously the New York Sirens.

NJYS Hall of Fame Honors and Award Winner Tributes

To cap off the evening, Steve Shilling was inducted to the NJYS Hall of Fame. He was joined on stage by close friends, colleagues and fellow NJYS Hall of Fame inductees including Tab Ramos, John Harkes, Tony Meola, Glenn Crooks, Barry Towbin and Kevin Dearman. A special video tribute was created and shared with the crowd as well.

The award winners were also honored with video tributes from notable figures in the soccer community, such as John Harkes; Lauren LaRusso, Co-Chair of the NY/NJ World Cup Host Committee; Sasha Kliesjtan and Bradley Wright Phillips of the whip-around show, MLS 360; Eric LeGrand, New Jersey Hall of Fame member and recipient of many accolades such as The Jimmy V Award; Ash Hammond, CEO of the International Federation for Cerebral Palsy Football and Director of Training for Cerebral Palsy Soccer; Cindy Cone, FIFA World Cup champion and US Soccer President; and Kari Seitz, Vice President of Refereeing at US Soccer.

NJ Youth Soccer also revealed its Goal of the Year Powered by the New York Red Bulls and Save of the Year Powered by Gotham FC. Each of the winners will be invited to a home match at Sports Illustrated Stadium this season where their goal and save videos will be displayed on the arena video board. 

“I started being involved in this event 10 years ago, 300 people, a really great event. But here we are now with a capacity crowd of a thousand-plus, and we have to thank RWJBarnabas Health for playing a key role in this event’s growth,” said Evan Dabby, CEO of NJ Youth Soccer. “They got involved several years ago and really helped support us at all levels. This night is just a unique youth experience, and it would not be possible without our partners.”

A Celebration of Champions

Throughout the evening, more than 20 NJYS State Cups Champions, including US Youth Soccer Regional and National Champions, were honored. The Football Academy Black 13U Boys was recognized for their many remarkable achievements. They have won four consecutive State Cup Championships, and they are two-time USYS Eastern Regional Champions who became first-time National Champions last year. Cedar Stars Academy North 19U Boys was also noted for their claim for the oldest trophy in all of youth sports, The McGuire Cup. Each team was recognized with a team parade and photos on stage in front of the crowd, as well as being featured in their own personal Red Carpet Interview.

“Tonight is my first time coming to this event, I am blown away,” said Nan Vogel of Gotham FC on an in-house recording of Greetings From The Garden State Podcast. “The level of energy, how excited the kids are, all the different costumes and outfits and sunglasses, it’s so great to see how much fun they’re having and that they’re all celebrating each other.”

The podcast where Vogel was featured, Greetings From The Garden State, is led by host Mike Ham and was recording throughout the event. The show gave the award-winning players and legendary figures in attendance an opportunity to speak on the evolution of youth soccer in New Jersey.

Red Carpet Interviews

Renee Washington, Sidra Khan, Matthew Olaya and Sydney Rettino led the interview festivities on the Red Carpet during the NJYS Awards Dinner Presented by RWJBarnabas Health. Washington is a former New Jersey ODP player, three-time All American and Soccer Hall of Famer at LaSalle University, and currently co-host of FOS Today, the daily studio flagship show at Front Office Sports in New York. Sidra Khan is a social media and digital content creator for the NBA as well as a Rutgers University graduate student. Matthew Olaya and Sydney Rettino are student journalists from Youth Media Forward, an initiative of the Centre for Sport and Human Rights that works with teenage journalists from FIFA World Cup 2026 host cities, including New York/New Jersey. 

Exclusive ODP Meet-And-Greet

The New Jersey Olympic Development Program (ODP) was represented by USYS ODP Interregional players in attendance. These players and parents were treated to a special Meet and Greet with former New Jersey ODP and U.S. Men’s National Team player Alecko Eskandarian, who highlighted meaningful takeaways with respect to his development as a player from youth to professional levels. Eskandarian further emphasized the importance of taking accountability and responsibility for one’s own development and performance as players strive toward reaching their full potential. Following an official announcement being released earlier in the week, there was also a special opportunity to celebrate and recognize Madelyn Conklin and Stevie Ornsby on their selections to the USYS ODP National Team.

Social Media Giveaways and Partner Activation

Players also had the opportunity to win giveaways from many NJYS partners and donors as part of a social media campaign during the event. Attendees posted their best photos and videos from the night on social media for a chance to go home with a free gift from RWJBarnabas Health, New York Red Bulls, JAG Physical Therapy, SCORE, Gotham FC, Crystal Springs Resort, Major League Soccer and US Soccer.

A Team Effort Behind the Scenes

The 2025 NJYS Awards Dinner presented by RWJBarnabas Health was made possible due to the tremendous hard work and enthusiasm from a team of more than 30 NJYS staff, volunteers and student mentors. Their collective effort created an unforgettable night for all attendees.

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

Breeana Cassidy, New Jersey Youth Soccer

New Jersey Youth Soccer is excited to announce the expansion of its Let’s Play! Program, launching at two additional locations this past fall with the Boys and Girls Club of Wayne and the Boys and Girls Club of Pequannock. Both programs offered six weeks of soccer sessions that not only covered the fundamentals of the game but also incorporated social-emotional learning (SEL) skills, health and wellness.

“The Let’s Play! Programs continue to grow and deliver tremendous value to the kids at all locations,” said Breeana Cassidy, NJYS Grant Program Manager. “While soccer is the focus, there are many additional benefits that come with our Let’s Play! Programs.”

The collaboration between the Boys and Girls Club and NJ Youth Soccer’s Let’s Play! Program has grown the excitement of soccer participation at the grassroots level within schools and organizations. The afterschool program helps cultivate a passion for soccer with these young athletes, all while enhancing social and emotional development while creating awareness of health and wellness in everyday life.

“This opportunity allowed us to extend a program to our 3rd and 4th Grade After School members, as well as invite our Recreational Soccer participants, something we’ve never been able to do before,” said Dan Dipsey, Unit Director of the Boys and Girls Club. “The new equipment and personalized soccer balls sparked excitement among our members. While some were initially hesitant to step out of their comfort zones, the structured curriculum made it easy for us to break into smaller groups, encouraging more participation. By week 3, the difference was clear. Members were eager to participate and showcase the new skills they had learned. We love seeing our members stay active and embrace healthy lifestyles, and thanks to NJYS, we were able to expand our programming in ways we hadn’t previously been able to. During our final session, we celebrated their achievements by handing out shirts and medals, marking the success of the program.”

The Let’s Play! Program, which piloted in Fall 2023 at Roseville Community Charter School in Newark, has now completed its first season in the second year of the program as well. This afterschool program ran for six weeks and provided up to 30 students with soccer instruction, as well as an emphasis on academic achievement and education. Coach Juan Alvarez led the sessions, where students not only enjoyed soccer but also focused on educational success.

“The collaboration between the NJYS Let’s Play! Program and Roseville Community Charter School has been truly exceptional and incredibly beneficial to our scholars,” said Dr. Dionne Ledford, RCCS Executive Director & Superintendent. “This program has provided students, who might not have had the chance to participate in a team sport like soccer, with that opportunity. We are thankful to NJ Youth Soccer for offering our students the chance to learn the game, while also emphasizing health and wellness. We are excited to continue this partnership!”

The Let’s Play! Program will take place in four locations this spring, including Freehold Intermediate School, Roseville Community Charter School, Boys and Girls Club of Wayne, and Boys and Girls Club of Pequannock. The spring program will run for six weeks in April and May, and it will focus on reducing negative behavior, improving mental health and well-being, and enhancing academic performance, all while fostering excitement around soccer.For more information, contact New Jersey Youth Soccer at breeana@njyouthsoccer.com. Also, don’t forget to follow us on social media: @NJYouthSoccer

Reigning NWSL Champions NJ/NY Gotham FC and Girls Leadership recently hosted a virtual parent workshop, Raising Resilient Athletes, in partnership with New Jersey Youth Soccer (NJYS). This event was made possible by Gotham FC’s Keep Her in the Game Program in partnership with NJYS, South Bronx United, Charter Oak Advisory, Girls Leadership and the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund. This webinar provided a unique opportunity for parents of NJYS players representing clubs from across the state, with over 70 parents in attendance.

The event was led by Girls Leadership Co-Founder and Co-CEO Simone Marean, and featured Gotham FC Goalkeeper and Leadership Group Member Michelle Betos, who has 15 years of professional soccer experience. They focused on the pressures young girls face in sports and how to foster resilience and a growth mindset. Marean led with a discussion of cultural expectations, and how girls often feel the need to embody qualities society deems appropriate for them.

When asked the question, “In your culture, what are the top three ways girls are expected to look and act?” participants voted that the top three answers were kind (65%), polite (48%), and smart (48%). Later in the workshop, Marean had parents answer the same question but in regards to Gotham FC players like Betos: “What are the top three ways Gotham FC players are expected to look and act?” With the same options given earlier, this time, the leading responses were confident (82%), strong (71%), and brave (50%). The striking difference in expectations reveals the incredible opportunity of having Gotham FC in our backyards – it opens up the possibilities of how a girl is supposed to look and act.

Betos emphasized the importance of parental support without harsh expectations through anecdotes about her own upbringing that showed how her parents focused on supporting their child’s passion for the game, rather than their own ambitions. She reminded parents that “kids watch how you support them,” and offered two key pieces of advice for athletes and parents. 

First, Betos stressed that children observe how parents behave and speak, and these interactions shape children’s views. Second, she shared her own experience with early failure in sports (e.g., getting cut from a team in second grade) and highlighted the importance of a growth mindset. At the time, she had an exaggerated reaction, telling her parents she should quit and never play again. But her mom reminded her that you can stop playing, or work harder, and offered the question, “What can you do differently?” Betos chose to listen to this advice, and it set her on a path to embrace failure as a chance to learn and improve, instead of shying away from challenges.

Marean also shared a story about her dad’s support of one of her endeavors – when she started a tap dancing team, and her dad attended her performance. After the show, he stated, “You looked so happy up there. I’ve never seen you look so happy.” She realized that he was celebrating not with the activity or success, but how it brought her joy, a valuable realization that has stuck with her into her own parenthood. Marean highlighted how societal norms often suppress emotional expression, leading to increased anxiety among young girls; finding joy is key. Participation in sports has been linked to lower rates of depression and anxiety, underscoring the importance of physical activity for mental well-being. The event also addressed the barriers girls face in sports, noting that they drop out at twice the rate of boys as teenagers due in part to the expectation of perfection. 

She shared the Courtney Martin quote: “We are the daughters of the feminists who said, ‘You can be anything,’ and we heard, ‘You have to be everything.’” Marean then emphasized how girls have more opportunities than ever, yet they (and their parents) can feel overwhelmed by trying to keep up with everyone around them, and lose sight of playing for the love of the game. To combat this, the Keep Her in the Game Program provides strategies for parents and coaches to support girls in overcoming these challenges. Key strategies include adjusting the focus from perfection to enjoyment in sports, promoting open communication about feedback and feelings, and teaching the importance of being a supportive teammate while navigating conflicts.

The call concluded by encouraging parents to engage in reflective practices around their beliefs regarding sports, support their child’s autonomy, and model healthy communication and conflict resolution. These activities aim to strengthen the relationship between parents and their athletes, fostering an environment where young girls feel empowered and valued.  At the end of the meeting, participants shared their thoughts, with attendee Heather Marzullo writing, “I loved the positivity tonight- joy was at the center of this presentation and how to empower our girls to keep up the joy on and off the pitch. Thank you!”

Through Gotham FC’s Keep Her in the Game, Girls Leadership will offer additional workshops in the future to NJYS members that will continue to advocate for a balanced approach to sports that prioritizes girls’ well-being, autonomy, and emotional health, helping them stay engaged and empowered in athletics. You can learn more about Keep Her in the Game, and sign-up for a mailing list to hear about future opportunities here: gothamfc.com/keepherinthegame

Resources from Girls Leadership:

Opportunity One: Adjust the Pressure

Activity: 

Pause, Self-reflect, or talk with your co-parent: 

– Why do we believe in sports? What makes this something we  value? 

– What is negotiable about sports for us? Where does she have agency? 

– What is non-negotiable? 

Opportunity Two: Support Coach Relationship

Activities: 

Practice hearing feedback and processing mistakes

Practice or role-play advocacy and self-advocacy: What do you need or want to change? 

Opportunity Three: Practice How To Be A Teammate

Activities:

Talk about the middle ground of relationships, classmates, acquaintances, teammates. Share your examples.

Model and talk about productive (in-person) conflict.

Practice your athlete asking specifically for what she needs.

Meredith Waropay, Contributing Writer

Millburn Soccer Club recently hosted a Special Topics Course presented by New Jersey Youth Soccer. The course featured interactive learning activities designed specifically for the needs of the club. It also covered planning, activity design and the structuring of training sessions for player development. A primary goal of the course was to teach about managing interactions as well as encouraging self-regulated learning and parent engagement.

The NJYS Coaching School focuses on continued education through State and US Soccer Coaching Certifications. The program strives to provide the needed training requirements for development as a soccer coach while helping NJYS members grow essential skills related to leadership and coaching.

NJYS Coaching School staff worked in advance with Millburn Soccer Club to plan the coaching education event based upon areas identified for the continued professional development of the organization’s staff. Attendees actively participated during the field session activities that offered opportunities for experiential learning. Lou Mignone, NJYS ODP Youth Coaching Director, led the Special Topics Course at Millburn, guiding attendees through a workshop-style session featuring small group interactions, brainstorming, role playing, large group discussion and instructor field session demonstrations.

“The program was great,” said Jakob Halpern, Co-President of Millburn Soccer Club. “As a club, we were thrilled with the suggestions on how to effectively communicate with players, and you could see Lou making an impression with our trainers. We would love to schedule more of these programs and open them up to a larger audience.”

Raph Viana, Director of Go 2 Soccer, also reflected on some of the areas of focus during the workshop.

“I found the program very worthwhile, mainly the interaction between coaches and parents,” said Viana. “I thought it was great to learn about the importance of keeping parents informed and engaged. I also liked the idea that themed weeks were also helpful in having players achieve specific goals throughout the year.”

NJ Youth Soccer recognizes that coaching development can play a significant role in shaping better environments and experiences for players across our state. Our staff looks forward to future initiatives of this nature to serve the coaching education needs of members.

To find out more information about New Jersey Youth Soccer or to contact us directly, please email communications@njyouthsoccer.com. Also make sure to follow us on social media: @NJYouthSoccer