Eddie Gamarra Inducted Into the Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Fame
New York Youth Soccer News: Eddie Gamarra was inducted into the Eastern New York Hall of Fame on December 4 in the Bronx
The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Eddie Gamarra has been inducted into the Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Fame. His induction took place at our 2016 Holiday Party on December 4 at Marina del Rey in the Bronx. Eddie was also honored as Eastern New York’s Personality of the Month in November 2014 and inducted into the Staten Island Youth Soccer League (SIYSL) Hall of Fame in 2009.
Our inductee has been involved in soccer his entire life. He played the world’s most popular sport while growing up in Lima, Peru and competed for the youth team of renowned club Alianza Lima as a teenager. Enthusiasm for sports runs in his family as Eddie’s father was a championship Pan American Games athlete, his mother was a big basketball fan and his older brother, Galo, was a Senior PGA Pro.
Eddie immigrated to the United States in 1965 and has lived in New Dorp for the past 46 years. In 1980, his wife Peggy learned that Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish was looking to start a soccer program and urged Eddie to apply. Without much convincing, Eddie co-founded the soccer program with Sal Parello and the OLQP Blue Jays were born. His children––Eddie Jr., Mark and Matthew––all played for the program.
Eddie has served as the soccer program’s President since that time before retiring this year with a six-year hiatus from 1988 to 1994. Eddie developed OLQP into a model program and has coached many teams, both boys and girls squads, through the years. Currently, hundreds of children proudly wear their blue and gold soccer uniforms while playing at Miller Field.
The now 72-year-old enjoys the fun-filled times with the club as it grew into a family and he has developed lifelong friends. The annual Club Soccer Dance has become a favorite event and always ends with the crowd clamoring for “One more hour!” and Eddie joyfully complying, convincing the DJ to continue the fun.
”Eddie’s generosity is seen throughout the parish as he always finds a discreet way to cover the cost for a struggling family that can’t afford the fees. This generosity and commitment was recognized when he was honored with the Heroes and Heroines award, a program that honors local residents for their outstanding work in the community,” commented SIYSL President Bill Smith.
Eddie has served in various positions for the SIYSL, including Vice President. He now enjoys coaching the children of the players he once coached and is grateful for all the support he has received over the years.
Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association: 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 Children With Special Needs. 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.
