New York Soccer News: The Staten Island Youth Soccer League donates backpacks and soccer balls to New World Prep
The Staten Island Youth Soccer League (SIYSL), the southernmost league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), has made a very generous donation to New World Prep. During a ceremony at the Port Richmond charter school on April 4, the SIYSL provided 70 New World Prep students who compete on the school’s soccer teams in the SIYSL with a pair of gifts––a brand-new backpack and soccer ball.
New World Prep President Eugene Foley, Principal Amanda Ainley and Athletic Director Mike Cortese welcomed SIYSL Vice President Richard Nellis and City Councilwoman Debi Rose to speak to their students before handing out the gifts.
The backpacks and balls were funded through the SIYSL’s “Pitch Perfect“ Program as the goal is to ensure every child who wants to play soccer on Staten Island comes to the soccer pitch prepared to play. The funds were secured through a grant from Target, as well as money provided by the SIYSL.
“We are extremely thankful to the Staten Island Youth Soccer League for this generous gift to our scholar-athletes. Soccer is an important part of our scholar’s lives and we’ve seen an increase in their performance in the classroom and on the soccer field (since joining the SIYSL three years ago),“ said Cortese.
“Being a part of the league has helped build school spirit within our entire community and I want to personally thank Rich Nellis for his guidance during our transition into the league and for his continued support to our coaches and players each season,” added Cortese.
Cortese also praised SIYSL Development Coordinator Liz Morano, who was instrumental in helping get the gift presentation to New World Prep’s students off the ground.
“A big thank-you to Liz Morano for going above and beyond to provide these wonderful bags and balls to our kids,” said Cortese.
“Sports is an important component of youth development, teaching students important lessons of teamwork, persistence, dedication and more,“ said Council woman Rose.
“I want to thank the Staten Island Youth Soccer League and Target for this gift, which will make soccer and all of its benefits,
“We couldn’t be happier for the New World Prep players and coaches whose program has grown twice the size since coming into the league three years ago,“ added Nellis. “They have been a model program for growing the game of soccer on Staten Island and especially on the North Shore.”
New World Prep is currently in its ninth year of operation. This year, the school has expanded to 5th Grade and next year, it will have a Kindergarten and 1st Grade enrollment on Moore Catholic’s Campus. The school is planning to be a complete K-8th Grade School in the next two years.
“As the school expands, we’re planning for the number of teams enrolled in the Staten Island Youth Soccer League to grow as well,“ added Cortese.
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) reaches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with nine 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.
