35th Annual LIJSL Convention to Have Something for Everyone
New York Youth Soccer News: The LIJSL Convention is the largest soccer convention in the eastern United States in 2017
Soccer is something to celebrate. And the celebration will be soon — With 1,600 travel and premier teams, the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) is the largest league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) and its convention is one of the world’s largest soccer conventions.
This is the 35th Annual LIJSL Convention, held on March 3, 4 and 5 at the Huntington Hilton on Route 110 in Melville.
With 10,000 soccer fans once again expected to attend, it will be the largest soccer convention in the eastern United States during 2017.
The fun begins at 7 pm on Friday night, March 3 with the Annual Awards Dinner as the Volunteer of the Year from each LIJSL club will be honored. Oceanside United’s Michael D’Ambrosio, John Deutsch of the East Islip Soccer Club, Cora Fitzgerald of the Terryville Soccer Club plus the Plainedge Soccer Club’s Joe Karam will be inducted into the LIJSL Hall of Fame that evening.
Attending a few of the dinners in the past decade has been Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY), who has lauded LIJSL volunteers every time he has come as the Senator knows all about their importance since his daughter grew up playing soccer in the LIJSL.
At 7:30 pm on Saturday, March 4 in Salon D, the Long Island Soccer Player Hall of Fame will honor the Long Island Lady Rough Riders national championship teams of 1995 and 1997.
This year’s inductees are Caitlin Connolly, Kim Conway, Dina Grossman-Case, Laura Martin, Tracy Sofsian, Gina Tucker and Christie Welsh. To register for the dinner, log on to http://lijslsoccer.siplay.com/site/
Although there is a fee for attending both dinners, admission to the rest of the LIJSL Convention is absolutely free. Throughout the day on Saturday, March 4 and on Sunday morning, March 5, there will be LIJSL Sportsmanship Award presentations, meetings for club presidents, coaches and volunteers plus coaches and referee clinics as thousands of people purchase soccer items. Highlights include:
• Vendors from around the world
• NSCAA 4v4 Course, a three-hour course designed for those who will be coaching youth soccer players from 4 to 10 years of age. Click here for registration: http://www.lijsoccer.com/configure/uploads/1485443110NSCAACourseregistration.pdf
• NSCAA Goalkeeper Level 1 Diploma Course which will explore some of the myths and mystiques surrounding the last line of defense. Click here for registration: http://www.lijsoccer.com/configure/uploads/1485443070GKCourseRegistration.pdf
• A bilingual College Forum (English/Spanish) for high school freshmen, sophomores and juniors. The expert panel will talk about what every parent and player needs to know, including NCAA requirements, financial aid packages plus picking the college that’s right for you!
• American Red Cross CPR/AED Training
• Soccer Cleat, Balls and Uniform Collection for needy children
• Soccer Games free-of-charge for Under-9 to Under-12 LIJSL teams all weekend (weather-permitting) in the New York Cosmos Inflatable Soccer Field, outside on the tennis court. To register: http://www.lijsoccer.com/configure/uploads/1485444701Blowupfieldgames.pdf
“What’s new this year is that our vendors can purchase a extra package from the league where we are sending out their flyers to our members a few times prior to the convention. It’s an extra way to advertise their booth and whatever goods or services they will have at the convention. We are getting an overwhelming response to the promotion,“ commented LIJSL Convention Chairperson Holly Maresco.
For more information about the 35th Annual LIJSL Convention, please contact the league at 631-648-9020.
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.
