By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
November 17, 2020-The
East Hudson Youth Soccer League (EHYSL), with over
300 travel teams in eight counties, makes the youth soccer experience better for all concerned––players, coaches, referees and spectators––through its Scout Program.
Every Sunday, former EHYSL President Jim Purdy sends out multiple Scouts to fields across the league. These Scouts have 10 years of more experience in the EHYSL as coaches, refs and administrators and they introduce themselves to coaches and referees before every game they attend. In their mandatory weekly reports, the Scouts give the EHYSL an excellent sampling what is happening at each field complex.
“The purpose and role of the East Hudson Scout program is to improve the youth soccer experience for all,” Purdy commented. “Scouts attend two games each league Sunday to observe players, coaches, parents and referees. We often find ourselves educating parents and some coaches on the Laws of the Game and changes to same over the years.”
This Fall Season, the Scouts are especially making sure that the league’s virus protocols are being followed so that everybody remains safe. These protocols include teams and their parents being on opposite sides of the field, two spectators maximum per player, everybody on the touchlines must wear a mask and each squad having a Safety Manager on hand.
Longtime Scout Fred Valenti reported, “I observed two individuals walking onto the visiting team touchline without masks. I approached the visiting coach who is the Safety Manager and I asked if those two spectators belonged to his team and he responded, ’No.’ Then he proceeded to address the two spectators about wearing masks and the protocol. They chose to leave the visiting team touchline and instead of putting masks on, they proceeded to walk to the home team's side. At that time, I went to the home coach who is that team’s Safety Manager and again I inquired if those two individuals belong to his team and again the answer also was ’No.’ Now the home coach walks and speaks to them and asked them to please mask up. They choose to walk to the goal line and stand near the corner flag. The home coach proceeded to tell them that now they must leave the site or I would terminate the game.”
“We are very vigilant for the safety of all and to make sure everyone follows protocol,” Valenti continued, “I personally take this all very seriously.”
With approximately 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 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. 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. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.