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Valley TOPSoccer Launches As New CJSA Program

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Connecticut Junior Soccer Association (CJSA) is very excited to support a new Valley TOPSoccer Program that has officially launched in Seymour. Led by volunteers throughout the area along with the leadership of South Central District Board Member Vicki Andrews, the creation of Valley TOPSoccer further expands the goal of CJSA to provide soccer playing opportunities for every young person throughout the State of Connecticut.

TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a recreational sports program for children with intellectual, emotional and physical disabilities. Developed by US Youth Soccer, TOPSoccer creates a platform for those with diverse abilities to play the game in a structured environment that is safe, fun, supportive and inclusive.

“This program has been a passion of mine for the past 12 years,” Andrews said of TOPSoccer. “My goal is to create an inclusive environment, as there is a strong need for programs like this in our community. Every child deserves to feel a sense of belonging. While children without disabilities have access to numerous programs and opportunities, children with unique abilities should have the same opportunities as well.”

Valley TOPSoccer (serving the entire Naugatuck Valley) is holding its fall sessions at the Seymour Middle School Soccer Field, with a group of dedicated coaches and buddies already making the program a great success. In addition to Vicki Andrews, the volunteer coaching staff includes Craig Andrews, a former youth soccer coach from Naugatuck, and Steven Kish, the head coach of the girls’ soccer program at Ansonia High School. Buddies, who help conduct all activities for the TOPSoccer sessions, consist of soccer players from Ansonia, Seymour and Southington.

“This latest collaboration by our clubs has already received recognition from US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer National Chair, David Robinson,” said Josh Krusewski, Executive Director of the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association. “I want to thank all of the volunteers, and a special thank you goes to Vicki and CJSA TOPSoccer Chairperson Bill Fallon for their leadership and vision in launching this new program.”

Following a second session this past weekend, there are now two more fall clinics scheduled for this Sunday, October 13th, and next Sunday, October 20th. Both sessions will take place from 10 AM to 11 AM at the Seymour Middle School Soccer Field located at 80 Botsford Road in Seymour. New participants are welcome to attend and will receive a free soccer ball and t-shirt. If available, TOPSoccer players should bring their own cleats, sneakers and shin guards to the field.

To learn more about how you can bring a TOPSoccer Program to your club or town, please contact topssoccer@cjsa.org or send an email directly to CJSA TOPSoccer Chairperson Bill Fallon at coachbill01@comcast.net.

To contact the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association, please call (860) 676-1161 or email office@cjsa.org. Also make sure to follow us on social media!

Action Heating Up in Fall Connecticut Cup

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The action continues to heat up in the Fall Connecticut Cup Presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, building momentum towards the tournament finals on Saturday, November 2nd. Those championship matches will be hosted at Curtiss Park in Simsbury in collaboration with Simsbury Soccer Club.

“The Fall CT Cup is going very well so far,” said Josh Krusewski, Executive Director of the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association. “I look forward to the game environments remaining positive for all of those involved and then crowning champions on November 2nd in Simsbury.”

Participation in the Connecticut Cup Presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods is made available to teams playing in the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association (CJSA) that meet residency requirements. The Connecticut Cup is played in the fall for both boys and girls teams in the 11U and 12U (9v9), 13U, 14U and 15U age divisions. Supporters are encouraged to keep up with the results throughout the competition on the BAND App, the official team communication app of CJSA.

Connecticut Cup winners become eligible for regional play at the US Youth Soccer (USYS) Eastern Presidents Cup next summer, with regional winners then moving onto the USYS National Presidents Cup. The USYS Presidents Cup provides a progressive and competitive environment to teams that might not otherwise get the opportunity to participate in a series of unique experiences highlighting competition, camaraderie and community.

To contact the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association, please call (860) 676-1161 or email office@cjsa.org. Also make sure to follow us on social media!

Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame Opens Nominations for 2025 Class

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The Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame is now seeking nominations for its next class of inductees. The nomination window is open through September 30, 2024.

“Connecticut has an incredible soccer history and a world class group of inductees in our Hall who have influenced the game of soccer at all levels,” said Bill Duffy, Director of the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame. “We want our state soccer community to help us in the process of identifying new members by submitting a nomination form for us to consider.”

Community nominations are important in the search for worthy individuals to honor. The Hall typically inducts players, coaches, administrators, organizers and officials who have influenced all levels of soccer in Connecticut.

Information and general criteria is listed on each nomination form, and is available online at ctsoccerhalloffame.org. Nominators may download a form or, new this year, submit it digitally.

The deadline for submitting a nomination is September 30, 2024.

The CSHOF Selection Committee will review all nominations and select our new class of inductees by November.

The integrity of our process is dependent on our soccer community to nominate quality soccer people and ensure we continue our tradition of excellence.

“I encourage everyone to visit our website and see the achievements of our amazing members,” Duffy continued. “I look forward to another excellent class in 2025!”

The Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame Induction Dinner will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at the Doubletree Hotel in Bristol, Connecticut.

USYS National Championships Come to a Close in Orlando

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The 2024 US Youth Soccer National Championships have officially come to a conclusion, with the week-long event wrapping up after champions were crowned in the 13U to 19U age groups at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida.

Ole FC Academy G2009 (15U Girls) reached the semifinal round of the national tournament, where they fell to eventual champion Las Vegas Surf Soccer Club 09G Elite 64 (NV). Prior to the elimination rounds, the Connecticut representative claimed the top spot in their bracket after going unbeaten on seven points and a 2-0-1 record. The team shut out all three of their opponents in group play and finished on the right side of a 4-0 goal differential. Ole FC Academy G209 arrived at the USYS National Championships after going undefeated in five matches at the USYS Eastern Regional Championships in West Virginia to win the regional championship for their age group. Over the course of that five-match winning streak, they were stellar defensively and only gave up a single goal throughout the entire tournament.

Also advancing to the USYS National Championships but unfortunately seeing their tournament run come to an end after group play was CT Rush Select 2006 Boys (19U Boys).

The USYS National Championships Presented by New York Life are the final stage of the USYS National Championships, which begin at the state level before progressing to the regional and then national stages. The event is a culmination of a year-long series of competitions, providing approximately 185,000 players on 10,000 teams from US Youth Soccer’s 54 State Associations with the opportunity to showcase their soccer skills against the best competition in the nation.

To contact the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association, please call (860) 676-1161 or email office@cjsa.org. Also make sure to follow us on social media!

Ole FC Academy G2009 Advances at USYS National Championships

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Ole FC Academy G2009 (15U Girls) are continuing their quest for a national title on Saturday morning after advancing past group play and into the semifinal round of the US Youth Soccer National Championships, which are being hosted at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. The Connecticut representative now faces Las Vegas Surf Soccer Club 09G Elite 64 (NV) tomorrow with a trip to the championship match on the line.

The tournament run continues for Ole FC Academy G2009 after they claimed the top spot in their bracket over group, going unbeaten on seven points with a 2-0-1 record. The Connecticut side shut out all three of their opponents and finished on the right side of a 4-0 goal differential. Next up on the docket is Las Vegas Surf Soccer Club 09G Elite 64 (NV) in the semifinals, with kickoff slated for 10:30 AM on Saturday morning.

Ole FC Academy G209 arrived at the USYS National Championships after going undefeated in five matches at the USYS Eastern Regional Championships in West Virginia to win the regional championship in their age group. Over the course of that five-match winning streak, they were stellar defensively and only gave up a single goal throughout the entire tournament. Collectively, they have gone unbeaten and posted a cumulative 14-1 goal differential over the course of the Eastern Regional Championships and National Championships, recording seven shutouts in eight games.

Also advancing to the USYS National Championships but unfortunately seeing their tournament run come to an end after group play was CT Rush Select 2006 Boys (19U Boys).

The USYS National Championships Presented by New York Life are the final stage of the USYS National Championships, which begin at the state level before progressing to the regional and then national stages. The event is a culmination of a year-long series of competitions, providing approximately 185,000 players on 10,000 teams from US Youth Soccer’s 54 State Associations with the opportunity to showcase their soccer skills against the best competition in the nation.

To contact the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association, please call (860) 676-1161 or email office@cjsa.org. Also make sure to follow us on social media!

Two CJSA Teams Competing for a USYS National Championship

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The Connecticut Junior Soccer Association (CJSA) has a pair of teams competing for a national title this week at the USYS National Championships Presented by New York Life, which are being hosted at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. Those two teams include Ole FC Academy G2009 (15U Girls) and CT Rush Select 2006 Boys (19U Boys).

“We want to congratulate both CT Rush Select 2006 Boys and Ole FC Academy 2009 Girls on their successful journey thus far,” Josh Krusewski, Executive Director of the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association. “Connecticut is proud to have you representing us at the USYS National Championships in Orlando. We wish you the best of luck. #ForitAll”

View Game Schedules:

Ole FC Academy G2009

CT Rush Select 2006 Boys

The USYS National Championships Presented by New York Life are the final stage of the USYS National Championships, which begin at the state level before progressing to the regional and then national stages. The event is a culmination of a year-long series of competitions, providing approximately 185,000 players on 10,000 teams from US Youth Soccer’s 54 State Associations with the opportunity to showcase their soccer skills against the best competition in the nation.

Teams are playing at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, which offers 17 fields with the backdrop of Walt Disney World, and the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, a venue that provides an additional eight fields. Group play competition begins on Tuesday after a team event on Monday that recognized the players and coaches in attendance while also featuring the USYS National Championship Trophies.

To contact the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association, please call (860) 676-1161 or email office@cjsa.org. Also make sure to follow us on social media!

CJSA Announces 2024 Scholarship Recipients

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The Connecticut Junior Soccer Association (CJSA) Board of Directors is pleased to announce its 2024 scholarship fund recipients.

2024 CJSA Scholarship Recipients:

  • Andrew Baranov (Bolton, CT)
  • Arias Braeden (New Milford, CT)
  • Luisa Raby (Old Lyme, CT)
  • Dominik Stefanski (East Lyme, CT)
  • Margaret Wernicki (Plantsville, CT)

The application process for the CJSA Scholarship Fund opens each spring. To be eligible for the scholarship fund, applicants must have played with a CJSA affiliated club and maintained a C+ average or higher in high school. Only graduating seniors qualify for a scholarship, and they must have plans to attend a two or four-year college or accredited technical school in the corresponding fall. Additionally, all applicants must complete an accompanying 250-word essay on the topic of “What Soccer Means to Me.”

To contact the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association, please call (860) 676-1161 or email office@cjsa.org. Also make sure to follow us on social media!

Andy Parker Joins CJSA Staff as Grassroots Coaching Coordinator

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The Connecticut Junior Soccer Association (CJSA) is excited to announce the hiring of Andy Parker as its Grassroots Coaching Coordinator. In his new position, Parker will support grassroots (recreation and competitive) soccer programming while also developing community participation in non-traditional environments throughout the State of Connecticut.

“I am thrilled to return to my roots in Connecticut and join the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association as the Grassroots Coaching Coordinator,” said Parker. “Working with CJSA offers a unique opportunity to merge my love for soccer with my passion for grassroots development. I am eager to contribute to the growth of young players and coaches in my home state, developing a culture of positivity and inclusivity within the soccer community.”

Parker most recently spent three seasons as an assistant coach for the Brown University Men’s Soccer Program. This past fall, he helped in leading Brown to an undefeated conference record and an appearance in the Ivy League Tournament Final. Goalkeeper Hudson Blatteis also thrived under his guidance, with Parker helping him win Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year accolades.

“We are thrilled to have Andy on our team at CJSA,” said Josh Krusewski, Executive Director of the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association. “His roots in Connecticut as a player and coach will be instrumental in providing our recreational and travel coaches with consistent resources and educational opportunities. Andy will play a big role in helping CJSA grow the game in more non-traditional environments such as YMCAs, Boys and Girls Clubs and after-school programs.”

Prior to his time at Brown University, Parker spent nine seasons at the University of Connecticut. While on the staff there, the Connecticut native assisted with recruiting, training sessions and film analysis while also creating a year-round goalkeeper training model. Husky goalkeeper Scott Levene excelled in his system, developing into the top player in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) at his position and leading the AAC in goals-against average (0.77), save percentage (79.2%) and shutouts (8). During his time on campus, Parker saw UConn appear in consecutive NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals (2012, 2013) while also qualifying for the national competition in 2015 and 2018 as well.

Parker, who holds a United Soccer Coaches Advanced National Diploma and USSF C License, earned four letters as a player for Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire. A Northeast-10 Conference All-Rookie Team selection, he started 72 games at Saint Anselm and left the program as its all-time leader in minutes played. The former Northeast-10 All-Academic Team member was also a two-time captain and selected as the 2011-12 Saint Anslem Student-Athlete of the Year. After acquiring his degree in International Business from Saint Anslem, Parker continued his academic pursuits at UConn and earned his Masters in Sports Management.

To contact the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association, please call (860) 676-1161 or email office@cjsa.org. Also make sure to follow us on social media!

Ole FC Yankee Academy 15U Girls Win USYS Eastern Regional Championship

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Ole FC Yankee Academy 15U Girls Win USYS Eastern Regional Championship

The Ole FC Yankee Academy 15U Girls were crowned champions at the US Youth Soccer Eastern Regional Championships on Tuesday, defeating South Shore Futbol Club Legacy G2009 (NYE) in the 15U Girls Final by a tally of 1-0. With the win, Ole FC Yankee Academy has officially punched their ticket to the USYS National Championships later this month at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida.

Ole FC Yankee Academy (15U Girls) went undefeated at the Eastern Regional Championships, first winning their group on three consecutive victories before blanking PPA 2009 Green Girls (MD) in the semifinals, 1-0. Over the course of their five-match winning streak in West Virginia, they were stellar defensively and only gave up a single goal throughout the entire tournament. Collectively, they posted a 10-1 goal differential during their run to the 15U Girls Championship.

Also playing in the championship round on Tuesday was AC Connecticut (17U Girls), but they unfortunately fell to Aztec Girls 2007 NAL (MA) in the final. Prior to that last contest, AC Connecticut had been unbeaten at the Eastern Regional Championships, opening the tournament by claiming the top seed in their bracket on seven points before earning a 1-0 clean sheet over Aztec North Girls 2007 NAL (NH) in the semifinals.

The USYS National Championships Presented by New York Life is the country’s most prestigious national youth soccer tournament. The competition provides winners from each state with the opportunity to showcase their soccer skills against the best competition in the nation while emphasizing teamwork, discipline and fair play.

To contact the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association, please call (860) 676-1161 or email office@cjsa.org. Also make sure to follow us on social media!