By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
March 12, 2024-In 1997, Luis Montoya founded the Big Apple Youth Soccer League (BAYSL) to serve the growing Latino population of New York City. The Eastern New York Hall of Famer was an enthusiastic supporter of local soccer and volunteered as BAYSL President from the founding of the league to his passing in 2021. Additionally, Luis served as a member of the diversity committee for U.S. Soccer under four presidents: Alan Rothenberg, Dr. Bob Contiguglia, Sunil Gulati and Carlos Cordeiro.
The BAYSL hosted the 26th Annual Luis Montoya Indoor Tournament at the Elmcor Gym and PS Q211 in Queens from January 6 to March 2. 56 squads from Under-8 to Under-15 competed.
“Everything went well,” stated BAYSL President Carlos Vergara. “All the games were on time and there was very good work by the referees. We played most of the games at Elmcor, our winter home for the past 26 years.”
A recap of the divisions:
Under-8: Club Madrid, JJV Academy, New York Kids, New York Talentos, Ramos Soccer International and Real Corona all received trophies
Under-9: New York Kids won the championship and La Colonia finished in second place
Under-10: JJV Academy won the title with New York Talentos as runners-up
Under-11: Gunners SK won the championship and Real Bronx finished in second place
Under-12: New York Talentos were first with Barboncito in second
Under-13: Slammers Boys Black won the championship and Real Bronx finished in second place
Under-14: Slammers Boys Black defeated Slammers Boys Gray in an All-Slammers final game
Under-15: Slammers Boys Black won the title with Gunners SK as runners-up
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 10 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 US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/
All photos courtesy of the Big Apple Youth Soccer League