Lansdowne Yonkers, whose latest victory last weekend kept them in the hunt for honors in the American Premier Soccer League [APSL], have bagged many titles over the years – both national and regional. But the one accolade they probably count among their most cherished appears on the club’s website: “Champions of Community Soccer.”
The Bhoys, whose senior team outgunned NY International 4-2 on Roosevelt Island on Sunday – thanks to goals by Ali Dawa [2], Eddie Speed and Danu Bishop Kinsella –- is tapping into its community roots for players between ages seven and 16.
Following is the tryout schedule, with age groups, locations, times and dates:
U-7 & U-8
Tibbets Brook Park – Field 1
Time: 5 – 6:30 p.m.
April 14, April 21, April 28
U-9 & U-10
Tibbets Brook Park – Field 1
5 – 6:30 p.m.
April 16, April 23, April 30
U-11 & U-12
James L. Flemming Park
6:30 – 8 p.m.
April 13, April 20, April 27
U-13, U-14, U-15 & U-16
James L. Flemming Park
6:30 -- 8 p.m.
April 15, April 22, April 29
The successful youngsters will join the more than 200 players of different ages and both genders currently in Lansdowne’s various programs.
“We start [with] our Little Kicker program, these are kids that are three years of age right up to seven years, kids who are too young to play in any sort of competitive sports, they get an introduction to football,” said Lansdowne Head coach Matt Kane.
Living up to its community champion reputation, Lansdowne provides more than that to its youngest talent.
“It’s not just football, it’s introduction to socialization, friendship, a lot of things that really help boost the community aspect,” Kane, a Belfast native pointed out.
“We then go into competitive things – we have varying levels of competition,” Kane added.
There’s the Westchester Youth League, for example. It’s for kids who love the sport, want to play at a competitive level but are still at the developmental stage. Older players play in regional competitions that involve travel.
“It’s a great youth program,” said William McCrory, Lansdowne’s manager and a longtime club stalwart. “We have top notch facilities and dedicated coaches. Everyone is welcome.
“We also put a lot of effort in getting kids into college programs with our ManU contacts. And allow players who have left and [are] looking at colleges, to train with Matt and our senior staff to get a sense of what is required. We still have a personal touch where parents can attend sessions.”
Lansdowne’s community engagement has established the club as a key entity in a part of New York with a thriving Irish community.
Said Kane: “Obviously as you know in Yonkers [and] Woodlawn, there's a huge Irish community, but throughout Yonkers, Mount Vernon [and] other areas, as we keep growing, we serve so many communities that are not just Irish but have kept the Irish heart in terms of there's a lot of the Irish immigrant community that still identifies with us and will be the first port of call but we’re inclusive of everyone.”
