Photo by Jeffrey Auger.
Yee Was Formally Honored at NJYS Awards Dinner Presented by RWJBarnabas Health
East Windsor, N.J. (Feb. 12, 2019) ― New Jersey Youth Soccer recently hosted its 31st Annual NJYS Awards Dinner presented by RWJBarnabas Health, where many players, coaches and members of the soccer community were celebrated at the Pines Manor in Edison, N.J. One of the honorees that night was Jonathan Yee, who was selected as the 2018 NJYS TOPSoccer Volunteer of the Year.
"I am extremely appreciative of this recognition, which I believe is really an acknowledgement for our entire TOPSoccer community in Chatham," said Yee. "It took a small village of people to get our TOPSoccer program launched in our town, and this experience has been a wonderful reminder of the good we can accomplish by working together for a worthwhile cause centered on kindness."
This past year, Yee led an effort to bring a TOPSoccer Program to Chatham United Soccer, a community-based soccer club with a mission of serving all Chatham residents. A father of three children, Yee attended a TOPSoccer presentation at the New York Red Bulls Youth Soccer Summit, which inspired him to research the program and then ultimately begin the pursuit to establish one at Chatham United Soccer.
A dedicated volunteer coach, Yee has also set up a futsal program at Chatham United Soccer and ran the Chatham United Cup, a 3v3 tournament created simply for players to enjoy the game. He has also organized several trips to Red Bulls matches, where their TOPSoccer players were even treated to a special on-field experience at halftime of a game.
"I have had a ton of fun, made new friends, learned a lot about teaching players with varying abilities, and I have also learned a lot about myself," Yee continued. "Seeing the smiles on our players' faces as they race through the parent tunnel at the end of each session is absolute gold. I have already been rewarded so much just by being a part of TOPSoccer, and that amazing feeling I get every week being a part of something special will remain with me forever."
TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a community-based training and team placement program for young players with disabilities. The NJYS TOPSoccer Volunteer of the Year Award is presented each year to an individual who best exhibits the key qualities of patience, understanding, dependability and flexibility to adjust to changing on-field situations. The recipient continually promotes player safety while teaching and creating a fun and sociable experience for all participants.
To find out more about NJYS TOPSoccer or to contact us directly, please email [email protected]. Also make sure to follow us on social media: @NJYouthSoccer