NYC Footy's Spring Survival Guide: The One Stop Shop for Winning On & Off The Field
The arrival of spring brings with it planet Earth’s annual reminder that growth - both on and off the field - cannot be stopped. So whether you used this past winter to play in NYC Footy’s Indoor Leagues, enhanced your touch technique with BetterPlayer, or spent time taking care of nagging injuries, the launch of NYC Footy’s spring season on March 17th is your chance to celebrate the arrival of the new you.
But much like jumping into an empty subway car at rush hour only to realize after the doors close you’ve made a horrible choice, you need to see the full picture of what you’re dealing with ahead of time before making a fateful mistake that ruins the entire ride. So whether you're a seasoned footballer or a newcomer to the NYC Footy community, we know providing support in all forms goes a long way in making sure your season doesn’t stink.
That’s why we’ve put together our very own spring survival guide below to help you navigate everything our community has to offer. From choosing a league and field that’s right for you to the type of experiences we want all players to walk away with pre and post game, our spring survival guide is designed to help you focus on one thing: the joy of playing the beautiful game. Let’s get into it, shall we?
Surviving & Thriving NYC Footy’s Spring Season
Our VIBE: Creative, Competitive, And Completely Original
NYC Footy is more than just a recreational co-ed soccer league—it's a community of passionate players dedicated to promoting the joy of the game. Founded with the mission of making soccer accessible to everyone, NYC Footy offers a variety of options for players who want to achieve different results when playing recreational soccer.
The principles that guide us are grounded in kindness and inclusivity. We call it in respectfully when someone crosses the line and prioritize our community values above all else. We have captured these core beliefs in our official Ted Lasso Code of Conduct, which we ask all players to review and abide by when participating in any Footy organized activity.
Note: our code of conduct also works great for real life Non-Footy situations too!)
Riverbank State Park in the Hamilton Heights neighborhood of Manhattan is one of the many fields we offer here at NYC Footy
Our Fields: Find A Pitch That Matches Your Personality
NYC Footy organizes indoor and outdoor games in public and private parks located across New York City. We have captured these locations using an interactive map as well as individual location pages categorized by neighborhood. If you’re more of a list type of person, we’ve captured all of current spring league locations below, most of which you can still register for as of today:
League Formats: Finding the Best Fit
Ready to step on the pitch, but not sure which level is right for you? Here’s our roster of league formats which can help you find the best situation and have way too much fun whether you win or lose.
Flip: Footy exists to crush traditional soccer constraints, and our Flip league is the place to be if you’re looking to be part of a team where the majority of players identify as female.
P1: Advanced. Former professional, NCAA player, or just love endless cardio? This is likely your best option to continue reliving your glory days of competition as its our most advanced level.
P2: Intermediate/Advanced. Select P2 if your love language is challenging yourself on the field of play. Choose this level if you’re looking for competitive play and enjoy being surrounded by a mix of players who are at or above your skill level.
P3: Intermediate Leagues. Former high school star that hasn’t played in awhile but are ready to strap up the old shin guards and find out where you’re at right now? P3 is the perfect middle of the road option.
P4: Intermediate/Beginner: Select P4 if you love learning and want to enhance your solid dribbling and passing techniques by leveling up.
P5: Beginner. If you know you’re in love with soccer but not exactly familiar with its rules of engagement, this is the best way to get indoctrinated. Ideal for beginners, you are joining for the joy of getting to know the NYC soccer community
Spring Tournament: The Governors Cup
Our flagship spring tournament is The Governors Cup which takes place on Governors Island June 1 - June 2 this year. It’s so popular that it already sold out prior to our team publishing this guide, but we’ve got a waitlist going which you should absolutely sign up for as previously registered teams have been known to drop out beforehand.
Reminders for First Time (And returning) Players
To make the most of your NYC Footy experience this spring, here’s a quick r
Stay Active: Keep an eye on NYC Footy's website and social media channels for updates on upcoming games, leagues, and events.
Pack the Essentials: Bring water, sunscreen, your Footy jersey, and the right footwear as each location
Respect the Game: Embrace the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship both on and off the field. Treat your fellow players, referees, and opponents with respect and courtesy at all times.
Have Fun: Above all, remember that soccer is a game meant to be enjoyed. Whether you win, lose, or draw, cherish the opportunity to play the sport you love with like-minded individuals.
Dress the part: Did you know Footy offers custom kits for teams now? Email [email protected]
Getting Started
Ready to kick off your spring season with NYC Footy? Visit the NYC Footy website to join a current league or sign up for invites to upcoming events (Premier League matches anyone?) . Want to see Footy players in action? Follow NYC Footy for exclusive video and photo content, merch drops, and more!
NYC Footy's Top 10 Team Names of 2023!
There’s something really important in a team name and we appreciate when a name has that magic touch. It brings you together. It makes you laugh. Inspires us. Strikes fear into your opponents.
Or it simply lets them know you’re really just here to have fun and grab some drinks after the game.
So we want to bring in 2024 right with a little dose of fun so we’re sharing our TOP 10 team names of 2023!
If you see your team name on the list, don’t forget to give us a shout out on Instagram and we’ll give you a shout back!
And if you don’t and feel like you got snubbed, let us know why!
The List
#10 FC Koala Tea
We love a good pun at NYC Footy, and so we’re kicking off this list with a “quality” effort. The only thing preventing it from placing higher was our dislike of actual tea (that’s not true).
#9 Haaland Back Girls (Honorable Mention: Haaland Oats)
A good Haaland pun is always welcome here and it’s a standout in a category (player puns) with a lot of strong contenders. They did lose a few points for Haaland being injured.
#8 Run Like The Winded
We love this name and just want you to know that we see you and feel the same way.
#7 ABCDE FC (Honorable Mention: KFC)
Unpretentious, funny, simple. A true classic.
#6 Are Ya Winnin Son?
Brilliant. The only reason it wasn’t placed higher is it may be lost on those who don’t spend their days living on Reddit.
#5 Wambach To The Future
Exceptional pun and our highest ranked player pun team. Way to go!
#4 Hot Sauce White Sauce FC
If you don’t know you’ve never been to a Halal truck and we simply can’t help you.
#3 The Other Secret Team (Honorable Mention: The Other Other Secret Team)
We love a good running joke. Especially since we can’t find hide nor tail of any Secret Team… well played.
#2 Exceptional Women, Average Men
Year over year probably the best co-ed rec league name (for any sport really) you’re likely to find.
#1 Shinguardian LeviosA (Honorable Mention: Shinguardians of the Galaxy)
Rules. Puns. Harry Potter. What’s not to like about this name. So congratulations to the captain of this team for taking home Footy’s 2023 team name championship! Not me. Not Hermoine. You!
Hopefully this spurs a little creativity and inspiration from everyone to try and find the best team name of 2024!
Winter's Secret Weapon: Futsal and its Knack for Creating Better Players.
Winter footy offers something unique.
One primary reason for this is quite simple: indoor hardcourt footy, AKA futsal.
Futsal is the most action packed and dynamic game of soccer imaginable and there are some marked advantages to playing.
For beginners, it means becoming a much more comfortable and confident soccer player. For experienced players, it strengthens your touch, your movement and your communication.
The game is tighter so you need to pass the ball quickly and move off-the-ball constantly. This translates to way more touches and way more movement. Everyone is closer together, including the person defending you, so two touches (trap the ball, then pass the ball) becomes less of a suggestion and more of a necessary habit.
The added bonus? It's the best workout in soccer you can get. And right smack in holiday weight-gain season, amirite?
We guarantee, regardless of your level, if you join an indoor hardcourt league, you'll enter spring as a better individual player and, your team will move up in the rankings.
Without further ado, check our Footy’s Hard courts.
Footy's Hard Courts: Manhattan, Downtown
University Settlement - Bowery
Located in Manhattan’s East Vilalge/LES Neighborhood. This beautiful court can accommodate one large format game our two smaller format games.
Avenue of the World School - Chelsea
Avenue of the World School’s gym is as beautiful as it looks in the photos. Located conveniently in the Chelsea district of Manhattan’s West Side, this gym is perfect for traditional futsal.
The Aula - Lower East Side
Located as part of St. Patrick’s, this historical gym is perhaps the most convenient location for a little post-footy brunch on weekends or after Footy drinks on weeknights,.
Nord Anglia International School - Lower East Side
New in the Footy ranks is this small, fast-paced gym on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.
Leman Preparatory School - Tribeca
Perhaps ranking as the most perfect gym for futsal, Leman’s gym is the most convenient Manhattan gym location in the Footy Portfolio. Nestled along most major train lines in Tribeca.
Footy's Hard Courts: Manhattan, Uptown
John Jay College - Midtown West
John Jay gym opened it’s doors to Footy Players in the 2023 winter season, and quickly became a fan favorite. Located near Columbus Circle, it’s accessible by train or bus and perfect for folks living on the west side of Manhattan.
Brearley School - Upper East Side
When we first laid our eyes on this gym, we couldn’t believe how enormous and beautiful it is. The size of this gym allows 4 full NYC Footy teams to take the court at the same time, increasing those footy vibes and inviting larger amounts of players to enjoy on the court and off the court festivities in Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
Julia Richman Educational Complex - Upper East Side
Home to many a Manhattan indoor soccer player over the years, Julia Richman’s gym is also conveniently located on Manhattan’s Upper East Side and is the perfect size for a 5-a-side game of futsal.
The Town - Upper East Side
Joining NYC Footy’s Upper East Side portfolio of gyms is the The Town, home to one of our more intimate futsal formats: fast futsal.
Stephen Gaynor School - Upper West Side
Upper West Side gyms can be few an far between. But we got lucky with Stephen Gaynor’s colorful court, nestled high on the upper West Side on west 90th street. This is also home to an indoor turf field, which you can find here.
Footy's Hard Courts: Brooklyn
The Post - Bushwick
An expansion of the wildly successful Post in Williamsburg, this new location in Bushwick gives Footy players an opportunity to play indoor futsal any day of the week.
The Post - Williamsburg
NYC Footy’s Williamsburg Futsal HQ, The Post is littered with full size basketball courts, often taken completely over by futsal. You can find us playing here on weeknights and the weekend.
That’s all for now. Check back regularly to see if we’ve added new, wonderful indoor courts to the NYC Footy portfolio.
Cheers!
Our 7th Captain of the Match, Yesenia Magana
Yesenia was born and raised in Westchester to two soccer loving parents who immigrated from Mexico.
Her father coached soccer, and instilled a lifelong love of the sport to Yesenia and her five sisters.
Playing in NYC Footy has reignited Yesenia’s love of soccer.
Yesenia started playing with NYC Footy pre-pandemic, and while she had to move out of the city to Westchester, she continued to play with Footy, commuting into the city every week for games.
In doing so, Yesenia helped create some much needed direction and consistency for many players who had to move out of the city during the pandemic.
Yesenia cares deeply for her family, and her work. She uses soccer as something that is just for her, creating a boundary and a healthy space where Yesenia can just be herself.
We’re so proud of Captain Yesenia, and we’re happy she’s with us today, playing all over the city, at Gov Cup, and at Footy Fest!
Oh, and did we mention she met her partner playing Footy too! 😍
Our 8th Captain of the Match, Dhalia Eld
When she’s not playing in NYCFooty or practicing with BetterPlayer, Dahlia is an ER doctor, saving lives, and she extends that care to everyone she meets.
Her unbounded kindness, positive energy, and caring nature make Dhalia a fixture wherever she plays and NYC is a better place.
By far our most requested captain and an outrageously good soul.
Dhalia is captain of Sunset Park the Bus.
Between saving lives as an ER doctor, offering rides home to her teammates, and bringing snacks and drinks to everyone on the pitch (including the refs), Dhalia might actually be a living angel.
It’s impossible to express the gratitude we feel towards her and how lucky we are to have her as a member of the community, and our city.
Dhalia’s enthusiasm is unparalleled and her legend grows with each game and bag of orange slices she brings to the field. We should all be lucky enough to play with, or again, Captain Dhalia.
Our 9th Captain of the Match, Dygo Josefzoon!
Congatulations to our 9th NYCFC Captain of the Match, Dygo Josefzoon!
Dygo came to NYC from the Netherlands to pursue a career in soccer, finding his natural fit as a coach all across the city
He is a full-time youth coach for kids of ages 4-7 with Born Kickers and is a part-time coach with BetterPlayer.
If you want to find practices with Coach Dygo, you can do so right here.
He is hands down one of the kindest people you're likely to meet anywhere in NYC, on or off the soccer field. His calm, welcoming demeanor make him a perfect coach and player for youth and adults alike.
Don't let that kindness fool you though, Dygo is an accomplished player and a seasoned coach.
Outside of soccer, Dygo is passionate about his music as a singer and connects with people as easily as we've ever seen, making him a natural coach, community builder, and just a great person all around.
Side note, if you don't think those are two of the cutest photos you've seen in a Footy newsletter thus far, I'm not sure we can be friends.
Thank you Coach Dygo!a
Our 10th Captain of the Match, Mante Osei
We're proud to have Mante Osei as today's captain of the match.
Mante brings a spirit of inclusion, joy, and family everywhere he goes, particularly to the teams he captains.
You can find him playing at Pier 5 with NYC Footy each week alongside his beautiful wife Zimanta.
Immigrating from Ghana, Mante brought his passion for the game with him and has been playing every weekend for the last 11 years.
Mante has instilled that same passion for soccer, as well as anime, with his daughter Faith, who is already a lifelong Chelsea fan like her father.
A financial advisor who has built a life for himself here in New York City, Mante reminds us all how deeply sustaining and fruitful a life filled with soccer can be.
From all of those who have played with him over the past 11 years, to his family Zimanta and Faith, and us at NYC Footy, we all thank you Captain Mante!
Our 6th Captain of the Match, Patrick Kargol!
Patrick's passion for bringing people together and saving penalty kicks is matched only by his passion for motorcycles, which he inherited from his father.
HR professional, biker, goalkeeper, team captain; Patrick reminds us that everyone we meet on the field contains multitudes.
Don't be fooled by the rough, biker persona. Patrick is kind, organized, thoughtful, supportive, funny, and goes out of his way to organize carpools for his teammates.
Not to mention he's also a die hard Lord of the Rings fan, which means the most on any list of superlatives.
As captain of the Talking Headers, Patrick is one of NYC Footy's most beloved captains, even being one of it's newest.
Quick to lend a hand in support of his teammates and the community at large, Patrick is one of the special few who helps bring and hold people together effortlessly.
He's the best friend and captain we can hope for.
Thank you Captain Patrick!
Our 11th Captain of the Match, Sebastian Tuinder
Sebastian fell in love with soccer at an early age growing up in South Africa, a love he carries with him proudly today.
A documentary filmmaker and adjunct professor at Columbia University and Brooklyn College, Sebastian’s heart belongs to the outdoors and to his pups.
Captain of The Rough Cuts, Sebastian is easily recognizable by his beaming smile and his unerring positivity on and off the pitch and can be seen week in and week out seen doling out coaching tips, encouragement, and congratulations to teammates and opponents alike.
Sebastian goes out of his way to make sure everyone feels included, regardless of their race, gender, orientation, beliefs, nationality, background, or skill level, and that they are made to feel like they're part of the team.
Off the field, Sebastian has dedicated himself to the service of others. Through his professions as a journalist and professor he seeks to inform, to teach, and to inspire those around him.
Traits we're glad he carries with him on the field.
He encourages his students and teammates in the same way, to go above and beyond for others, to report, play, and live with integrity, and to always have a bright attitude, no matter what.
Thank you Captain Sebastian!
Our 12th Captain of the Match, Joey Lafyatis!
Joey moved to New York ten years ago for work and like many before him accidentally fell in love with the city.
A fan of NYCFC since Patrick Vieria was the coach (they are both French), Joey and his partner now go to as many NYCFC games as possible.
Joey and his partner live together in Bedstuy with their dog, Freddie, where they spend their time cultivating a garden, biking the city's neighborhoods, and keeping Freddie out of trouble.
One of the highlights of Joey's week is when he gets to escape his apartment to play soccer with NYC Footy.
Joey started playing with Footy as a free agent a few years ago, using it as a way to explore new parks and parts of the city, as well as to meet new people.
Eventually, he decided to put a little extra work in and become a captain, bringing together people he had met throughout the years.
Joey focuses on building a social dynamic within the team that creates positive outcomes on and off the pitch, and does that by actively fostering an environment of inclusion and respect amongst the players.
In his own words:
"We all come from different backgrounds, we have different levels of competitiveness and extraversion, and sometimes we are either having a good day we want to bring to the team or a bad day we want to leave behind.
We all deserve to be fully welcomed every time into this group of friends: to be given equal playing time, to be picked up when we're down, and to celebrate our successes on the field and in our lives.
That type of culture flourishes with the active awareness, participation, and facilitation of a captain."
A truly beautiful sentiment, and one we couldn't have said better.
Thank you Captain Joey!
Our 13th Captain of the Match, Pat Seaward!
Pat hails from a small beach town in southern Maine, where he was introduced to soccer-making lifelong friends while traveling all over the seacoast for games and tournaments.
For Pat, there's nothing like playing soccer in the crisp New England air surrounded by the spectacular foliage.
While he played just about every sport growing up, his love of soccer always persisted.
When Pat first arrived in New York he worked in the Television and Film industry in the location department.
In addition to seeing so much of the city, it allowed Pat to meet and work with some incredibly talented people over the years.
Not to mention that he can personally attest, after working on "Somewhere In Queens", that everybody does in fact love Ray Romano.
A childhood friend of Pat's introduced him to NYC Footy in 2017 and from the very first game, he knew this was the league for him because of the warmth and the community he felt on and off the field.
Fast forward to 2023, Pat is now the captain of that team he joined back in 2017, and helps to create that same warmth and community that drew him to Footy in the first place.
As the years go on and teammates move, start families, go back to school, and change jobs, the friendships and the milestones Pat has been able to achieve and share with teammates and friends alike have remained.
Pat Seaward is one of those rare few people who brings a sense of ease, kindness, and humble grace with him wherever he goes-moment to moment, making the world a better place.
Pat: "I'm proud of my team and this league for being filled with wonderful people that I've spent sneakily 1/7th of my life with."
We're proud to have you as part of the NYC Footy family as well Pat. Cheers to the first 1/7th with Footy and here's to many more.
Thank you Captain Pat!
Our 15th Captain of the Match, Maria Arenas!
Maria's motto is to be kind to everyone.
When she's not at her 9-5 in PR, she spends most of her evenings on the pitch bringing people together.
For Maria, the only thing that beats the feeling of stopping shots as a goalkeeper is her daily face time with her niece and nephew.
Maria can also be found training as a goalkeeper with the BetterPlayer program, and knows that it takes more than just stopping shots to be a true goalkeeper.
It means being the backbone of your team and supporting everyone on and off the pitch, having your teammates backs, and picking them up when they make mistakes.
You can find Maria stopping shots with a smile all over Astoria on teams like Buds Unlimited, Vamos Equipo FC, and our favorite-Popcorn Shrimp FC.
In her personal life, Maria loves a good mystery novel and hanging out with her friends, all of whom count themselves lucky to know such a kind and wonderful person and player. As do we.
Thank you Captain Maria!
Our 14th Captain of the Match, Shela Qui
Shela Qiu grew up in Toronto, learning to love soccer from a young age.
A software engineer by trade and a community leader by passion, Shela now captains two teams in NYC Footy, bringing her own brand of encouragement, fun, and competition to the pitch.
Shela's athletic prowess extends beyond the soccer field as she dabbles in volleyball, tennis, badminton, and even spikeball.
When she's not playing Footy or other sports, Shela loves hanging out with scruffy dogs, hiking in the Catskills, scrapbooking her travels around the world, and reading great science fiction likeThe Three Body Problem.
She also has a quiet 1m+ score on the NYT mini crosswords.
Shela is one of those special captains who brings an infectious amount of joy and enthusiasm to everyone on both sides of the field.
Thank you for all your hard work and wonderful attitude Captain Shela!
Our 16th Captain of the Match, Daniel McCallum
Daniel captains a team called EWAM (Exceptional Women, Average Men), which promotes gender equality in mixed gender sports.
Daniel goes above and beyond what it means to be a captain.
He hosts an annual fundraiser for women's reproductive rights, which to date has raised over $22 thousand dollars, and is on the board of WeDoGoodWorks, a charity that furnishes the homes of New Yorkers in need.
Daniel grew up in Glasgow, where he learned to love football, Glasgow Celtic, and a pint... or two.
It was only after he moved to NYC, where he's lived for the last 13 years, that he came into his own as a footballer and as an exceptional captain and community leader.
Beyond the on-the-field championships and the off the field accolades, Daniel McCallum has brought together hundreds of people over the years under the umbrella of EWAM and NYC Footy.
More than anything, this is what it means to be a captain, to create a space through which people can come together.
It's through people like Daniel that we begin to see how far our actions and relationships can ripple and effect change.
Thank you Captain Daniel!
Our 17th and Final Captain of the Match: Ben Siegel
Ben Siegel is a born and raised New Yorker and the captain of Left Footed Letdown.
A superlative captain who, more than anything, epitomizes what it means to care; care for the game of soccer, care for his teammates, and above all care for his friends.
Ben has been working in tech and non-profits since he graduated from Northeastern.
Ben's passion for soccer is matched by his interest in history, fantasy, and most importantly food.
Ben now lives in Brooklyn with his partner Sarah, and their two adopted cats, Sir Maxwell and Nora.
Ben's emphatic attitude towards the things and people he cares deeply about are what set him apart as a captain and as a person.
We're so happy that he's been with Footy for so many years, and are looking forward to many more! Thank you captain Ben.
Neighborhood Spotlight: Chelsea Piers In Prospect Heights
Hello Footy,
NYC Footy’s Winter registration has officially begun so we’re going to be walking you through another one of our neighborhood spotlights.
This time, the brand new Chelsea Piers Field House in Downtown Brooklyn.
We fully expect this field to be our most popular winter location alongside Bedford Armory given it’s prime location and the fact that it’s on indoor turf. So without any delay, here’s are the details.
The Field
Chelsea Piers Field House, Prospect Heights
Chelsea Piers has been expanding their facilities all around the city, so when we heard that they were opening up a field house with an indoor turf field we had to get some field time right away.
Indoor turf is the best of both worlds in the winter, plus everything about the field space is just exceptional. The high walls and ceilings, the trim nets, clear lines, tight turf (sometimes indoor turf gets really loose over time), everything about the Chelsea Piers Field House sets it apart including, as you’ll see below, how easy it is to get to.
The Neighborhood:
The Field House is roughly two blocks from the Barclay’s Center, which means there’s 1001 things to do within walking distance of the facility plus every subway line you can imagine.
We’re going to skip the Chuck E Cheese and Buffalo Wild Wings that are right next door for now and are gonna stick with some of the neighborhood favorites so you and your teammates have places to pop into after the game.
Hanson Dry:
Just north of the fields, and right across from the A/C train station is Hanson Dry, a neighborhood favorite and for good reason.
They’ve got well priced cocktails, a warm, inviting, unpretentious vibe to the space, and a private backyard. It’s the perfect spot for you to hang up your cleats for a drink or two before you hop on the train.
Bilt Bar
Bilt Bar is your no-nonsense old school Brooklyn bar. They’ve got excellent cocktails, a friendly staff, and possibly the most important thing they’re right on the same block as the field, at 583 Vanderbilt Avenue.
Espescially when you don’t want to go very far for a bar in the winter, Bilt is the perfect choice.
Uncle Barry’s
To wrap up the list, we’ve got Uncle Barry’s just two blocks away from the field on the other side of Barclay’s.
Uncle Barry’s is another great spot, particularly if you want to carry on from your game with some fun, less active activities like trivia (every Wednesdays) and darts.
How To Get There:
Subway: Chelsea Piers is near one of the main locus of transportations in Brooklyn, Atlantic Ave. The stop is 4 blocks away from the field, meaning you can grab the 2, 3, B, D, 4, 5, N, Q, R, trains all from that same station.
Just two more blocks and you can also find a stops for the G and C.
Bus: If you’re looking to get there by bus, you’re going to want to get either the B69 or the B52.
Bike: There’s also a CitiBike station on the corner next to the facility.
And there’s Chelsea Piers Filed House in Prospect Heights! Until next time.
Ever,
James B
Neighborhood Spotlight: Riverbank State Park, The Gem of the Hudson
Hey all, it’s been quite some time since we’ve been able to bring you a neighborhood spotlight, but this field is just so over the top with good qualities we couldn’t pass up the opportunity.
So without further ado, introducing Riverbank State Park!
Riverbank State Park, Harlem, NYC
Riverbank State Park was originally designed to mirror Japanese urban rooftop designs, making it a one-of-a-kind facility in the city.
Before we get to the pitch itself, we just have to touch on the depth of offerings Riverbank has beyond just soccer.
The facility includes an olympic sized pool, an 800 seat theater, a 2,500 seat athletic complex, an ice rink in the winter that doubles as a roller rink in the summer, playgrounds for kids, four tennis courts, four paddleball courts, four basketball courts, an educational greenhouse (for all of you who continue, despite your best efforts, to kill your houseplants), a softball field, a running track, a carousel, an amazing bar and restaurant, and all of it with a spectacular view of the Hudson River and the Palisades.
It’s the first time that we’ve been able to run a league here at Riverbank, and so we want to make sure you’ve got everything you need so that you feel like even though it’s your first time, that you’re well situated.
The Field:
The most important detail of any league you play in is the pitch. How’s the turf? what are the sidelines like? Are there bleachers for your adoring fans?
Riverbank has you covered on all fronts.
The field is a regulation, 11v11 sized pitch, surrounded by a running track, so you don’t have to worry about any walls or fences, just the occasional incensed jogger, but that’s NYC up and down anyways.
The turf was recently redone so you can expect a flat, even, experience when you’re playing. Unfortunately that means you’ll have to wait a few years to be able to reliably blame your mistakes on the field.
Since we’re running both 11v11 and 7v7 leagues here, you can expect fields of different sizes, 11v11 running the length of the entire field, and 7v7 splitting the field into two halves for a more reasonable game size given the numbers.
Plus, there are places for friends and fans alike to sit all around the facility.
The Neighborhood:
The footbridge to Riverbank State Park comes right off of 145th street and Riverside Drive. If you walk just a little bit further into Manhattan (read: one block), you’ll find an area full of bars, restaurants, and life.
Or if you’d rather, you can stick to the edge on Riverside Park, enjoy the green trees, open spaces, and long bike path that can take you all the way up and down the island.
As is the format, we’ll give you our three top recommendations for after game watering holes, but this is a great area to explore around it.
Harlem Public
Something about Harlem Public’s “Do Work, Sip Brews” resonates with us. And as it turns out, it resonates with their 60k+ followers on Instagram too.
Between their classic American fare, a great and shifting craft beer selection, tons of specials throughout the week, and heaps of charisma and charm, you can go wrong here, but if you do it’s probably on you.
Sofrito
If you, like I am, are a person of class and taste and all you want from like is a good margarita within walking distance from your soccer field, well you’re in luck.
Not only is Sofrito inside of the Riverbank park facility and stocked to handle all your margarita desires, they also are known for some incredible Puerto Rican food.
If you’re looking for the perfect balance of convenience and choice, with outdoor seating and even a little snack bar on the side if all you want is a bite on your way back home, this is it.
Hamilton’s:
If you’re looking for something that hits right in the middle, Hamilton’s is it.
Your cozy daytime cafe that becomes a relaxed bar with live jazz at night, and only 3 blocks away from the field (and only one away from the subway), Hamilton’s is great on any day of the week at any time.
The space is warm, open, and inviting and so are the staff. If you’re looking for somewhere to rest your legs and have some drinks and some laughs with your teammates after the game, Hamilton’s is great.
How To Get There:
Subway: The 1 train will let you off at 145th street, which is exactly one block from the facility. Just three blocks beyond that, the A, B, C, and D trains all stop at 145th street as well. So traveling by train is by far your best bet.
Bike: Biking up the Hudson River is honestly one of the most pleasurable and calming experiences NYC has to offer. Not to mention, if you work in midtown it’s only a 30 minute ride, which is going to be faster than any taxi. There
Sadly, there aren’t any ferry stops near by.
This is all we’ve got for you today! Stay tuned for the next spotlight!
NYC Footy: Managing Meeting Gender Requirements for Free Agent Teams
At NYC Footy, we have very intentionally focused on fostering and building a vibrant and inclusive soccer community by offering leagues that are and always have been mixed gender.
A meaningful part of our community, season in and season out, is made up of individuals and small groups that go on to join teams of total strangers for the joy of the beautiful game. Our mixed gender format is designed to create an environment where everyone can play, compete, and build connections.
At NYC Footy, we have very intentionally focused on fostering and building a vibrant and inclusive soccer community by offering leagues that are and always have been mixed gender.
A meaningful part of our community, season in and season out, is made up of individuals and small groups that go on to join teams of total strangers for the joy of the beautiful game. Our mixed gender format is designed to create an environment where everyone can play, compete, and build connections.
As we continue to grow, we are committed to maintaining the integrity of our league while addressing challenges related to gender balance within teams. As organizers and players, we know that ensuring a balanced gender composition is crucial to providing a positive and enjoyable experience for all participants whilst fulfilling our vision of a competitive but not ridiculous soccer experience for New Yorkers. That is why we have established certain gender minimums for each team, such as having a specified number of female players on the pitch at all times.
However, we recognize that, despite our concerted efforts, assembling teams with sufficient female players can sometimes be a challenge. We want to be transparent about the options available to free agent teams that find themselves in this situation, ensuring that they can navigate the situation with clarity and collaboration.
If registered players made up of individuals and small groups do not, collectively, create appropriately gender balanced free agent teams, and NYC Footy’s additional outreach efforts do not fulfill this need, we have provided the following options for Free Agent Teams without sufficient female players:
[Ongoing] Female Player Referral Program: NYC Footy has a standing referral program that provides a 50% off discount for any new female player introduced to our community by an existing member. That member, agnostic of gender, will receive $50 in NYC Footy credits per new female player introduced to our community (up to $1,500 in credits).
Reduced Female Minimum Grace Period: When registering as an individual or part of a small group, NYC Footy groups you with others to form a free agent team. If your team doesn't meet the required gender minimums before the season begins, we will add an "FAx" qualifier to your team name for the first two weeks. This qualifier temporarily reduces the female minimum by one (1) female for games in divisions where two (2) or more female players are required. After the initial two weeks, “FAx” teams will be expected to meet the standard female minimum by leveraging the following resources:
FootyHQ Player Forum: Each free agent team will have an assigned captain who can access our FootyHQ community forum. In this forum, captains can actively recruit female players for the entire season or for individual games.
Captain's WhatsApp Chat: Captains also have access to the "captain's chat" for their division. This feature allows them to collaborate with other captains and explore the possibility of borrowing female players from other teams..
Female Recruitment Discount Code: NYC Footy provides a discount code to FAx teams, enabling existing roster players to invite female players to join the league at a reduced rate (usually $20 for a full season).
Beyond these tools, we are heavily motivated to explore partnerships and support from female-focused organizations, student bodies, and other communities to encourage female player participation, which strengthens the diversity of our Footy family and ensures our free agent teams are experiencing NYC Footy as it was intended.
At NYC Footy, we value the passion and enthusiasm our participants bring to the field. We understand that challenges can arise, and we appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we collectively work towards strengthening our community and the player experience as a whole.
The Wonderful People of NYC Footy: Debbie Tasioudis
This is Debbie’s Story, her battle through Covid and breast cancer, and finding strength through soccer.
J: James Berry here again with our second Wonderful Person of NYC Footy, Debbie Tasioudis. Debbie, good to see you, why don’t you tell everyone a little bit about yourself?
D: Hey James, sure. Well my name is Debbie Tasioudis, I’m from Atlanta, but I live in Brooklyn now. I work for the NYC for the schools and I joined Footy in I think 2021, spring or summer of 2021 sounds right.
J: Did you have friends that played already?
D: No, I actually joined as a free agent, but we sort of coalesced afterwards and have come together and are now our own team.
J: That’s great. What’s the team name?
D: Heat Strokes (hey everyone!), but I’m also playing on FA Weah Behind Schedule. I think we’re currently number six in the league right now.
J: Out of?
D: Out of seven.
J: It’s a rebuilding season then.
D: Exactly. No, we’d like to be good, but it’s not really about winning for us, it’s just about, you know, getting out there and having fun.
J: As it should be. Where do you guys play?
D: I’m a bit all over, I play at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Sternberg, and also in Ridgewood, and I can’t really figure out which one I like more. BBP has that amazing view, but Ridgewood and Sternberg are just kind of like home I guess. I love them all.
J: Yeah it’s hard to pick just one, I feel like having a home field is a really special thing though, so I’m glad you’ve got 2. How did you end up finding Footy in the first place?
D: I played in one season of NYC Soccer and I just didn’t find it to be very social. It was like you show up, you play the game, you leave. I was asking around about more social leagues and someone recommended Footy, so I looked into Footy and I’ve found a really nice community of players.
J: I think that’s the most important thing about Footy right, the community.
D: Exactly. And Heat Strokes are definitely such a solid group now, it’s just really good.
J: That’s incredible. So you and I have talked a bit, but could you just tell us about your story, and what happened to you right at the beginning of Covid?
D: Absolutely, so in 2020-I work for the NYC schools, we shut down our school system on March 23rd- we opened maybe 50 schools just for kids of first responders, and I had the privilege of leading one those schools. While I was doing that, I got Covid. Probably not at school, but yeah.
So I was home with Covid in April and had to wait a little to go to the doctor, but when I did, I discovered that I had stage 2 breast cancer. All of the hospitals were closed and I had to wait until June to get surgery. That led to another surgery in July, 16 weeks of chemo, and almost 30 rounds of daily radiation. That was tough.
That ended around February 2021. I was feeling really grateful to be at a place where there was no evidence of disease. I made it through the difficulties of chemo, made it through the slow but difficult consequences of radiation. I went home for a month, worked remotely and tried to focus on feeling healthy again.
Sometime in there, I realized that I hadn’t been working out in the way that I normally do and I hadn’t been active enough. I came back to NY and for example I was scared to be on the train, not because of issues on the train, but because my body was scared to be around a lot of people. And I started taking a protective stance in crowds, in the grocery store.
It took me a while to realize that this wasn’t a Covid thing, this was a cancer thing after all the things that happened to my body.
So I decided that I couldn’t walk around afraid all the time. I had to find a way to find some body confidence, to not be scared. So the first thing that came to me was getting back on the soccer field.
I had played soccer in high-school, I played a little co-ed in college, and I played in my mid-twenties when I moved back to NY, but I hadn’t played in a long time.
To me it seemed like a good way to get confident again because, you know, it’s a good way to get hit, but in a safe way. You intend to throw your body in front of another person, you intend to throw your body in front of the ball.
So I very cautiously made my way to a P5 NYC Footy team. I gotta say my first season was very tough.
I had some muscle memory about the game, but the ball would come towards me and I would scream a high-pitched scream I don’t normally use and run from the ball or cower. I was reluctant to run into anyone. But every game it got a little better and a little better.
I really felt like I had to tell my teammates why I was there and why I was excited to be on the field but sometimes afraid of the ball.
So I told a couple of my teammates, I told the captain, ‘I’m here. I just finished cancer treatment. I’m trying to get some body confidence back. Get myself back to feeling normal and strong.’ My teammates were so open, responsive, and supportive.
J: Can you speak to what it felt like to get to that point? To feel like you were able to get your body back.
D: A thing happens when you have a couple surgeries, radiation. You’re still in your body, but your body is a different body than it was before. So there’s a lot to that.
I’m part of a group called The Breasties. It’s this incredible network of pre-vivors-people who don’t have cancer, but have a genetic disposition- survivors, caregivers, and thrivers-people who are living with on-going cancer.
They’ve got really great resources, like on how to do a self-exam, I literally wouldn’t be here if I didn’t do a self-exam, and so much more. But through this network, I spoke with others about how to get comfortable in my bodies again and things that I could do intentionally to get comfortable.
Things like looking in the mirror everyday. Outfit of the day. Exercising. Finding strength. I think that was some of my motivation.
I also have a regular barre practice. When the studio re-opened in person I started going back there again. That got me feeling strong and confident again, but that’s a singular practice I was doing.
There’s a difference in soccer because it’s a thing your body does with other people.
The people on your team, and the people you play against, it’s more of a full-contact sport and that’s what was missing for me and I found on the soccer field; the physical movement, remembering that I can do hard things, I can run for a 20 minute half, I can take a hit, I can take the ball from someone.
Then there’s also a mental thing that happens on the field. You and your teammates develop a language together and it’s a really encouraging environment. Particularly on the teams I’ve been on.
On Heat Strokes for example, we’re very encouraging on each other when we’re on the field, and then in our chat as well. I get confidence from that, from being a part of a team and seeing your skills improve over time.
J: There are people, while many or most might not come from a situation as dire as cancer, come into this league coming off of a serious injury, or with a feeling of feeling isolated in their own body, or even detached from their own body. Can you speak more to what made you feel like it was time to take that space back in yourself? What led to that decision and what it felt like to be doing that?
D: You know when I first came to NY I think I played one season of soccer. Through a dating situation I played softball. It’s not really an athletic sport. It’s a lot of standing around. But I got tackled once-
J: You got tackled in softball?
D: Correct. In softball. By a drunk 250 pound guy who didn’t even have the ball and I wound up tearing my my gastroc muscle. You could hear it pop. So I was reluctant after that. I was in a boot for maybe 8 weeks or something.
But it goes back to the cancer thing, the injury thing, you cannot be afraid forever. There’s so much good that happens in a 50 minute game.
I always play outside. Just being outside, not thinking about work, not thinking about your personal relationships. It’s you, your teammates, and the game. It’s such a privilege to move your body.
That is first and foremost something I learned: you never know what’s going to happen and once you find yourself in a situation, through injury or cancer, you realize what a gift it is to move your body every day and so you want to keep doing that.
It’s also not the world cup. It’s a Wednesday rec league, or a Sunday rec league, you don’t have to be perfect. Just go out there and try to play well, try to be better every game.
J: When someone close to you tells you they have cancer, there’s a lack of understanding of how to respond to that. How do people who are around someone diagnosed with cancer, or any serious illness, how can they help. There’s almost this feeling of not wanting to burden them more, or wanting to give them space. What were the things that were most helpful for you to receive from the people around you and what might you offer to people who may be needing that kind of help in their own recovery, whether they can ask for it, or find it from their teammates, friends, and family?
D: I think the single most important thing for me in survivorship in that time after active treatment ends is an understanding that when active cancer treatment ends it’s not over, survivorship is a lifetime of ongoing appointments, check-ins scans, tests, and it’s terrifying every time.
Your body remembers what it’s like to go to the place where you got chemotherapy, where you got surgery, where your body got radiated. Even if you feel comfortable, your body can feel resistant.
I think that’s something people don’t realize, I think people think that cancer treatment’s over, she doesn’t have cancer anymore. It’s done. But there really isn’t a finish line. There are benchmarks.
You can make it to 5, 10 years, and you’re probably not going to get it again, but you’re always looking over your shoulder. You’re always trying to learn how to live in your body. And you’re putting yourself in a situation where you’re doing everything you can to not get cancer again.
I think the awareness that it doesn’t end when the treatment ends and just listening, making space, and checking in. Just saying “how are you? How are things going?” I think there’s a lot of assumptions and just listening and understanding for me is the the most important thing in my survivorship.
I think also every cancer survivor I know can talk about people who they told they had cancer to and then never heard from them again. It happens all the time. People have their own trauma around cancer, their own stories. Or they just don’t know what to say, they get overwhelmed.
I don’t think I need someone to reach out and say ‘hey how’s your cancer’, just ‘hey how are you?’ For a lot of us, we just want to know that people care. That we’re not just our cancer diagnosis, that we’re complex beings.
J: You’ve got such an incredible story, and just hearing you talk about it with such confidence is really magnificent and awesome, is there anything you want add that I might have missed?
D: Yeah. I love my barre practice, I love my regular workouts, that’s what keeps me injury friend when I’m not on the field. But there’s something so wonderful about being a part of a team, having this amazing game to focus on every week.
It is the highlight of my week. If it’s raining or snowing, I’m learning to love it. I’m grateful for Footy, you don’t have to be great at this game, you just have to get out there.
The other thing I would say, you’re never too young to get breast cancer and I would encourage people to get to know your own body, and learn how to perform a self-exam.
Anybody can get breast cancer. Some people say “Feel it on the first”, just make a routine, get to know how your breast is supposed to feel. I’m alive today because I found the lump myself.
And one final note, when I got back I got hit in the breast, nearly immediately, with a soccer ball and I thought, “oh my god I have breast cancer again” but, pro-tip from my breast oncologist, you cannot get breast cancer from getting hit with a soccer ball.
J: Hahaha that’s great to know. Debbie this has been so inspiring and thank you for taking the time to come down and share your story with me and all of us here in the Footy community.
D: Of course, I’m happy to do it.
The Best Field You've Never Heard Of: Bush Terminal Park
Hugging the water on the west shoulder of Sunset Park, in an area that remains what Williamsburg was like 20 years ago (soon to be overrun), sits the greatest park in NYC you’ve never played on. Bush Terminal Park.
The Field: Bush Terminal Park is one of those rare places that has Perfect turf, clear field lines, tons of space, high fences, and an incredible view of both the city to the north and of the Manhattan Sound, which the field is situated right alongside.
Fresh Cut Turf!
A sanctuary of Footy
Bush Terminal Park is just waiting to become the next Bushwick Inlet Park, or even the next Pier 5.
I say that in large part because of what is around the field, which I will get into later in the post, but also because of the opportunity the field presents.
Bush Terminal Park, for all of it’s beauty and serenity, has remained largely un-chartered territory by leagues because of how far south it is. It’s parallel with the southern part of Prospect Park.
But that distance, which as any New Yorker will tell you grows smaller every year, has framed Bush Terminal Park as one of the ideal fields in the city.
A field in relative isolation, surrounded by good food, good bars, and good views, that you and a dozen of your friends can make your own, to retreat to every weekend or week night, curl your backs to the city, and just play.
There’s a Field of Dream’s quality to the place and believe me it won’t stay like that forever.
If the field itself wasn’t enough to convince you, let’s take a look at what’s going on nearby.
The Neighborhood:
Up first, we’ve got somewhere you’ve undoubtedly heard of.
Industry City - Sunset Park
Located a ten minute walk from the pitch, this massive indoor-outdoor facility has everything you could ever imagine inside.
More bars than you could realistically go to in a season of Footy (but we won’t stop you), artist pop-ups, dozens of incredible restaurants, game and leisure spaces at every turn, event spaces, comic book shops (shout out to St. Marks Comics), as well as tons more I’m running out of space to list.
It’s a place designed to foster community and you can feel that in and out at every new area you walk into.
My recommendations would be to set up a little cocktail crawl or a wine waddle, and see where you and your team like it best.
Keep an eye out for the Gun Hill Publick House, as they’re notoriously kind to people wearing NYC Footy jerseys.
Up Next, we’ve got a Footy Favorite: The Five Boroughs Brewing Co.
The Five Boroughs Brewing Co.
With more types of beer than you can shake a stick at, a great space that happens to be only 2 blocks from the field, some of the kindest staff and brewers on site, a bar room full of games and other activities, and a healthy balance of numerous, yet avoidable if unwanted TV’s, there’s not much more one could hope for when looking for an after game haunt.
Except a standing discount for NYC Footy players… which there also is.
If you and your friends are looking for the nearest, and possibly best place to drink after your games at Bush Terminal Park, look no further.
But, if you’re looking for something a little different, with a little more Sunset Park flavor, head to the last place on our list, Judy’s.
Judy’s - Sunset Park
If you’re looking for a wholesome joint that wants nothing more than you to feel welcome, have a drink, relax, and be apart of it’s community, Judy’s is it.
Judy’s (which has made this list for other fields) is the perfect balance of coffee shop meets bar, sliding from one to the other seamlessly around 5PM everyday (although everything is served all the time).
The outdoor space is comfortable, the drinks are affordable, the snacks are great, the pastries are from The Good Batch Bakery, and if nothing on menu is to your liking, the staff will literally help you find a place nearby to order or grab food from which you’re more than welcome to eat at the bar.
If that doesn’t illustrate what type of establishment this is, I’m not sure what will.
The Transportation:
Most people’s big complaint for this field is that it’s too far away. But I’m here to help you find your way here so you can discover the most underserved field in the city.
Trains: The D train stops at 45st and is only a 10 minute walk from the field.
Bikes: Biking remains (as is true of most of Brooklyn) the best way to get to this field. With easy bike lines along the waterfront and a Citi Bike station right at 43rd street and 2nd avenue (one block from the entrance to the park), this is by far the simplest way to get here.
Car: One of the very rare occasions that I’ll bring up driving here because the parking is actually incredibly sound in this area. Not to mention the field happens to be right off of the Belt Parkway, making it super convenient for any car commuting folk.
Bus: The B37 is your best bet, as it runs straight down 3rd avenue and drops you off 2 blocks from the field.
That’s all we’ve got for this field, we’re looking forward to seeing you out there soon!
-James Berry