Vallone Hails Youth Soccer Club
City Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. presents a city council proclamation to Eleftheria-Pancyprian Youth Soccer Club board members and some current players at Terrace On the Park September 30.

City Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. presented a city council proclamation to the Eleftheria- Pancyprian Youth Soccer Club, an after-school program that teaches children sportsmanship and discipline through the game of soccer. Club volunteers, community leaders and elected officials celebrated the club's 25-year milestone at Terrace On the Park on September 30. The group honored people who have donated their time and money over the years, as well as players who were on the first teams. Starting with only seven players and a few volunteers in 1981, the organization has grown to as many as 120 members between the ages of 6 and 18.

The Eleftheria-Pancyprian Soccer Club was founded by parents concerned that their children needed more activities to keep them from becoming idle or getting into trouble. Participants practice twice a week, outdoors in the fall and inside P.S.122 at Ditmars Boulevard and 21st Street during the winter. Vallone has earmarked $15,000 from the city budget to help keep the program active.

"Athletics play an important role in the lives of our children, teaching invaluable lessons that cannot be learned in the classroom. Getting into a habit of exercising regularly when young also sets the stage for a lifelong pattern of healthy living," Vallone said. "I'm happy to see this club thrive. Playing soccer helps youths kick bad habits like watching TV all day long."

"Our goals were to provide children of this community with an after-school activity, not only to keep them off the streets and away from the sedentary life in front of the television, but also to teach them discipline, hard work and teamwork," Nick Tziasas, club president, said.