In 1986, a great thing was created for the town’s youth, and it goes by the name of the Fort Lee Soccer League.
The league has grown year-by-year and is currently at over 600 boys and girls with more than 40 teams participating in it.
The Fort Lee Soccer League is made up of volunteers and a Board of Directors who manage day-to-day operations for the league. Every season new programs are introduced to help the young athletes stay in shape, stay on top of their game and have fun.
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Three teams in particular had outstanding seasons this year. The first of those teams is the U14 boys’ team, who are coached by Ralph Dimeglio, Alan Keller and Kevin Ware. The team of players who will be moving up to high school next year went undefeated in the Northern Counties Soccer League Division. Head coach Dimeglio is proud of his team, and said it is a bittersweet feeling seeing them head to the high school level.
“Unfortunately, most of our players on the under 14 boys team are moving up into high school, thus leaving the youth program,” said Dimeglio. “We wish them the best and hope for their great success.”
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But there were many great moments this season to remember the team by.
“For the boys, it has to be the final game of the year,” DiMeglio said. “Away on a Tuesday night in Dumont, they had already clinched the championship however were still in the pursuit of becoming undefeated. It was pouring rain, and they had played their hearts out, clinching the undefeated season in a win 2-1.”
The players also had fun during the season.
"This past season was remarkable; one that I will never forget,” Antonio DiMeglio said. "I loved playing on this team, and I would not doubt that everyone else on the team would say the same."
Coach DiMeglio sees a bright future for all of the players he coached this season.
“On the under 14 boys' team, most players are moving onto high school," he said. "Of course, some may have a brighter future than others in the sport, as they continue to play at higher levels. But we know that because of their experiences in our league, all of the players have a great future ahead.”
The second team to make noise in their division was the U13 girls' team coached by John Nitti, Ralph DiMeglio, Kelly Cooper and Greg Yee.
The U13 team also finished undefeated in their division, and their future looks equally bright if you ask their coaches. DiMeglio noted that, being under 13, all of those players will be returning for another season.
"We are seriously hoping for continued success and another great run as a team in this league next year," DiMeglio said. "For the girls, they not only have a bright future within our teams, but also in the long run."
The girls had many strong parts to their team, but their offense in particular stood out.
The third team to impress was the young but dangerous U8 travel team coached by Mike Payan and Rich Finzio.
The team, which was established in 2011, finished with a record of 6-3-1 and were a force all season long. The purpose at the team's level was to make friends, have fun, learn and enjoy the game of soccer. It seems like that mission was accomplished.
“I enjoyed the U8A boys team this season because everybody on the team liked to have fun, and we are all like a family,” player Niko Papaioannou said. “I also enjoyed it because we care about each other and we make an amazing team. Last but not least, I like it because we're the same in different ways and have great qualities.”
The U8 travel team draws only players from Fort Lee, while other teams they play against get players from multiple towns and counties.
The importance of youth sports can never be understated in the opinion of league officials, coaches and volunteers.
“Sports builds character, responsibility, team play and prepares the children for life’s many ups and downs,” DiMeglio said. “It teaches them to never get so high when things are looking good and never get down when things may not be going so well.”
The league has been a huge success, and its mission is to teach sportsmanship, trust and friendship out there on the playing field. Needless to say, things do get very competitive, but fun and learning is what it is all about.
