West Hempstead Secondary School hosted its community field day on the afternoon of the Board of Education elections on May 19. The event featured a soccer clinic run by professional players from The American Soccer Club NY, Long Island’s new professional soccer team.
Students participated in the soccer clinic and took photos with the players. They learned how to dribble, shoot, play defense, and work as a team. There were also arts and crafts stations for students, and Italian ices for kids and families.
Loraine Magaraci, president of West Hempstead Chief Soccer Club, and coach of the 7th grade travel team, put the event on to promote community turnout. “I wanted to put on the event to bring more people out for the budget vote,” she said. “If the whole town comes out to vote anyway, there’s an opportunity to make an event for everyone.”
Magaraci appreciated the collaboration of the community and the participation of American Soccer Club NY. “The pro players running the clinic and playing with the kids from our team are volunteering,” she said. “Everyone here is working side-by-side to bring everyone together.”
ASCNY’s General Manager, Jim Kilmeade, was enthusiastic in his support for Magaraci’s afternoon event. “The enthusiasm here is great, it reflects Loraine’s enthusiasm,” he said. “It’s all about community clubs.”
ASCNY was established in November of 2024 as a franchise in the National Premiere Soccer League, the third tier of professional soccer in the US. The NPSL has been in operation since 2002. There are 75 NPSL teams across the country.
Kilmeade and Magaraci connected last year, and West Hempstead students and families went to an ASCNY match. Kilmeade wanted to pay back the West Hempstead community by having his team at the school’s event. “In all the sophistication and growth of the game, people have forgotten about its roots in local soccer clubs,” he said.
Kilmeade’s goal with ASCNY is to have a full-time training grounds and home stadium built. Bolla Market has become the team’s presenting sponsor, and in collaboration with ASCNY, is starting a youth academy for top soccer players on Long Island. “We’re launching this academy to give opportunity to players across all socioeconomic statuses,” Kilmeade said. “We know there’s players on Long Island that have a chance to be pros.”
ASCNY’s next big event is West Hempstead Soccer Club Night on June 6. They will play New Haven at Mitchel Field in Uniondale.
