US Youth Soccer has named Addie Mattei-Iaia, president of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) as their Regional Administrator of the Year, an honor that positions her as a contender for the national title of Administrator of the Year. US Youth Soccer is the largest member of the United States Soccer Federation, the governing body for soccer in the United States. As a non-profit and educational organization whose mission is to foster the physical, mental and emotional growth and development of America's youth through the sport of soccer, US Youth Soccer is a nationwide body of over 600,000 volunteers and administrators, and over 300,000 dedicated coaches.

Addie Mattei-Iaia

Addie has been involved with the soccer community on Long Island for over 30 years. During this time she has worn many hats, from Soccer Mom and Team Snack Mom to league board member and her current title as the first woman President of the LIJSL, a position she has held for the past three years. The LIJSL oversees organized youth soccer for over 70,000 children in Long Island's 101 community-based clubs and is one of the largest youth soccer organizations in the entire United States, larger than 44 other state associations of U.S. Youth Soccer.

Addie has had a tremendous impact on Long Island youth soccer since she became involved on the administrative level over 20 years ago. She has helped the LIJSL grow and worked hard to ensure that the league has a "no player left behind" policy ensuring that no child is denied a place to play soccer because of economics or disability. Aside from her volunteer work with the league, Addie also runs her own successful travel agency, Journey Travel, in Smithtown.

"Addie Mattei-Iaia is indeed worthy of this prestigious award and we were most certainly impressed with her countless years of dedication to soccer at so many levels," stated Robert Palmeiro, Region I director for US Youth Soccer. "She has touched the lives of many with her passion and love for the game."

Region I of US Youth Soccer consists of the North East states from Virginia to Maine. For more information please visit www.usyouthsoccer.org or www.lijsoccer.com.