Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association has announced that David Phaff of Middle Country Children’s Soccer was named its TOPSoccer coach of the year.

Phaff gained experience with the Commack TOPSoccer Program and recently started Middle Country’s TOPSoccer Program in the Long Island Junior Soccer League.

His leadership has mentored Middle Country’s teenage volunteers as well.

To help further the program, Phaff has used contacts he has developed in central Suffolk County to market it and this season, there is an increase in participants. He and his wife Tara have contacted families of players and encouraged them to spread the word to other groups about TOPSoccer and all the benefits of the program.

He has worked with the Town of Brookhaven Disability Task Force and was recognized by councilman Kevin LaValle of District 3 for starting this program.

The Phaffs have even brought their daughter’s Girl Scout troop to offer snacks to all TOPSoccer players.

Phaff also has been a trainer and coach.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.