History: The Manhasset Soccer Club was formed in April 2000 for the charitable and educational purpose of promoting the sport of soccer for children in the Manhasset area. MSC fosters good sportsmanship and healthy competition. We are a volunteer-driven organization with hundreds of volunteers helping to create a positive experience for our children. Cow Neck Soccer was founded in 1978. Cow Neck p
rovided organized soccer games within Manhasset for 22 years via intramural games and participation on CYO travel teams. As soccer grew on Long Island, the owners of Cow Neck Soccer decided to retire from managing the program. In 2000, the Manhasset Soccer Club was formed to continue to provide the children of Manhasset the opportunity to play organized soccer. The Manhasset Soccer program grew quickly from its formation. In 2002, there were approximately 16 teams competing in the Long Island Junior Soccer League, 9 teams competing in the CYO league and 371 players in intramurals across pre-kindergarten to 3rd grade in age. These early years required weekly Board meetings to organize fields, schedules, rosters, equipment and numerous other tasks required for a youth sports program. The Founding Members put in hundreds of hours to establish the framework by which the club still operates. Through the work of countless volunteers, the program continues to grow. In 2012 we have 20 teams competing in LIJSL, 6 teams competing in travel recreation leagues, 15 competing in the Just Say Soccer travel league and approximately 700 intramural players. The club has also taken a leadership role within the Manhasset Community. In 2002, the club made a significant contribution to the stadium turf field at Manhasset High School (one of the first turf fields at a Long Island high school). In 2009, the club was one of the sponsors of the construction of a new field house on the high school campus. In 2010, the club assisted in fund raising and contributed to the construction of a second turf field at the high school. These fields with lights serve as practice and game facilities for many of our travel teams. In the spring of 2010, Manhasset joined only 16 other clubs on Long Island in offering an adaptive soccer program for special needs children. Manhasset SEPTA is a co-sponsor of this program and was integral in helping its launch. This activity attracts more teenage volunteers than players as everyone wants to be involved in this program! The high school students use the program to give back to the community and fulfill service requirements for graduation. In the fall of 2010, Manhasset sponsored teams in the Just Say Soccer travel league for 2nd and 3rd grade players. This was the first time we embraced travel teams at this age. This program has continued to grow with 15 travel teams in 2012. In 2012, working with the Town of North Hempstead and Indians Rock, Manhasset Soccer made a significant contribution to secure a new turf field with lights at Manhasset Valley Park for evening practices and games.
