Reading-Berks Junior Soccer League has been named the 2023 winner of Eastern PA Youth Soccer’s prestigious D’Anjolell Award!
The award is presented to a club or league to recognize its contribution toward growing youth soccer in Eastern PA. The winning organization is evaluated on its ability to develop recreational and competitive players in many ways, such as:
The award is named for the late Ron and Betty D’Anjolell, who were instrumental in growing the grassroots youth game here in Eastern PA, and in helping to form EPYSA in 1972.
Our League has been recognized for our longstanding mission to encourage kids to play soccer. Our mission started way back in the mid-1970s with our focus on Berks County, and it continues today – where Clubs in Berks and surrounding counties make our fields come alive with soccer-playing kids on the weekends.
We gratefully thank our Member and Guest Clubs for their sustained, tireless efforts. Our Clubs, each with their tremendous corps of volunteers, are helping so many kids and their families make soccer a part of their lives – including nearly 230 teams and over 2,800 kids during our Fall 2023 season. One of the best illustrations of the efforts of our Clubs is that so many of our League’s former players are ‘paying it forward.’ We have so many folks who fell in love with the game while playing for an RBJSL Club (myself included), and who now serve as coaches, referees, Club leaders, and RBJSL Executive Board members.
The youth soccer landscape has changed so much in the past 45+ years, but our League’s legacy and mission continue to thrive because of the tremendous work of our Clubs. We’re certainly doing our part to maintain our area’s reputation as a soccer hotbed.
As we embark on our Spring 2024 season, we can be proud of what we’ve collectively accomplished. This award should motivate all of us to continue to do what we do, for all of our players and their families. And…let’s not forget…with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, we’re going to have the opportunity to introduce even more kids to playing the beautiful game.
Congratulations to all of those who have served or are serving our League and our Member and Guest Clubs. EPYSA has recognized your efforts, and our League graciously and humbly accepts the 2024 D’Anjolell award on your behalf.
Regards…
…Adam
RBJSL President