Words - Yasin, New Jersey
New Jersey Youth Soccer held its 2025 awards dinner in Edison, with over 1,000 guests. The event recognized many accomplishments and celebrated the State's top performers in a fun atmosphere.
As a Youth Media Forward participant who also plays soccer, it was my privilege to be invited to participate as a behind-the-scenes photographer. Matt and Sydney - two other soccer-playing Youth Media Forward participants were also there, conducting red carpet interviews with awardees. It was an opportunity for us to practice media skills at a celebratory moment for youth soccer in our home State.
The awards honored the work ethic and passion that fuels the sport at every level - recognizing players, coaches, referees, volunteers, scholarship recipients, and more, and with interventions by special guests and VIPs.
The evening was as much a celebration of the past, as it was a source of inspiration for the future generation of New Jersey soccer, at a time when New Jersey and other locations across North America are preparing to host the 2026 World Cup.
Yasin is a New Jersey based participant in Youth Media Forward: meet the New York New Jersey participants here