Archive: Sports

A commitment to youth soccer and to his community are two of the reasons New Roots Charter School student Antonio Triana is the 2013 New York State Western Youth Soccer Association Male Young Referee of the Year. The Young Referee of the Year award is given annually to a male and female student/youth who demonstrates outstanding skills and promotes the game of Soccer to benefit others.

Triana is a senior at New Roots Charter School, where he ranks in the top 5% of his class academically. 2013 is his fifth year as a referee, and his resume as an official includes officiating at New York State Youth Soccer Championship matches in 2011, 2012, and 2013. Triana previously coached 8 and 9 year olds in a youth recreation soccer league. He currently plays for a TC United Club Soccer team as well as one for his school, and mentors new referees.

Triana says, "Being recognized as a Youth Referee of the Year is more about promoting the game of soccer, versus simply being a good referee. I'm honored to receive this recognition, but just as importantly, will continue to work with as many youth as I can, who share my love of soccer."


Triana was nominated for the award by New York State Youth Soccer Referee Administrator William Campbell, who says Triana's activities both on and off the soccer field were a big factor in the decision to name him the Male Young Referee of the Year. In addition to recruiting new Youth Referees and soccer players, Campbell says, "Triana also volunteers in his church as a pianist and helps with child care at the church. He's travelled to Costa Rica and Ecuador where he learned about homelessness and debated the social causes of it. He works in the Ithaca and Tompkins County communities to promote recycling and composting practices. He has a brown belt in Karate, and also assists in teaching Karate to new students."

Triana lives in Cortland, and has attended New Roots Charter School for two years. He'll be recognized for his accomplishments as the New York State Western Youth Soccer Association Male Young Referee of the Year at the Association's Annual Awards Banquet in Rochester on November 9, 2013.

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