MISSION

Why?
New York Family Sports is dedicated to promoting, informing, education and enabling NYC youth--any age, any level any sport--who are having fun playing sports. No other publication serves as a central clearinghouse for the what, how, when and where of all youth sports information, leagues, activates, events and facilities. As an extension, we created a FIRST-EVER umbrella awards show for all the non-scholastic youth sports organizations--the people who play and create play all on their own. The awards have less to do with wins and losses than the commitment and the journey. We only give awards to teams and coaches--no all-stars, no MVPS. But everyone will be treated like stars in an Oscars-meets-ESPYS night of glitz.

Where is it going?
The PINKY Awards will stand as an annual institution, representative of the youth sports community it serves and animated by the values it promotes. In a world where professional sports is a multi-billion dollar business, we hope that at least for one night each year in New York we can talk about the purity of sports--the play.

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PRESS RELEASE

Click here to download a PDF (105KB) of the press release.

Award Profiles

2009 PINKY AWARD WINNERS

TRIUMPH OVER ADVERSITY AWARD------Asphalt Green U14 Girls Soccer
For starters, this team did not have a dedicated goalkeeper. Field players had to take turns playing the critical position of goalie, which is usually the kiss of death in competitive soccer. On top of that, two of their players had broken bones during the season,'which forced them to play a player short for the entire season due to a lack of additional players for substitution. Despite all of these challenges, the team went undefeated and un-scored upon (28 goals for, 0 goals against)--winning the championship of their division as well as the sportsmanship award. When the going got tough, this team got going and couldn't be stopped.

ROAD TRIP OF THE YEAR------Chelsea Piers Girls Gymnastics Team
We could recognize this team's impressive resume of accomplishments like being Level 4 State Champions, Level 6 State Champion, Level 8 State Bars Champion, Level 9 All Around Champion, Level 10 Regional Balance Beam Champion, plus three level 9 Eastern National Qualifiers. From Tupelo, Mississippi, Rochester, New York to Danvers, Massachuseets has done some amazing things. But it's hard for us to think of anything more amazing than packing up 60 female gymnasts, Levels 3 though 10, ages 6-16 and going to %u2026LAS VEGAS!! N, this is a not a reality show but it could've been. The Vegas Cup was held on February 6-8 2009. In between practices, The Chelsea Piers Girls Gymnastics Team went rode the roller coaster at NewYork NewYork and played with sharks at the Mandalay Bay Hotel Aquarium and went to Cirque de Soleil. When the time arrived for competiton, many of the gymanasts placed highly on all levels and all events. And the icing on the cake? One of the dad's won $6,000 bucks!

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD------(TIE!)
Gotham Girls FC Chargers
This team was introduced to soccer when there were no all girls clubs in the city. So, they played with the boys. This early experience truly forged an identity. It was team identity.. The incredibly diverse culture quilt of Brazilian, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Italian, Polish, Russian, African American, and Chinese became one nation: Chargers.They never complained. They just played. In 2008 they won the prestigious Virginia Tournament that draws over 500 teams, a mecca for college scouts. The Charger's success continued with their entry into the highest competitive playing level available; the ENYSSA Premier League. In 2009, the team graduated 6 seniors who are playing for collegiate programs. The 2009/2010 Chargers continue to perform in the premier league but they also continue to be a model of all-for-one and one-for-all sportsmanship.

New York Dragons Travel Basketball, 4th Grade
Before last year, there were no New York Dragons. Coach Denetrius Sams put it together after some parents asked him to lead their children. In their first year even in existence the 4th grade team entered the highly competitive SuperLeague. 10 kids: 5 black. 5 Jewish. ONE team. During their regular season, some of their key players had to miss games due to family obligation. But teammates on this team never complained. They just played. They went 9-3 but knew they could do better. They entered the playoffs with everyone together and swept their way to championship. They said they won it for each other. They said they won it for the program. We just love the way they won it.

UNDERDOG OF THE YEAR AWARD------(TIE!)
Yorkville Eagles U9 Girls Basketball
They were the youngest girls basketball team in the City. Almost know teams were the same age so--in what was the first season ever playing basketball for some of the girl--this team showed up game in game out and played teams 6-12 inches taller and 10-20 lbs heavier. Still, they never missed a game or Tournament. On very last game of the season they scratched out a hard fought win. Character, competiton and camaraderie--these guys had all three all season long.

Yorkville Eagles U8 Boys Baseball
The 2-4 Eagles faced the undefeated New Castle team in a double header. To this point, New Castle had torn through the league outscoring their opponents 83-19 on the season. After scoring 4 runs in the top of the 1st inning, New Castle looked like they would cruise to another victory and it would be a long day for the Eagles. But that%u2019s why they play the games. The Eagles pushed across 2 runs to make the score 4-2 and their pitching didn't allow another run. The Eagles offense exploded to score 16 unanswered runs and shocked New Castle and the league by winning the game 16-4 AND taking the second game 6-0. Though New Castle won the league, the Eagles won the day!

2009 COACHES AWARDS------

Brian Brown, Head Coach of the AGUA Swim Team
Do you know the kind of hours a swim coach keeps? They are up earlier than hockey coaches and stay later than most. That's certainly true of AGUA Head Coach Brian Brown, who has a simple yet effective philosophy: "work works." He practices what he preaches, running 10 practices per week plus four "dry-land" sessions focusing on the fitness. And it%u2019s not uncommon for him to end his day driving home one of his swimmers--to another borough. Coach Brown's tireless dedication may occasionally show around his eyes, but you are more likely to notice his intensity, passion, and commitment. He knows how to work with all kinds of kids, how to inspire them to be their best--even better than they thought they could be. He teaches them the skills they need to compete and the discipline they need to win. And those are the kind of lessons that will prove valuable even when they are out of the pool, and for years to come. And that's what really differentiates Coach Brown. His goal is to develop internationally competitive swimmers (his record of success in that area is nothing short of spectacular) but he knows that such success can only come through hard work, the passionate pursuit of excellence, and other fundamental character traits that will serve his athletes well no matter what course they make take in life.
Andrew J. Perel, Manhattan Youth Baseball Academy
Coach Perel's commitment to the Manhattan Youth Baseball ("MYB") Academy and its travel team is truly extraordinary. Perel has been coaching and mentoring MYB players for over six years, and has given his time and personal generosity to help MYB Academy succeed. Coach Perel helped organize and sponsor the "Team New York" trip to the International Little League World Series in the Dominican Republic last February. Coach Perel, who was also the co-manager for Team New York, went above and beyond normal generosity by securing travel arrangements, uniforms, cleats, and equipment for the team. Without his assistance, Team New York would not have been able to travel, play and win the tournament. In addition, Perel secured special Certificates of Accomplishment from Mayor Bloomberg for each player in the tournament. Also, Coach Perel organized a trip to the Yankee's spring training for twelve MYB players and seriously ill children from The Starlight Foundation. This was a moving experience for the MYB kids who mentored the Starlight kids, and helped teach the MYB players some valuable life lessons. Bobby Hoffman, founder and owner of the MYB says of coach Perel, "He believes that baseball is more than a game, it's about life's lessons."
Kevin Guthrie, Yorkville Youth Athletic Association Flag Football
Kevin is a volunteer coach who has the unique ability to explain each aspect of the game, break it down for the players and have them understand just how each skill is performed. The players practice each skill and then Kevin works those skills into game situations. Kevin has so much patience and is fair to all players. Whether you are new to the sport and your skills have not developed yet or you are a very good athlete, he has the ability to reach and teach all levels and help the players work together and know that each player is important to his team. Kevin is soft spoken and enthusiastic. But this may say it best about Kevin: Last winter Kevin coached a group of 4th/5th grade boys. Many parents commented that "We have not won a game all season, but my son can't wait to come to Flag Football." Or this: "Coach Kevin teaches our kids the game and he teaches our kids about sportsmanship." Proof is in the pudding, they say. Kevin coaches in the fall, winter and spring sessions. All players who have played for him in the past want him to coach them again and again.
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Duane Castleberry, JCC Athletics Director/Coach
Fro ten years, Coach Duane is a very special kind of coach. Everyone was immediately impressed with his ability to teach kids basketball. Duane coaches sports programs for children as young as 16 months all the way to teenagers. His style of coach and teacher with a no-nonsense but warm hearted approach creates an environment where children of all ages can learn specific sports skills, develop naturally in a nurturing and positive atmosphere and most importantly have fun.

THE PRINCETON REVIEW ATHLETES AND ACADEMICS AWARD------Metropolis Track Club, Girls Team
Since 1991 this not-for-profit organization has been building self-esteem in youth from the ages of five to eighteen by encouraging young athletes to reach their potential academically and athletically through coaching track & field, mentoring and tutoring. Metropolis encourages their members to do some type of sport because they know that those skills is something that will last them a life time. Metropolis stresses that their members stay fit and use up their idle time wisely, especially in our culture where the obesity, pregnancy, drugs and gang level is on the rise. Metropolis is a competitive program , but we allow children of all abilities to participate. Some are All Americans and National Champions and others just run for fun. Through it all Metropolis teaches how to give back through community service and to be scholars first and athletes second. In fact, each year at least five and as many as ten of our scholar athletes are awarded academic and or athletes scholarships. 98% of Metropolis athletes are on the honor roll and some are taking AP and Honor Classes. Tonight we salute their achievements in sports and education with this special award.

GAME OF THE YEAR------MYB All Stars v. Mt. Vernon Tigers Club
The MYB All-Stars had gone 3-0 in pool play at the Verdero Nation Wood Bat Tournament heading for a clash with the Mt. Vernon Tigers Club in the semi-finals. The Tigers went with their star pitcher who delivered a gem: a 1 hit, 3 walk game. One of those walks cost him as that players scored on a double to the right center gap. Giving up one run on one hit is a fine performance. Unless the opposing MYB pitcher Wesley Rodriguez pitched a no hitter, which is exactly what he did. When a no-hitter beats a one-hitter all you can say is that%u2019s the game of the year

TEAM OF THE YEAR------Asphalt Green Unified Aquatics Women%u2019s National Team
AGUA (Asphalt Green Unified Aquatics) placed second overall in the women%u2019s competition at the 2009 Junior National Championships, producing two Junior National Champions. Two Junior National meet records were set by AGUA swimmers, and this team set 16 AGUA team records and six Metro LSC records. Four of the team's top female swimmers went on to compete at the National Championships/World Team Trials, achieving sixth place overall in the women%u2019s team standings and setting seven new AGUA team records, four Metro LSC records, and one National Age Group record as well as three AGUA relay records. On top of all that, three of the team's swimmers are currently ranked among the Top 100 in the entire world for Long Course swims.

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PINKY Ball History

History of the pinky and it's role in NYC sports/culture
The Hi-Bounce Pinky is a small pink rubber ball, somewhat similar to a racquetball, supposedly made from the defective core of a tennis ball without the felt. These balls were commonly used in NYC street games in the mid-20th century, such as Chinese handball (a variation on American handball), stoop ball, hit the penny (try to make a penny flip on the sidewalk), box ball, punchball, and stickball (a variation of baseball). Jonathan Lethem's 2003 book The Fortress of Solitude contains many references to the stoop ball game using pinky balls on the streets of 1970s Brooklyn.

It%u2019s relevance in sports today
Today, the PINKY ball is a staple of any sporting goods store. The PINKY is the quintessence of ball-dom. All you have to do is say you know "that rubber pink ball," and people know exactly what you're talking about.

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Heartwarming PINKY Ball Story

When we started New York Family Sports, we began by meeting all the directors of all the local youth sports organizations. One of the first meetings I had was in the offices of the Yorkville Youth Athletic Association with their Executive Director Arlene Virga.

We talked about YYAA programs, and youth sports in NYC and why kids need to learn more about this or that and then, out of nowhere, Arlene stood up.

"You ever see these pink rubber balls we use?"

She walked into then out of their storage room with an old-fashioned pinky ball in her hand. With a twinkle in her eye she placed a penny on floor and told me to get up from my seat and stand a few feet across from her with the penny between us.

"C'mon Dave. Let's see what you got."

I don't know if there's an official name for this game. Mitch in our office, who grew up in Brooklyn, calls it "Hit the Penny." Whatever it's called, Arlene and I played for, oh, what must've been a good ten minutes.

We've been doing "business" (or whatever it's called) together ever since.

Dave Hollander
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
New York Family Sports

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Board of Advisors

2009 Pinky's Advisory Board

Jordan Metzl, MD
Hospital for Special Surgery/Sports Medicine Institute for Young Athletes

Andy Gould
Deputy Commissioner, NYC Sports Commission/NYC & Company

Harrie Bakst
President, Carnegie Sports and Entertainment

Dominique Dawes
USA Olympian, 3-Time Gold Medalist

Tom Allon
President and CEO, Manhattan Media

TJ Kostecky
Men's Soccer Coach, Director of Sport Management, Long Island University

Seth A. Tropper
President & CEO, Switch2Health Corporation

Robert Franek
Senior Vice President - Publisher, The Princeton Review

Carlos Austin
Director Local Production & Community Affairs, WPIX-TV