CJSL Welcomes New ENYYSA ODP Director Wayne Fortino to Speak at AGM
The Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL) is proud to announce that Wayne Fortino, the newly appointed Olympic Development Program (ODP) Director for Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), will be a special guest speaker at our upcoming Annual General Member Meeting on Wednesday, June 26, hosted at Gjøa Clubhouse (850 62nd St, Brooklyn, NY). Doors open at 7:00 PM. Attendance is mandatory for all clubs—please RSVP and ensure up to two delegates attend.
With over 25 years of coaching and leadership experience in youth and collegiate soccer, Wayne brings deep expertise and passion for player development. His presence marks a significant opportunity for our clubs to learn more about the pathway to the national stage through ODP and how CJSL players can take part.
Ahead of the AGM, CJSL sat down with Wayne for a quick Q&A:
Q: What is ODP and why should clubs be paying attention?
Wayne: ODP is a national talent identification and development program run by U.S. Youth Soccer. It starts locally, with tryouts for ENY South ODP, then progresses through a regional tournament and on to the Inter-Regional Event. National scouts use that to identify players for international competition. It’s a unique pipeline to the U.S. National Team system.
Q: What are you most excited about in your new role?
Wayne: I’m excited to work with the incredible staff that Jim Volpe helped build—people like Gary Book, John Fitzgerald, Sue Ryan, and others. My focus is to give our staff the tools they need and bring ODP opportunities to as many players as possible.
Q: Any thoughts on the legacy you’re stepping into?
Wayne: I’m honored to continue the amazing work of the outgoing ODP Program Head, Jim Volpe. Under his guidance, Eastern New York ODP has become one of the most respected and progressive programs in the country. Jim’s tireless effort to make ODP more accessible and build a world-class coaching staff is an incredible achievement.
Honoring Jim Volpe
CJSL would also like to recognize and thank Jim Volpe for his years of service to ODP and the youth soccer community. A former CJSL player with the Oceanside Dynamo, Jim has spent decades shaping the game in New York. He coached multiple Oceanside United teams, served as club President for 12 years, and has been a leader in ENYYSA’s ODP since 2014. Under his watch, the 1999 Boys South team won the national championship in 2016—a landmark achievement.
Jim was inducted into the ENYYSA Hall of Fame in January 2020, a fitting recognition of a lifetime dedicated to soccer and service. The CJSL congratulates Jim on his incredible legacy and thanks him for elevating the sport for generations of players.
Join us on June 26 to hear directly from Wayne Fortino, connect with fellow club leaders, and help shape the next season of competitive soccer in New York City.
