Our Mission & Commitment
Mission
IYSA believes that ALL KIDS should have the opportunity to play the beautiful game. We are dedicated to offering a player centered program that will provide skill-based training curriculum focused on building our youth into mature, confident, technically sound soccer players.
Commitment
We formed the academy in July of 2019 as we recognized a community in the Ithaca area that was interested in providing their children with advanced soccer education in a fun, fair and player focused environment. We want to ensure that we meet your child where they are in their soccer development and mature them into the best player they can become.
Our Coaches &
Staff
Ziggy Harris
Director of Coaching (Founder)
With greater than 10 years of full time coaching experience from u8 through u18 Ziggy brings vast knowledge of the game to our young players. His love of the game and desire to work with and develop our players makes him an invaluable asset to the club.
Sean O'Brien
IYSA Board President
With over 40 years of experience in the game, Sean brings a lifetime of passion and dedication to the sport of soccer. He began playing at the age of five and has since played in every position on the field, ultimately finding his home as a goalkeeper from U12 through high school. His journey continued through university club soccer and even extended overseas where he played amateur club soccer in the Middle East while working abroad for four years.
Today he remains actively involved in the sport, playing in adult leagues and mentoring young athletes. His love for the game is matched only by his joy in watching his own children grow within the club and seeing all of the club players develop their skills and love of the game over time. As president of the academy, he is committed to fostering a positive, skill-focused environment where all players of all levels can thrive and have fun!
Patrick Arancio
Coach Girls U13 & Boys U14 - U19
Coach Patrick is a valuable addition to the IYSA community. He currently holds his USSF Class D coaching license. His collegiate soccer experience includes serving as men’s head coach at TC3 for two years, assistant women’s coach at Morrisville College for three years and head women’s coach at Wells College for three years. Coach Patrick has been with both the Ithaca Youth Soccer Academy as well as the ICSD, as the head coach of the girls’ JV program, since 2024. As a player, Patrick competed for four years on the Wells College men’s soccer team and played collegiate basketball. He continues to stay involved in the sport by playing in local adult leagues.
Samir Naamane
Head Coach U8-U19 (Founder)
Having coached full time at the u10 through u14 levels for approx.10 years Samir has a proven track record of building our youth into well rounded soccer players. He has also served as head coach at the middle school level for 2 years with the ICSD girls modified team. His passion for the game, 25 years of playing experience and vast coaching pedigree make him a great asset to our IYSA athletes.
DJ Roberts
Coach Girls U14 - U19
Coach DJ Roberts is currently the head coach of the IYSA U14-U19 Girls’ Teams as well as the head coach of the ICSD Varsity team. He has coached for six years with ICSD (3 as head coach) and 3 years with IYSA. His coaching experience also includes TC Waza, Ithaca College Women’s Club, Mansfield University and Gaffer City FC UPSL Women’s. He is also an experienced player himself, playing at the collegiate level at Wells College; winning Rookie of the Year for the NEAC Conference and All American-All Regional East All-American 2 times. Post college, he also played as a professional in the ASL for the AC Crusaders, Philadelphia Fury and semi pro leagues for the Rochester River Dogz, Lancers, Syracuse FC and Kranjnik FC (total of 5 years). He is also the founder of the Ithaca Premier Soccer League and the DDP Soccer Training Program.
Jason Bennett
Former president and founder
With greater than 35 years of playing experience and 10+ years coaching youth teams in the Ithaca area, Jason brought a great deal of experience during his time on the board and with the club. His involvement with coaching and managing soccer, hockey, baseball and basketball teams in Ithaca have also given him an excellent understanding of how sports programs function and an appreciation for how to effectively work with young athletes and their families.
Get In Touch
Please send us any questions you have about the Academy and we will get back to you promptly.
