Alleycats Soccer Club

Girls pathway and competition platforms

The girls program fields multiple team lines across age bands, including academy-style groups, U8 Lil Cats, and older sides that compete in CDYSL, USYS National League, and NPL Impact brackets. The club also competes in ECNL Regional League programming in the Northeast division, giving motivated players a nationally recognized league frame alongside strong regional schedules. Separately, the organization operates a women’s open-age side in the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) Women’s pathway, contesting the Northeast American Conference from an Albany base.

Mission, core values, and how families participate

The club’s mission is to foster physical, mental, and emotional growth for youth in the Capital District through soccer, with professional coaching and centralized leadership so each athlete can train in a supportive environment that still matches personal ability and commitment. Alleycats also promotes the sport overall, develops each player toward personal goals, and expects sportsmanship and fellowship among members while investing in facilities, coaching, and opportunities within the club’s resources.

Day-to-day culture is summarized by the DEDICATE acronym: devotion to personal and shared goals, enthusiasm, determination through setbacks, integrity, care for people and communities, alliance inside and outside the club, teamwork toward collective aims, and pursuit of excellence on and off the field. Alleycats is a nonprofit educational organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and reminds families that sustained success depends on active parent and player participation alongside volunteer leadership.

Training sites and geography

Home-base operations align with Afrim’s Sports Park at 969 Watervliet Shaker Road in Colonie—the same address used for general correspondence—plus additional Afrim’s indoor and outdoor venues in Albany, Glenmont (Bethlehem dome), and Latham. Training and matches also rotate through college and school complexes such as Albany College of Pharmacy, the College of Saint Rose, Siena College, Union College, Lansingburgh High School, Schenectady High School, and Nott Road Park in Guilderland, reflecting a true multi-town Capital Region footprint.

History in brief

Alleycats traces to 1994, when founder Afrim Nezaj launched what began as a semi-professional men’s side competing in the USISL between 1995 and 1999. That organization evolved into the youth developmental platform families know today, still tied to the Alleycats name and Capital Region soccer community.

How to reach the club or express interest

Families exploring the girls program can complete the prospective-player inquiry online; staff follow up after submissions. General questions, mail, and voicemail reach the club at Alleycats Soccer Club c/o Afrim’s Sports, 969 Watervliet Shaker Rd, Colonie, NY 12205, via alleycatsoccer@gmail.com or +1 (518) 417-2269.