Yesterday marked an exciting milestone for Beestera Soccer, as the organization took its first steps into the heart of New York City. With Regional Director Andrew "Drew" Trolio leasing Beestera’s expansion in the NYC Metro area, we had the opportunity to spend the day at Randall’s Island and St. Mary’s Park in the Bronx.

The day began at Randall’s Island, where Beestera co-founder James Beeston joined Drew to see the soccer fields filled with local pickup games.

Coach Drew, who is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Higher Education at Columbia University’s Teachers College, is not only a leader in the classroom but also on the field. His dual role sees him overseeing Beestera’s operations in New York while also working closely with Cloud FC, a non-profit dedicated to mentoring youth through soccer.

Cloud FC’s mission is clear: "We focus on building a community and helping youth through soccer, while mentoring them through the struggles of life." This was evident as the team arrived at St. Mary’s Park in the Bronx, where Drew was leading a training session with a group of young players from Cloud FC.

James had the opportunity to observe the session, witnessing the impactful work being done by Drew and the Cloud FC coaches. After an hour of focused training, the players took to the field for a game, and James couldn't resist jumping in to play alongside them.

Reflecting on the experience, James said, “If you’d have told me back when I was living in England that I’d be playing soccer in the Bronx, I wouldn’t have believed you. But being here, seeing the incredible work Drew and Cloud FC are doing to support these kids, it’s a reminder of the power of soccer to bring people together and make a difference.”

The experience was more than just about soccer; it was about fostering leadership, resilience, and community spirit through the game. With the support of Beestera, Drew and Cloud FC are making a meaningful impact on the lives of young players in the Bronx, providing them with not only skills on the field but also mentorship and guidance off it.

This is just the beginning for Beestera’s work in New York City, and there are exciting plans ahead. As Beestera continues to expand, the focus remains on creating opportunities for players to grow in all aspects of life - both on and off the field.

Stay tuned for upcoming videos and content from our time in NYC, including interviews with Drew, ball mastery drills, and more insights into Beestera’s mission to create environments that develop great players and better people.