Coach/Volunteer/Administrator of the Year

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 MASS YOUTH SOCCER

ADMINISTRATOR, VOLUNTEER, COACH, TOPSoccer BUDDY AND YOUNG REFEREE OF THE YEAR
WHO IMPROVES THE GAME IN YOUR LIFE?
Every year in conjunction with U.S. Youth Soccer, Mass Youth Soccer accepts nominations for various Awards for those individuals who give their time and energy to make the sport better for all involved.  Each year the recipients of the Awards are chosen by a committee of Mass Youth Board Members. Each year we look at the nominees’ experience, teaching ability, and self-improvement, as well as what they bring to the game as described by those who nominate them. 

The Administrator of the Year Award honors the extraordinary accomplishments in administration of youth soccer programs at any and all levels over a career. The national Administrator of the Year is announced at the US Youth Soccer Awards Gala, as a part of the US Youth Soccer Workshop.

To nominate an individual for Administrator of the Year,  CLICK HERE.

The Volunteer of the Year Award honors those who are excellent role models for their community. Willingness to promote players and the game of soccer, sound moral and ethical character and increasing the opportunities to participate in soccer are all characteristics of nominees for the Volunteer of the Year award. The national Volunteer of the Year is announced at the US Youth Soccer Awards Gala, as a part of the US Youth Soccer Workshop.

To nominate an individual for Volunteer of the Year,  CLICK HERE.

The Competitive Coach of the Year is awarded to a competitive coach for both a boys' team and a girls' team for his or her coaching activities, sportsmanship, player development, personal coaching development and citizenship. The national Boys and Girls Competitive Coaches of the Year is announced at the US Youth Soccer Awards Gala, as a part of the US Youth Soccer Workshop.

To nominate an individual for Boys' Competitive Coach of the Year or Girls' Competitive Coach of the Year,  CLICK HERE. 
The Young Referees of the Year are awarded for their dedication to the game, their outstanding personal accomplishments, serving as role models to other youth referees and players, and for their excellence as recognized by their adult referee peers and mentors.
Through the Young Referee of the Year program, US Youth Soccer helps foster the development of referees for the future of soccer in the United States.  The national Male and Female Young Referees of the Year is announced at the US Youth Soccer Awards Gala, as a part of the US Youth Soccer Workshop.
 
To nominate a young individual for Young Referee of the Year, CLICK HERE.
 
The TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year Award is given to an individual for his or her extraordinary accomplishments as a TOPSoccer Buddy and who has demonstrated patience, understanding, dependability, compassion and who has proven to be an invaluable volunteer to the US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Program by filling many roles including coach, role model, cheerleader and by assisting with administrative responsibilities.

To nominate an individual for TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year, CLICK HERE.

SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATIONS BY EMAILING THE US YOUTH SOCCER NOMINATION FORM TO MASS YOUTH SOCCER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MIKE SINGLETON, AT MSingleton@MAYouthSoccer.org

2010 MASS YOUTH SOCCER AWARDS RECIPIENTS
Volunteer of the Year: Leslie Scafidi  Leslie hails from Stow, Massachusetts where she has been a Coach and an Assistant Coach for many years. As a former collegiate player, Leslie brings a wealth of knowledge to her coaching. She has coached children from U6 to her present position as a U12 Coach. Leslie also uses her experience in the game, to serve as a mentor and teacher for other coaches in town. She always serves as an example of the commitment and dedication we hope every coach will bring to our teams. As a colleague points out “Leslie is outstanding as a coach, instructor, leader and person. She is well liked, positive and the most effervescent person with whom I have ever worked.” Beyond her coaching and her involvement with players, teams and coaches on a daily basis, Leslie is a tireless organizer and fundraiser throughout her community. Whether it’s a Halloween fundraising event or volunteering as a team administrator or snack stand manager, Leslie is always willing to lend a hand. Congratulations to Leslie and her family and thank you for being a constant reminder of the joy our commitment and dedication can bring to our kids. 
Administrator of the Year: Edwin Ryan
The 2010 Administrator of the Year has been involved in youth soccer for nearly a generation. Ed Ryan has been on the Board of Directors of Peabody Youth Soccer for more than 20 years and has worn many administrative hats. He has been the Intramural Program scheduler as well as the Field Director for the PYSA Fall Invitational Tournament. Ed’s involvement extends to coaching. He has earned his USSF “D” License and has coached in Peabody, for New England Aztecs and for the Mass Youth Soccer District Select Program. He has served as Administrator for numerous PYSA teams as well as the Aztecs and served as District 5 Boys Administrator for the District Select Program. Ed is highly organized, knows the game and has always displayed the utmost sense of commitment to each program, club, team and player with whom he has been associated. In the words of a fellow PYSA Board Member “Ed has served the youth of our community and the game of soccer in an entirely unselfish manner and is completely deserving of this award.” We extend our congratulations and thanks to Ed and to his family. Thank you for serving as an example of dedication to the sport and to the kids who play it.
TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year: Ed Celli
Ed coached his own children through Wilmington Youth Soccer programs. When his children grew to high school age and beyond, Ed was not ready to retire from coaching. He learned about the U.S. Youth Soccer Program called “TOPSoccer” and immediately went about establishing such a program in the Wilmington area. After 15 years of hard work and devotion, the TOPSoccer Program Ed started boasts 93 players from 21 different communities. As a result of his dedication and commitment, Ed has been instrumental in starting a many new TOPSoccer Programs in Massachusetts. Ed is a perfect example of a TOPSoccer “Buddy”. He goes the extra mile to provide the opportunities and family experience youth soccer provides and is truly dedicated to the principle that soccer is the “Game for ALL Kids”. We congratulate Ed and, on behalf of all the players and families he has reached, we thank him for his continued compassion and hard work. To learn more about the U.S. Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Program, CLICK HERE.
Competitive Girls Coach of the Year: Chris Hamblin
Chris Hamblin grew up in the game of soccer. He came to play college soccer at Boston College where he enjoyed a career that garnered him numerous accolades including an election as a 1st team All-American. Upon his college graduation, Chris joined the B.C. Eagles Women’s Soccer Program as an Assistant Coach and was soon elevated to Associate Head Coach. As an Assistant Coach for the Boston Breakers this past season, Chris helped steer the team to a 2nd place WPS finish. Breakers Head Coach Tony DiCicco says of Chris, “His players know that he cares about their development as a player, but more importantly, their development as people. He is genuine, trusting and always quick with a smile. Chris is now the Girls’ Director of Coaching for New England Football Club and the Head Coach of both its U14 and its U16 Girls’ teams. He has earned both the respect and the admiration of all of his players. The Captains of his U16 team have said Chris “…pushes us to reach our fullest potential. He has taught us not only about soccer, but also important lessons about life and helps guide us to our goals.” We at Mass Youth Soccer are proud to count Chris amongst our own as he is serves as Goalkeeper Coach for our Olympic Development Program as well as for Region 1 ODP. We extend our congratulations to Chris and thank him for all of his service to his players and to the game of soccer.
Boys Competitive Coach of the Year: John (Chris) Martinez
Chris brings 14 years of coaching experience to Groton-Dunstable Youth Soccer Club. As the Director of Training for GDYSC, Chris has organized and coordinated countless Coaching License Courses through Mass Youth Soccer and his enthusiasm and positive example have encouraged dozens of GDYSC Coaches to seek formal training and education as coaches. Chris has coached both boys and girls teams from U6 through high school years including his own children. He has the ability to work with and teach both boys and girls of all ages and levels of ability. He emphasizes playing soccer for the joy of the game and encourages all of his players to enjoy competing as a member of a team. Chris has organized “pick-up” games during the summer and truly understands that playing the game in an unstructured environment is often the best teacher of the game. His training sessions are well organized, thoughtful and focused. It is obvious to his players and to those who watch him coach, that Chris is a dedicated coach and committed wholehearted to the development of his players. Congratulations to Chris and to his family, and hopes for a long successful career in our great game!