Region I Director's Volunteer of the Year Award

US Youth Soccer Awards

US Youth Soccer presents its awards at the Award Gala that will be held during the US Youth Soccer Workshop each year.  Region I will also choose a recipient for each of the awards and the Region I winner will become a candidate for the US Youth Soccer award.  To submit a candidate for any of these awards, the completed nomination form must be received in the Region I Office by the published deadline date each year.

2007 Region I Award Winners

US Youth Soccer Region I adidas Coach of the Year – Boys Competitive
Michael Elster, from Sutton, MA, coaches for the Sutton Youth Soccer Club. Elster puts a lot of time and effort into his practices. He reviews previously taught skills at the beginning of practice before moving onto new drills. Elster challenges and motivates his players to learn and play the game. Also, Elster organized a large tournament to raise money for a young girl to receive important medical care. The event was very successful. Elster has taken the time to improve his coaching by obtaining his license and attending workshops.

US Youth Soccer Region I adidas Coach of the Year – Girls Competitive
John P. Dawyot, from Landenberg, PA, coaches for Wilmington United in the Delaware Youth Soccer Association. Dawyot believes in good sportsmanship and therefore negative remarks from players or parents are not permitted. His team comes to practice excited and ready to play. He encourages his players to experience different sports and teams and has several players who have made the US Youth Soccer ODP. He works with his players that may not be playing to their full potential and strives to make sure that all players gain confidence and perfect their skills.

US Youth Soccer Region I adidas Coach of the Year – Boys Recreation
Oscar Rodriguez, from Newark, NJ, has coached for 12 years. In 1996, he helped establish the Just One League, an inner city soccer program. Not only does the program give his players an opportunity to play, but Rodriguez also encourages the participants to contribute to the program when they have completed it. Former players return as coaches, referees and administrators. Rodriguez also arranges coaching and referee education programs for volunteer parents and coaches. He believes in the organization’s philosophy that just one person can make a difference. Today the program has nearly 500 children involved.

US Youth Soccer Region I adidas Coach of the Year – Girls Recreation
Mark Bragaw, from Vienna, VA, coaches for the Vienna Youth Soccer. Bragaw encourages good behavior and strong teamwork. He provides specific examples of positive sportsmanship for his young players. His practices are structured yet fun to encourage ongoing player development and bring out their full potential. The primary goal is represented by his first question after every game, “Who had fun today?” Even with this playful attitude, each girl learns the skills and tactics that they need to be successful. His players continue to return season after season and more continue to sign on to be part of his team.

US Youth Soccer Region I Administrator of the Year
Addie Mattei-laia - Eastern New York

US Youth Soccer Region I  Volunteer of the Year
Roberta L. Rickert - Connecticut

US Youth Soccer Region I Young Referee of the Year-Male
Geoff L. Halberstadt - Eastern Pennsylvania

US Youth Soccer Region I Young Referee of the Year-Female
Cassandra Ferrari - Virginia

 

Return to US Youth Soccer Region I Home Page

This page last modified on February 08, 2008
 © 2008 US Youth Soccer Region I