Goal Lines Magazine - Issue 22 - December 2017

OREGON YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION’S MONTHLY MAGAZINE

ISSUE #22

GOAL LINES YOU PICK THE WINNERS! On January 13th, 2018 we’re giving away some fantastic awards to members of Oregon Youth Soccer to people that you nominated and here’s the best part…YOU get to help decide who wins, in multiple categories, and who will be presented with an award at our Annual General Meeting next month!

REGISTER NOW!

Workshops & Presentations: Jan 13th, 9am - 5:30pm Awards Gala: 12:15pm - 2:15pm Annual Business Mtg and AGM: 5:30pm

ALAN BLACK We are extremely excited to welcome Alan Black to our Annual General Mtg and workshops to give 5 hours of instruction to our top referees in the State.

Alan’s resume speaks for itself and we consider ourselves very lucky to have someone instructing our referees who has such a vast knowledge of the game.

Alan’s bio: In 2002 refereed first Irish Premier League game as a 26 year-old and was 11 years as a professional referee.

Appointed to the FIFA list as a referee in 2007 and in 6 years refereed in the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, ‘A’ internationals, under age level internationals (U17,19, 21) 2 UEFA finals tournaments (2007 U17 in Belgium and 2010 U19 in France). Over 6 years as a FIFA referee, officiated in 60 games in nearly 40 countries, including as a referee at the World Student Games Tournament in Belgrade in 2009. In 2010 was selected as one of only 12 referees in Europe to be part of the UEFA Talent and Mentor Development Program (2year program). Retired from active refereeing in 2013 aged 38. Within one year was selected to become an elite Irish FA Premier League Assessor and became referee coach for two FIFA referees. Since arriving in the U.S. in 2015, I now work as a Cal South State Instructor, one of the new USSF National Referee Coaches for 2017 and recently appointed as PRO Match Official Regional Development Assistant in addition to duties as an MLS Assessor.

Make your vote count by voting for one of the OYSA members in each category in the following pages‌

HOW DOES THE VOTING WORK? IT’S AS SIMPLE AS 1, 2, 3…

4, 5!

STEP ONE: Go ahead and read through the nominations as they appear. Each is divided into their own category and are listed in the order they were received.

STEP TWO: Click on the VOTE NOW button at the bottom of the page.

This will take you to the form for that category.

STEP THREE: Vote for the bio that you feel should win.

STEP FOUR: Come back and vote for other categories.

STEP FIVE: TELL EVERYONE ABOUT IT!! The more votes you get, the better chance you have of winning!

——————— SUBMISSIONS: all entries contained here in Goal Lines are exact copies of the submission that we received. Entries were required to be a minimum of 200 words. Punctuation may have been edited. NonOYSA member submissions were deleted.

FINE PRINT: your vote can only be cast once (captured by IP address) so be sure to select the the correct entry first time. You do not have to vote for each category if you choose not to. The ‘winner’ from the Goal Lines votes will count as a vote toward overall recognition along with the OYSA Selection Committee. Winners will be contacted prior to AGM. Voting ends December 15th, 2017 at 11:59pm. In the event of multiple nominations for the same person, we used the first entry submitted chronologically.

VOTING CATEGORY:

ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR

ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR:

CHRIS HANEFELD Club/Org: Eastside Timbers Submitted by: Gaff Leyland ———————— Despite only having the privilege of working with Chris for close on 2 years I feel that her contributions over a decade to our club and our soccer community need to be recognized.

Chris is an integral part of Eastside Timbers and before it Eastside United. She is part of the fabric of the club and has been loyal throughout her time serving under several DOC's including Gavin Wilkinson. She has an incredible bond with our membership and coaches with an encyclopedic knowledge of all our players and club history. She was beyond invaluable for me as a new DOC with no knowledge of our club when I came on board.

She was kind and extremely patient haha Chris has been heavily involved with community outreach programs such as club jamborees and parades in the East County, started the wreath sales for players to gain funds for their account, organized the annual club auction and overseen the Food For Funds Program at Providence Park for families to earn money towards player fees. This is to name but a few of her spheres of influence.

Her daughter played for the club for many years and is now an Asst Coach. Her whole family are Eastside through and through. They have been very understanding when Chris has gone above and beyond to give her personal time to our club! She has frequently helped coaches and families outside of business hours during evenings and weekends when they have had an issue or emergency.

She never has nor ever would seek any kind of adulation and praise for her work. She would probably kill me if she knew I was nominating her, but she truly deserves this type of recognition in my opinion and that of our club leadership and coaching staff.

Thank you for your kind consideration of Chris for this award!

VOTING CATEGORY:

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR:

RENE GONZALEZ Club/Org: NEU*PDX Submitted by: Brandon McNeil ———————— Rene's vision, execution and voice for change is unprecedented in our soccer community.

After serving as the Oregon Adult Soccer Association President he moved to Vice President and now the President of Northeast United Soccer Club's Board. Rene's energy to positively impact our soccer community is contagious.

Under Rene's leadership NEU*PDX has doubled it's number of Competitive Teams, Expanded into the High School Ages, have the largest recreational program in Portland. A non-profit that last year gave away over 100K in financial aid / scholarships. Rene's passion centers around the role soccer clubs play in positively shaping the future of youth sports in our community across Oregon. His voice for change / alternatives pertaining to leagues, cups and individual player programs has been central in crafting a brighter future for youth soccer clubs.

Within NEU*PDX Rene has been central in implementing yearly survey's of our membership to give families a voice. These survey results shape our full service soccer club to continue to fulfill our mission of soccer being a vehicle to teach life lessons. Endless conference calls, executive committee calls, strategic planning, board development and execution of partnership deals are just a few of the areas Rene volunteers his time / energy.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR:

VICTOR PRUDHOMME Club/Org: North Clackamas Soccer Club Submitted by: Antonio Johnson ———————— Victor is one of those volunteers in the community that often goes under-appreciated, even though he's appreciated by those who recognized.

A long standing President of North Clackamas SC, he continues to fill multiple board positions for years, as he has for the past decade. Always there for the kids in the club and community, he also has coached for the past decade as well.

The time he puts into coaching, camps, helping other coaches, the board...it's endless.

As a fellow volunteer who has coached over 50 teams in the last decade myself in 5 sports for my three children....and as a board member for our local Little League for the past 7 years.....I commend people like Victor in our community.

Simply put his contributions are priceless and I think he deserves recognition!

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR:

SHANNON McARTHUR Club/Org: Clackamas United Submitted by: Rick Boyer ———————— I am a parent and a soccer coach of 2 girls in competitive soccer. Shannon is the team manager for my older daughter and has been for several years. She is now the team manager for our girls U13 classic team.

Shannon has always been a thoughtful and caring manager and friend of each team she has been charged with looking after. Shannon has been pivotal this year in helping to enhance our coaching situation in a turbulent year. As with any new situation, we came in to this year with high hopes from our new coach. Our new coach came into a successful team and tried to re-invent the wheel with very poor results.

The girls were losing and the fun of playing soccer was lost. With Shannon's leadership and a parental rebellion, the coaching situation was rectified and the new coach was basically relieved from our team. The coaching situation was then coaching by committee until a great coach stepped up to take the lead.

This wouldn't have happened without Shannon's caring for our girls and her diligence towards their success. Our team is now the U13 girls Founders Cup champions and haven't lost a game since the latest coaching change.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR:

KRISTEN HODGSON Club/Org: Capitol FC Timbers Submitted by: William Barth ———————— Kristen Hodgson is the manager of my son's CFC Timbers (Soboll) U16 soccer team.

Kristen is fantastic at keeping the parents informed with timely communication and clear instructions.

Kristen keeps us informed of practice times, changes to the schedule, changes to locations, tournament details, and everything we need to know to stay informed and have our players in the right location at the right time.

Kristen has coordinated extra events for the team, like watching the Timbers U23 team play in Salem.

Kristen printed the team roster on "pocket-sized" sheets of paper, so that the parents could cheer for the players by name. Kristen keeps us informed about related soccer events, such as parent meetings and team outings. With so many activities in our lives to keep straight, it has been wonderful to rely on Kristen's clear and helpful communication.

When the team played at the summer tournaments, Kristen would update us on the schedule as soon as it became available, so that we had time to plan how we would spend the time in between games, either staying close by if the next game was soon or knowing if we could take a longer break in between games. Kristen's information was 100% accurate.

We could always rely on her accurate and friendly communication. Kristen helped keep our group on the same page and I appreciate greatly her efforts in these days of busy schedules. I am very grateful for the volunteer work that Kristen has performed as the team manager.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR:

THOMAS HURST Club/Org: Central Coast Soccer Association Submitted by: Tina Watanabe ———————— I would like to nominate Tom Hurst for Volunteer of the Year.

Tom is the president of our local soccer club and active member of our community. He is tireless, always at games and practices of various age groups, doing whatever needs to be done whether he is coaching, prepping fields, refereeing, cleaning up, and/or organizing all the teams, games, tournaments and schedules. He deals with parents of children between ages of 4 to 14, which can be harder than managing the kids sometimes!

He is positive, kind and patient. We are fortunate to have such an amazing leader and so appreciative of all he does for youth soccer in our town. This is a solid program that continues to thrive and grow because of Tom and quality volunteers under his guidance.

Tom and his family are also advocates for hosting UK soccer camp coaches and host a bbq with fresh caught local tuna each summer for the travelers and the families who host them.

Our boys high school soccer team has won the State Championship 2 years in a row and I believe volunteers like Tom help to build programs that keep kids interested in soccer even after they are no longer in Youth Soccer. This type of enthusiasm and commitment is about more than just soccer. It is about building community.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR:

EMILY BJELLAND Club/Org: Eastside Timbers Submitted by: Carly Copplestone ———————— Since joining our club, Emily has exceeded expectation.

She took on the fundraising role which has not only raised money for the club but also brought the club together. Her ideas to raise money has reach out to our community and made a huge difference. Emily has found new ways not only purchasing items so players and the club can raise money but she organized a casino night.

The casino night was a massive hit which brought our soccer community together. We had parents and friends from recreational and competitive programs attend this night. This was important as many do not get to interact and build relationships being in two different programs. It made the club as one. It was so successful we are doing another one in March which Emily is taking charge of again.

Nothing is ever to much and other volunteers aspire to be like Emily. She allows us to use her house for meetings and other events. She is always the first to say she will help with jobs and these range from: Inventorying equipment, doing walk in registration and donating neuromas things to help make our club better. For our Jamboree she brought snakes and drinks for every kid. We had 1200 kids there!

I do not know what our club would do without Emily. The finances raised through fundraising has helped finance players who can not afford to play soccer. With Emily's efforts a lot more kids are able to play. We need more Emily's!

VOTING CATEGORY:

TOPSoccer BUDDY OF THE YEAR

TOPSoccer BUDDY OF THE YEAR:

SOPHIE HANEFELD Club/Org: Eastside Timbers Submitted by: Sue Hughes ———————— With the way TOPSoccer is organized, Directors like myself who run the program, rely heavily on experienced and intuitive buddies who will step up to the task by taking the most challenging players registered. Sophie Hanefeld is that Buddy for me.

Going on eight years, Sophie has volunteered for my TOPSoccer program through Eastside Timbers. For years, she was paired up with a really sweet, mild-mannered player. And like many of my top buddies that stay with me, after a few years I know I can give them more challenges.

Three years ago, I had a new autistic player enroll with a lot of challenges. And yes, I gave Sophie, Gabe. He hit her, called her names, hardly ever made it through the entire session, and for many sessions couldn't be on the pitch without his mom by his side too. And yes, understandably at first, Sophie was overwhelmed and out of her comfort zone. She was only a Junior in high school. I too started doubting the way I ran my program thinking it’s too much change, interaction — everything, for some players.

As time and consistencies developed, Gabe was able to be on the pitch without his mom. He would ask for Sophie when he came to TOPSoccer. He stopped throwing uncontrollable fits. Slowly he started interacting with other players. Last season he sat on Sophie’s lap which was by his mom’s interpretation, is an action saved only for family. Fast forward to now. It’s almost unimaginable the progress Gabe has made in the program. Sophie is still with me, even though she's in college and working. And Gabe is still her player! Together they are my success story. Gabe would not be in my program if it wasn’t for Sophie’s persistence and patience. I know Gabe will never not have bad days, but the good days far outweigh the bad days and I give Sophie all the credit.

TOPSoccer BUDDY OF THE YEAR:

SARA KLOTT Club/Org: Rogue Valley Timbers Submitted by: Dave Potter ———————— Sara Klott has served with total dedication as a TOPSoccer buddy for four years in our Medford program. During this time she has given generously and worked endlessly to help provide the most ideal program possible for our players.

In addition to being a buddy, Sara recruits all of our buddies for each of our players to work with. She knows very well what kind of person qualifies for the role buddies play, and does an excellent job of communicating and modeling the skills of being a buddy. She is always ready willing and able to spend extra time getting whatever we need for the kids. She is always the first to arrive and the last to leave.

Most special of all is Sara's affect on the players she works with. From the moment they walk in, they are given the attention they deserve and are taken under her wing for the night. Two of the most common scenes each night are seeing Sara's players participating with huge smiles on their faces and them giving her a hug before they leave.

We will get one more spring season with Sara before she heads off to college. will miss her dearly, and hope that she can leave with the honor of being recognized as OYSA TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year honors.

We

VOTING CATEGORY:

TOPSoccer COACH OF THE YEAR

TOPSoccer COACH OF THE YEAR:

JOSLYNN BIGELOW Club/Org: Eastside Timbers Submitted by: Sue Hughes ———————— As you may or may not know, I started the TOPSoccer program in 2007 with EastSide United FC. Like any program just starting out it was challenging and scary.

Joslynn Bigelow has been with me since I formed the program. She came to me as a confident middle-school student who had experience dealing with special needs kids because a family member has intellectual and behavioral challenges. All through high school and college, Joslynn juggled soccer, school and volunteering for TOPSoccer. In 2016, Joslynn took over the reigns as Coach.

She was ready and had the enthusiasm of a toddler.

Today, Joslynn is in her last year of college and graduating in the Spring with a degree in secondary education. Also, a few months back, she took a job as a Behavioral Therapist, because of a referral and encouragement from a TOPS parent. Do you think she’s on track to teach Special Education? There is no doubt in my mind that TOPSoccer has molded Joslynn’s life into what it is today. And, she is a huge win for my program. When she first started coaching Joslynn’s learned from me — but now I’m learning from her.

Every week Joslynn brings lesson plans for both Honey Bears and Grizzly Bears. Remember, these are entirely different levels of players and completing different thought processes of coaching.

We just ended our Fall session and on our last night Joslynn had our lower-functioning players, numbering over 25 (plus buddies) scrimmaging. She had the vision early on and developed her lesson plans for an all inclusive, successful scrimmage. I was so proud of our players. But honestly it was because of how Joslynn slowly and methodically introduced different “games” into each week’s lesson plans that made a successful end-of-season experience.

Our Grizzly Bears attendance has exploded to 20+ players. Joslynn can keep them all engaged, on point and loving their time on the pitch. She has these players so confident about their soccer skills and themselves. Her work experience really has changed the way she handles herself on the pitch too. She’s always been a confident young lady, but now she has invaluable training to go with her persona.

As the Director of the program, I had to nominate her again for Coach of the Year. She puts so much time and energy into the program and she is a shining example of how TOPSoccer can and does impact others.

TOPSoccer COACH OF THE YEAR:

KRISTIN & MARK PARKS Club/Org: Umpqua United Soccer Club Submitted by: Kimber Nutter ———————— I would like to nominate both Matt and Kristin Parks for coach of the year. This husband and wife team coached both our boys and girls competitive U18 teams last spring. They provide excellent physical and technical skills training. They epitomize the words "motivational encouragement".

Our players know they are being coached while at the same time they are receiving encouragement. Matt and Kristen have been catalyst for our boys and girls club competitive teams to be a support to one another that carried through to our fall varsity season. They've initiated unity within our soccer community.

They have poured as much into our kids off the field as they did on the field. They are "soccer parents" to all of our kids. They are as invested in the success of both teams in the fall varsity season when they are in the role of parent and fan. They bring a sense of community to our kids on the field and to us parents when we're with them in the stands.

Roseburg is incredibly fortunate to have the dedication of both Matt and Kristin Parks. Our kids have greatly benefited from the leadership provided by them. Their hard work and huge sacrifices of time are greatly noticed and appreciated.

VOTING CATEGORY:

BOYS COMPETITIVE COACH OF THE YEAR

BOYS COMPETITIVE COACH OF THE YEAR:

JOSH KERLEY Club/Org: Aloha United Soccer Club Submitted by: Carolyn Bostic (also nominated by Angela Wilson and Roxie Ehrmann) ———————— Coach Kerley is the kind of coach that most kids and parents pray for. He not only shines on the soccer field, but more importantly, off of it. He has incredible knowledge of the game, which he passes on to the players through fun and challenging games and drills. He is always encouraging the boys to bring their best, be open to trying new techniques and strategies, and remain positive for themselves and their teammates, no matter the outcome of any game. I am sure the same thing could be said about many soccer coaches throughout the state. What really sets coach Kerley apart is the influence and examples that he displays to the boys off of the field. He is a true leader and sportsman. Josh will do anything within his power to help out each and every player on the team. He will let parents drop players off at his house early on a weekend morning to ensure that the kids can be at a game. His entire family supports his flexibility and are always warm and welcoming. Even after a long, hard practice in pouring rain, he will stay with the last child until their parent arrives.

If they don't have a ride home, he will go out of his way to take them home himself. On any give game day, you can bet coach Kerley's car will be at or near seating capacity! If an athlete is a multi-sport athlete, Josh is very understanding of the need for, and the benefit of, balance. He not only tolerates, but encourages the boys to play other sports as well. He understands the importance of developing the whole child, not just a soccer players. Although he is fiercely competitive, a win will never come at the price of a player or poor sportsmanship. If he notices the player on our team that has diabetes isn't looking well, he will pull him from the game to check his insulin level, which Josh has learned to do in case the parents cannot be at a game. If a boy needs to miss a game because of family responsibilities or other commitments, he does not punish them with lost playing time in future games, etc. as I know some competitive coaches would. Every boy on the team has seen and benefited from these examples of kindness, and sportsmanship that Kerley has shown them. I am really nominating Josh Kerley for competitive boys coach of the year for Oregon, not just because his is a phenomenal coach, but because he is a phenomal person!

BOYS COMPETITIVE COACH OF THE YEAR:

ERIK MILLER Club/Org: NEU*PDX Submitted by: Brandon McNeil ———————— Erik's dedication to the North East Soccer community is unmatched! He is the Age Group Head Coach for our 2005, 2001 & 2002 Boys along with leading Grant High School Boys Soccer. In the Fall Erik also oversees our Mighty Mites Program (4, 5 & 6 year olds) over 100 brand new aspiring soccer players each Saturday morning. He coordinates the high school players to volunteer coach these brand new players to our club.

The enjoyment level and fun had by all is largely due to Erik's organization and leadership. As the Age Group Head Coach for the 2005 boys, Erik oversaw the development and ultimately the graduation of 5 players into the US Soccer Development Academy. The 2001 & 2002 boys age groups contain many players from across the city from tough socio economic families. To organize and keep these players engaged with the game through the high school ages is no small feat.

Along with Erik's coaching responsibilities he also oversees the recreational teams uniforms, gear distribution, volunteer coaching education, practice field scheduling and gear collection of over 1,200 players along with nearly 300 volunteers. Not to mention leading one of the top high school boys soccer programs in the state. JV2 and JV Teams traditionally go undefeated, while the Varsity lost in the SemiFinals of the OSAA 6A Boys State Tournament to eventual champions Westview.

Erik is deeply rooted in the North East Soccer Community and vitally impacts every level of our club!

BOYS COMPETITIVE COACH OF THE YEAR:

MICHAEL WANNEL Club/Org: Lincoln Youth Soccer Submitted by: Darren Alexander ———————— Great leader, amazing player development leading team to near undefeated season. All season long, he balanced technical, cardio, positional training while maintaining positive attitude and never over did time or emotional commitment.

Showed keen understanding that some players had other life goals, academic commitments and would allow then space to meet those needs also. Had boys looking forward to their next practice or match consistently, respected by all players and parents alike.

Michael has a true love for the game, sharing and building this with everyone on the team. Excellent, calm communication style built respect among players and never invokes too much fear or retribution if performance goals not attained. Has become a major force in drawing players from other clubs due these personal attributes and especially important given it is a relatively new club in the region.

I personally have had boys play for three different local clubs and his attitude has never been seen among other coaches previously over many years. Somehow gets away from the hyper competitive attitude, screaming at players to try and garner improved performance with a calm, confident style.

Can’t really say enough about these personal attributes that are so uncommon among today’s overly competitive and intimidating youth coaches

BOYS COMPETITIVE COACH OF THE YEAR:

MONICA VASQUEZ Club/Org: Hillsboro Soccer Club Submitted by: Eder Cazares ———————— Coach Monica has done great things not only for the boys team but for the club she represents. She helped with breast cancer awareness in the month of October.

By having the boys wear a pink jersey and dying their hair pink. The boys had a blast with that and really embraced what they were doing. Nothing like this had been done at the Hillsboro Soccer Club before, so it was something new for the club as well. The boys wore the jersey for all the home games during the month of October. The parents really appreciated that gesture cause that help them get more involved as well.

The work she puts into it and expects nothing in return is what makes her so special. All the little things that people over look is what she tries to make sure the boys don’t do. I know that coach Monica always plays by the rules and endures some rudeness from other coaches but that never shies away from the challenge. That is why I admire her the most as a coach, the fact that she deals with all that and yet makes sure she shows how to be classy in front of the boys is what is amazing.

Those are some of thing that make her great and why I nominate her for boys competitive soccer coach of the year.

BOYS COMPETITIVE COACH OF THE YEAR:

ZAYN KHAN Club/Org: Corvallis Soccer Club Submitted by: Robert Vingelen ———————— Zayn took over a team that struggled, who also lost 3 of their best players, and coached them up so well they somehow won the Presidents Cup. Every single child improved beyond comprehension, and he had them gelling both on and off the field and gave everyone equal playing time in the process, he does it right!

This group of 04 Boys has had 7 coaches come and go in the last 3 years, most moving on to larger clubs and roles. Zayn deserves to be nominated and awarded Coach of the Year. I have been around youth soccer as a player, coach, referee, and father for 35 years.

Zayn is a miracle worker and every parent on the team witnessed this first hand as Fall league progressed moving into Presidents Cup. He moves kids around, treats them with respect, gets them to perform at 110%. He lets them make decisions during games, doest over coach, and sees the big picture. The kids were encouraged to take risks and rewarded them when they were successful but also when they were unsuccessful. The kids played with confidence and love of the game, and played together. The team bought into a system and style of unselfish team soccer He took a group of scrappy kids with no real athletic gifts or physical attributes and made them champions. A ton of credit goes into his planned training sessions and dedication and commitment to our kids. He gets kids and gets soccer. We are blessed to have Coach Zayn and every parent on the team would agree wholeheartedly.

Zayn also coaches the 06B Storm team as well as splitting his time as an Assistant Coach to Steve Simmons and the Oregon State University Mens Soccer Team. Please consider nominating Zayn! We are also extremely pleased with Rube Peterson who took over as the Corvallis Soccer Club Executive Director and put together a comprehensive technical developmental plan for coaches to follow and offers support whenever needed. Between Rube and Coach ability to implement the curriculum, in just 5 months we have watched our boys evolve into legitimate soccer players on an actual soccer team, what a beautiful sport!

Zayn's

BOYS COMPETITIVE COACH OF THE YEAR:

CHAR QUINONES Club/Org: Keizer Soccer Club Submitted by: Laura Pemble ———————— Coach Char believes in hard work and expects it from his players. He pushes them by believing in them, encouraging them and teaching them the results of their hard work will pay off.

Char believes in soccer. He has encouraged my son to play school soccer, indoor soccer and city league soccer and has coached him in all 3!

My son goes to a small school that had no soccer team- char talked to the principal & school board, got approval to start a team and has coached it the past several years. He spends his money on treats for the kids, but mainly he gives of his hard pressed time everyday.

His passion for the sport is evident and contagious. He promotes team work and his goal is evident - for each player to become a more responsible person, a more confident person, a leader, someone who does not give up or let their friends down. My son is a better person because of all the time, energy and love Char has poured into him.

Char has never belittled or humiliated a player- two things I would not tolerate. My son adores him (even when Char makes him run an extra lap for forgetting his jersey or arriving late) - char deserves an award!

BOYS COMPETITIVE COACH OF THE YEAR:

LUKE BABSON Club/Org: Eastside Timbers Submitted by: Tammy Keegan ———————— Luke Babson is a fabulous coach and an amazing human being! In the last few years both of my boys have had the opportunity to be coached by him. Luke not only takes an interest in helping players improve their skills on the field he also has done a lot to help them build their characters and make goals for themselves. He wants to see the players succeed and helps them to find opportunities to keep playing after high school which often encourages them to get a higher education.

Eastside Timbers serves an area that has a large population of families with language difficulties, refugees with little resources and families with massive financial need. He goes out of his way to help those less fortunate so they can play a sport they love in a competitive environment they deserve to play in. He has given up much of his pay over the years and reached out to many of his friends and family to help the boys on his teams that want to play but do not have the funds to do so, even with a lesser fee because of financial aid. He's mentored many of these boys that may have chosen a path that was going to end bad and given them a motivating reason to stay out of trouble and pursue other opportunities. He invests in these boys and doesn't give up on them!

My son has torn his ACL twice, both times playing on Luke's team. Luke kept him involved, made him an honorary coach during his recoveries and never made him feel like they didn't need him there. While it was painful for my son to not be able to play, to be removed from the game and separated from the boys he played with for over six years would have made his injuries even more devastating. I will always be thankful that Luke wanted my son there and gave him opportunities he most likely wouldn't have had under another coach. Luke was also there the day my son signed with Corban University, a day we never thought we'd see after he tore his ACL a second time.

Luke looks for opportunities for his boys and helps to teach them on and off the field. He deserves to be recognized for his efforts and the difference he makes in these boys lives!

BOYS COMPETITIVE COACH OF THE YEAR:

DAVID SIMONS Club/Org: Pacific FC Submitted by: Angela Simons (also by Dawnese, Kylie, & Colton Sahota, Sabrina Wilson, and Christina Urbach) ———————— David has been coaching his current team for 5 years now, and plans to stay with them until they all graduate, which is another 4-5 years from now.

For David, the real test has always been to teach the boys the importance of how to play soccer the right way and the development their skills. This sometimes is at the sacrifice of winning games, as in order to learn, you have to implement this in the game and it will take time. (example: Playing from the back, dropping to keeper, maintaining possession vs boot ball) David is very passionate about finding the "underdogs". Players that were turned away from other clubs due to being "too short, too slow, not enough funds for advanced level, etc.." He believes any player with the passion and drive can overcome these so called "obstacles". Pele is an example he uses all the time, he was told he was too short and too slow.

He is undeniably one of the greats. As for funds, no one should be turned away because of their lack of funds. Although Pacific FC is one of the lowest costs, due to all the coaching staff volunteering and not paid, some find it still difficult to pay. David has created several fundraisers within the team to raise funds for these players. He also donates his own time and funds toward these players and to the team. All he asks is for the player to show his passion, dedication to the team and put in the work.

Another aspect David has been making important to the boys is school and looking at the future. He is a coach on and off the field. David is working with the boys to keep their grades up, report card competitions (best grades AND improvement), has been involved with school counselors with his players if they have had issues at school, etc.. David is also working with his group to start creating a college portfolio. This includes keeping track of volunteer (he also arranges several volunteer opportunities for the soccer group), applying for scholarships (he has a team page with updated scholarships they can apply for now), etc.

David is a coach on and off the field who cares very deeply about the success of all his players to not only teach them advanced level soccer, but to also to give them opportunities off the field to shape them into young men for the future.

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BOYS COMPETITIVE COACH OF THE YEAR:

BRYN DENNEHY Club/Org: Eugene Timbers Submitted by: Mark Stapleton ———————— Bryn is an exceptional leader and motivator who oversees the development of the Eugene Timbers 05 Marseille team, in addition to other coaching duties. Bryn is skilled and creative at motivating his group of players in both the practice and game setting. He develops each player as an individual as well as building the group of boys into a team. Bryn is able to very effectively balance fostering competition and a desire for success while appropriately recognizing his players age and level of development.

Bryn skillfully and calmly leads the boys to a high level of effort from the start of a game and challenges them to not be overcome by frustration when challenges occur. His attitude of 'you made a mistake, accept it and move on to the next play' is beneficial to the boys' development as young men.

Bryn is very dedicated to coaching these players. His attendance at practices and games throughout the season is exceptional. He is often seen running across the parking lot to get to his team on time as he is coming from another coaching assignment.

Bryn is also involved in soccer development beyond coaching his own teams. Between seasons his is the leader of our club's Winter Indoor Development program, offering his weekend time to develop player skills. This program is offered club (and community) wide for all children between the ages of eight and fifteen, not simply his own teams.

From the parent's perspective, Bryn's clear communication is also very appreciated. My child returns from practice with a definite understanding of successes, failures and goals going forward. I can depend on him to clearly communicate expectations to parents as well in terms of our positive sideline behavior.

Overall, Byrn is a professional coach who uses positive and appropriate correction to develop a very good of players. His 05 Marseille team concluded the Fall season in second place in the Premier league and now will be competing in the US Youth Soccer Far West Regional League. This is proof that he has led this team to an elite level and is an effective and accomplished coach.

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BOYS COMPETITIVE COACH OF THE YEAR:

RAFAEL OLVERA Club/Org: FC Santos Submitted by: Jenny Acosta ———————— Coach Rafael has always been patient and dedicated to his team.

He is always looking for ways to improve his team and is always available. When the kids have a tough game, the coach makes sure to always talk to his team and make sure they don't give up and encourages them with positive words. He is always respectful when it comes to opponents and makes sure his players are to.

The coach definitely practices what he preaches and the team follows even in tough games. The coach is always looking for ways for players to improve and is always encouraging each player to keep on trying.

This team has been together from U8. All original players and new ones have continued in this team and with coach Rafael. Which in my opinion says a lot about coach Rafael. All team players have continued to be in his team, although there is always opportunities to go elsewhere. My son began playing with this team in U9 and has truly enjoyed being part of this team.

My son truly enjoys being part of this team and I truly believe that the coach has a lot to do with it. Coach Rafael is truly an excellent coach and truly deserves to be nominated/be awarded. Thank you.

BOYS COMPETITIVE COACH OF THE YEAR:

HELADIO CRUZ Club/Org: David Douglas Soccer Club Submitted by: Jose Deza ———————— I believe Heladio deserves the Competitive coach of the year for how much he has accomplished in such a short time with his team.

He won league last season and was ranked 19th in the state of Oregon. This year his team made it to the Presidents Cup final. He is the fields and equipment manager for our club and also volunteer in anything when needed. He paints and sets up the fields for our Micro program and other levels for our club.

Heladio is a valued member of club committees to help improve our clubs procedures and programs. Heladio has been a head coach for Cherry Park Elementary Sun program for two years and I hear a lot of great complements about the great work he does for his team members.

He is a big reason why I volunteered for our club and why I became a coach at the Sun program at West Powell Hurst Elementary this Fall.

Heladio has been coordinating summer league for our club for the last two years given kids of all ages in opportunity to have a place in our club to play soccer almost all year. Heladio is a great person and cares a lot about everyone around him.

BOYS COMPETITIVE COACH OF THE YEAR:

JASON BELL Club/Org: Crossfire Oregon Submitted by: Mike Skates ———————— Jason has coached my son since he was 13 years old either as an assistant coach or the head coach of his team and now my son will be his final season of club soccer as a U18 player. He plays on 2000/99 Boys Crossfire Green 2.

My experience and my sons overall experience with Jason as his main coach throughout his club soccer career has been wonderful. Jason always gives so much to the teams that he coaches and he goes above and beyond to cater for the individual needs of his players. He has recently assisted my son to prepare for college applications and is regularly discussing the importance of academics with his players and trying to help them dream and achieve success once they leave and go off to college or whatever it is they are doing. I have been a team manager for Jason for a couple of those years and working with him has always been pleasant and he is very articulate and thorough with team management and player/parent communication.

Win, lose or draw he has gained the respect and trust of every single parent he works with. I often hear of other horror stories from parents on other teams or other clubs where they have conflicts with their coaches and there's often drama associated with some of these other competitive teams. We've had none of that with Jason. I could not have asked for a better club experience for my son, his close friends and his teammates.

One of the big reasons we've stayed with one club throughout my son's entire club career is because we've been lucky enough to have Jason end up coaching my sons team every year. This has always made our decision an easy one. Jason has managed to retain a very high number of his players over the years compared to what I see elsewhere, with kids often jumping around from club to club.

The great thing about having Jason as my sons coach is the fact that we don't have to force him to goto practice. He always wants to go. He's excited to goto practice even now still after having been coached by Jason for the past 4 season and this, his final season will be his 5th and last. I, along with many other parents on our team believe that Jason would be a very worthy of this recognition and a worthy recipient of this award on many different levels.

BOYS COMPETITIVE COACH OF THE YEAR:

HECTOR MACIAS Club/Org: 4H Submitted by: Claudia Davalos ———————— Héctor has been coaching youth soccer about 8 years.

He started with a small core of players of about 6 that are still with him today . From recreational to the competitive level, He stared from the bottom and this past OYSA Fall league finished first in the league. For many of those he has coached and managed his team. Coordinating carpools and fundraising for the team, because some of the kids.

He has coached come from lower income families. Héctor's devotion to this team has been great, and volunteered all of this time to coach and be a great role model these kids.

Through the years he has had little to no support from the city of Salem with fields to practice on and games where to play his games.

The 4H soccer Club has been had tremendous help in field and gym accommodations, Héctor has managed all this while raising a family and in the Fall coaching two teams. he has also coached at McKay High School for about 8 years, during this season his time was spent on the field running about seven practices a week and games during the week and weekend.

I nominate Hector Macias for his love, respect for our young soccer players.

BOYS COMPETITIVE COACH OF THE YEAR:

MATT FREISEN Club/Org: Portland City United Submitted by: Bill Kabeiseman ———————— Matt Freisen led the 2000 Boys PCU team to a state championship last year and took them to the finals again this year.

PCU is a good club, but does not win the state cup often; the difference in that team was Coach Matt. He preaches sportsmanship and the responsibility of the players on the field.

This is shown by the amount of yellow and red cards his team gets - it is consistently the lowest of any team in the leagues.

In addition to sportsmanship, his ability to develop players is equally as strong. He is consistently able to identify players who can perform better and inspire them to do the work necessary to get better. He encourages the love of the game in his players and gets the best out of his players.

As far as the coaching development, i'm not certain of the courses or activities he has taken to develop. All i know is that he is a very good coach.

In short, Matt took a team that had no business winning a state title and led them to the title. He was able inspire the kids to become better players and better people. He is what soccer coaches should be.

VOTING CATEGORY:

GIRLS COMPETITIVE COACH OF THE YEAR

GIRLS COMPETITIVE COACH OF THE YEAR:

CORY HAND Club/Org: Westside Timbers Submitted by: William Leavens ———————— Positive mentor, strong knowledge of development, young adults, competitive and inspiring to my daughter. Great advocate for her despite playing for another club. Year in and year out, I’ve watched how he interacts with the kids, parents, other coaches and referees. He is fair, he is tough, he demands, but demands ones personal best. In return, he gives his personal best. My daughter still strives to be her best because of his mentoring. I hope for her to play for him again sometime in her soccer playing career.

Finding a coach like this is once in a lifetime. I know this having played as a child to college. Please give consideration to Cory this year as coaches like this arefar few in between.

We want other coaches to follow his leadership and his love of spreading the love of the game of soccer. Many coaches are passionate about the game, but are not passionate or understand development, not only as a player, but as stewards in their community.

This means sportsmanship, honesty, self accountability, respect for others and self, and striving for personal best. At the end of each practice or games, they yell family. These are not just words, but how you feel being a part of that special community.

GIRLS COMPETITIVE COACH OF THE YEAR:

ANDREW FRAZIER Club/Org: NEU*PDX Submitted by: Brandon McNeil ———————— Andy's body of work is unprecedented.

Over the course of the last year Andy's teams (2005 & 2004) each reached the State Cup Finals. 9 of which have graduated into the National pathways of Elite Clubs National League or US Soccer Development Academy.

These are the easy to see successes of his coaching. The under appreciated and unseen by many is Andy's ability to see the potential in a player and bring the best out of them. Each of his teams have players on them who started the year on 2nd or 3rd teams and by the end of the year progress so much that they have moved up to the top team to play in a State Cup Final! He oversees 2 or 3 teams in each of his age groups and facilitates the movement of players across his teams within the year in order to challenge the players in different ways.

These additional opportunities are essential in growing the players internal belief and confidence, which is so important for the girls individual personal development. Players want to play hard for him moving beyond their individual and collective boundaries to achieve. Andy is central in conducting this environment while having a blast!

GIRLS COMPETITIVE COACH OF THE YEAR:

SHAWNA LARSON Club/Org: Pacific FC Submitted by: Tiffany Meade (also submitted by Jessie Krause) ———————— Shawna is a volunteer coach for my daughter U13 Select team, She coaches these girls with all or her heart and is always there for them on and off the field.

Shawna coaches because she loves the game, she doesn't even have a daughter on the team. She brings so much positive influence to these girls and yet is still highly competitive. She brings this team up even after hard losses, and keeps these girls from being negative towards each other on and off the field (we all know how 12 year old girls can be).

She teaches these girls not only the fundamentals of their respective sport but incredibly valuable life lessons, as well. She is always in tune with her players and encourages each of them to care for one another. She always there to listen when these girls have problem on the field or if the need a few extra words of encouragement.

She help this team over the summer go from loosing in the semi finals at clash of the boarder, to making it to the championship game at the PCU summer slam and then to win the championship against a hard Alaska team at the Bend Premier Cup.

GIRLS COMPETITIVE COACH OF THE YEAR:

ALEN CROFT Club/Org: Timbers Submitted by: Ava Burton ———————— He is loyal and loves teaching. I have been playing soccer for 10 years and he is my favorite coach. He doesn't go through the same drills he stops if we are doing something wrong and helps us but also connects with our team like a family.

He does teach 3 teams and also plays on his own team but he is always able to work his hardest are team was terrible at first but now we work as a team because if him. He's nice and funny.

We get rewarded if we beat him at competitions and he challenges us to make us better. Our team did not know each other but now we all hang out. He makes me want to go to soccer and want for the soccer day to happen. He doesn't just make us do drills he makes it fun aa well.

He never hesitated to give us tips on how to make better unlike other coaches who just dies drills over and over again. He always makes us laugh and makes us a family. The first practice he said that. He wants us to be a family and want to hang out with each other every day.

GIRLS COMPETITIVE COACH OF THE YEAR:

SALVATORE DUCCIO Club/Org: Westside Timbers Submitted by: Jennifer Tagliaferri (also nominated by Heather Hale-Van Kleek) ———————— I would like to nominate Salvatore Duccio Tagliaferri as girls competitive coach of the year. Duccio is an Italian-born, naturalized American citizen. Having grown up in Italy means he lived and breathed soccer from a young age; soccer is in his blood. This season he is coaching our oldest daughter’s U10 Copa team, a girls U14 Samba team and 2007 girls Thorns RTC West. This past fall he also coached a JV2 boys team at Tualatin High School as well as our middle daughter’s Kinder Rec team.

Duccio has a way of passing his knowledge on to his players in a way that they can easily understand.

They are then able to apply what they have learned to their own game. There is a quote by Galileo Galilei that states “You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him find it within himself.” This is a notion Duccio lives by. I don’t know how many times I have heard him say “They’re not empty vessels that need to be filled, I am just here to help them find it within themselves” when talking about his players.

One thing I really respect about Duccio is that it doesn’t matter if he is coaching a team in the State Cup Final or a Kinder Rec team in their first game, he gives everything he has to the people he is coaching.

He believes everyone deserves his best, no matter what.

He also has an amazing ability to relate to the kids and show them that he truly cares about them and their growth, not just as players, but as people, too. He is able to demand their absolute respect and teach them the game he loves while never losing sight of the fact that this is just a game and at the end of the day, they need to have fun.

GIRLS COMPETITIVE COACH OF THE YEAR:

JOHN SAMWEL Club/Org: Washington Timbers Submitted by: Janice Kohout ———————— In the short 6 months John has been coaching this U13 girls team, we have maintained a nearly undefeated season, we are the champions of the Beaverton Cup and Clash at the Border tournament and just recently were the Champions of the Presidents Cup and are on to regionals!

The patience, guidance and passion John puts into each and every practice (he even takes the time every practice to give a P.O.P -player of practice award- and recognizes a player that was exceptional that practice which in turn has the girls playing their hardest and working outside of practice for their strengths and work to be noticed ) he is making a record difference not only for our girls, but our club as well.

This is a coach that truly loves what he does, cares about his players and is creating champions who are passionate about the game.

I truly can’t sing enough praises, but the scoreboard is a clear indication of his talents. This team of girls as well as their parents have so much respect and appreciation for John and we feel so very blessed to get to have him coach our daughters. He deserves Girls Coach of the Year!

GIRLS COMPETITIVE COACH OF THE YEAR:

MICHELLE McHONE Club/Org: Clackamas United Soccer Club Submitted by: Eric Groves

(also nominated by Myque Obiero)

———————— Michelle did a GREAT job of coaching in very tough situations... coaching the U15 B team. My daughter was a swing player between the A and B team, and Michelle could not have been more instructive and kind. When my daughter was moved up to the A team, Michelle was excited for her, which takes a special person.

At the same time, Michelle has taken her younger team to the Founder's Cup Championship and has proved herself to be a GREAT Coach, even though this is her first full year. Michelle is a GREAT example of dedication, hard work, and enduring love for soccer... Tactically, she set the team up well, but, maybe more importantly, she is a living example of that love for soccer.

Peter, Michelle's father, joins her on the field as her assistant coach, which is a great model for what soccer can do in the lives of families. Peter coached Michelle when she was young, so to see the Father / Daughter story continue, as Michelle leads her teams, is fantastic. For these reason, both her tactical acumen, which was on display at the Founder's Cup, and her ability to model the love of soccer, across generations, I think Michelle McHone would be a great awardee this year!

GIRLS COMPETITIVE COACH OF THE YEAR:

CARLY COPPLESTONE Club/Org: Eastside Timbers Submitted by: Jason Shuler ———————— 1st year state cup champions 1st half of 2nd season undefeated. Very focused on the all around growth of the athletes.. dedicated and very goal oriented , has a game plan and very organized for every practice and game. Takes the time with the Individual players to set goals, gives you good advice and things to work on and she always works on what is best for our team and never gives up on individual players.

Also she is constantly pushing you to be better, she brings the team together in tough times and is big on our team working harder than anyone else. She is not afraid to say it how it is but yet gives good criticism and gives praise. Another aspect that everybody loves about her is that she is very active in team bonding and pulling players together in a short period of time.

All in all Carly has helped make our team what it is today. From going from being last I league and now first and 2016-17 state champions. Everyone loves what she has done to continue to grow our team.

In summary Carly is a phenomenal coach and hands down should get the coach of the year award.

GIRLS COMPETITIVE COACH OF THE YEAR:

BINH LE Club/Org: Clackamas United Submitted by: Annie Le ———————— Coach Binh has coached the U17 Power Rays team since they were U12. His older daughter plays on this team.

Coach Binh took a brand new U14 team last May, who had only 5 returning players from a defunct team. The previous U13 team had a loosing season, they were unhappy with their coaches and a lot of parents & players were ready to call it quits and/or leave to go to Eastside or somewhere else and a few did! Coach Binh's daughter had played with this team 2 year prior, but has since played up. They had asked and begged him to take over the team and coach the girls. He agreed to take over.

He added players from 5 & 6 Grades from Rec team to form CUSC U14 Arsenal. It was a band of misfits and a struggle to get all the girls on the same page. He went back to basic and emphasized team work and team effort. They lost their 1st league game in a tight and hard fought game by 1 point. After that, they outscored their opponents by 24 goals and became League Champions. They went on to win the Founders Cup in a nail biter of a game, 2 OT and finally in PK shoot out.

Towards the end of the League play for U13 Fusion, their coach took a personal leave. Coach Binh stepped in and finished the last 2 games of the season. They were also going thru a rocky road and there was no cohesion and no real "team" play. Just individual players and moral was extremely low and little respect for each other.

Coach Binh got them to enjoy playing together as a team. Moral was up, Parents were happy and girls were laughing and smiling and started to play as a team. They also went to Founders Cup and it also came down to PK. Through hard work and playing as a team, they pulled out a win and are also Champions!

GIRLS COMPETITIVE COACH OF THE YEAR:

BOB PAIGE Club/Org: Oregon Futbol Academy Submitted by: Shaun Sorce ———————— Bob Paige has been coaching my daughter's soccer team for 4 consecutive season's, and I couldn't be more satisfied with his professionalism and dedication to the team and the sport. He has earned the respect, trust, and affection of the entire team. His talented coaching has led this team, consisting of girls who's experience ranges from years in soccer to zero, to take 3rd place in the Smash Cup. We would have lifted him onto our shoulders as the girls tied the leading team, a group of all star contenders, during the last game. The girls surprised everyone except Bob. He knew they could do it all along. It is his faith in them and his determination that everyone on the team gets his best coaching that has made their success possible.

Early adolescence is a challenging time for a young girl. They are in need of positive role models and supportive adults. Bob fills these roles for our girls. He also brings the team together and creates a sense of family among the girls and the parents. This community spirit is an added fortification against the challenges of adolescence. It is a comfort to know that Bob will be there for the girls in the coming seasons.

GIRLS COMPETITIVE COACH OF THE YEAR:

TINA ELLERTSON Club/Org: FC Salmon Creek Submitted by: Renee Harrison

(also nominated by Craig Harrison, Jennifer Dixon, and Jennifer Williams)

———————— Tina is an inspiration to all little girls playing soccer because she sets an example of strength, determination, and empowers these young ladies to be the best they can.

Tina has played professionally and now brings all her knowledge and skills to train today’s youth and her passion and spirit for the game is contagious. She not only coaches our girls academy U10 team, but also our premier U11 team, she runs the academy program at Salmon Creek and devotes additional time to training at development clinics. She is also working for the US Soccer Association to recruit talented young players to play for their teams.

In addition to all this Tina is an amazing mother to three kids. Tina expects the best from her players, and she gets that from them. She has the ability to hold the attention of her young girls and inspire them to continue to learn because they look up to her. They want to do all that she has done.

I don’t think we could ask for a more experienced, caring, focused, and dedicated coach for our girls, and for our club. We are so lucky to have her and I truly believe she deserves not just this nomination, but to take the award for girls competition coach. Thank you.

GIRLS COMPETITIVE COACH OF THE YEAR:

HECTOR CRUZ Club/Org: Oregon Futbol Academy Submitted by: Gari Willey ———————— He is loving, but firm and very knowledgeable of the game! He pushing the girls to be their best and has great morals and teaches the girls respect and hard work as well as sportsmanship. He is amazing and selfless!

He is the most committed coach I have ever seen and he genuinely cares for all of the girls!

He puts in countless hours in and off the field. He never complains and I believe he is the most prime example of what a coach and mentor can be. I believe he should get this award for his ongoing dedicating, as well as his coaching has helped our team get to a whole new level and succeed at the premier level.

The girls absolutely love him and respect him! He is a family man as well, having 5 children and a beautiful wife. His youngest is 14 and his last going through the high school program in the fall. I think this award would be well suited for Hector, as to acknowledge him for the countless hours that were unpaid and unnoticed by some. He deserves this recognition more than anyone! He also played a big part in bringing indoor Futsal to Grants Pass!

He and the support of Travis Boersma have made our community proud by starting Oregon Futbol Academy.

GIRLS COMPETITIVE COACH OF THE YEAR:

SAMANTHA URE Club/Org: Bend FC Timbers Submitted by: Peter Sparks ———————— Essentially she is a fantastic coach. In her interactions with the athletes Sam perfectly balances sternness and high expectation with passion, joy, celebration and good humor. I know the athletes respond very well to Sam and all have elevated their games because of it. The growth in each and every member of the team this year has been astonishing, and this is because of Sam. Importantly, our team has been very successful this year, not because we have the most individually skilled players, but because our team is the most aggressive and passionate team in the league.

Our athletes fight for every ball, run the entire time, and continue to fight even when down in the score. This never-give-up attitudes is a great mark of sportsmanship and this is cultivated by Sam. She has created a culture of high passion and expectation and ALL of the teammates rise to that level. In addition, our team has done well also because Sam has trained them to support each other on the field and work together as a unit. If an opponent gets past one, there is always a teammate right there to back them up. This has made it very difficult for teams to score, even teams that have better individual skill than our team. This teamsmanship, rather than simple individual skill, is the most critical aspect of the game for an athlete to learn at this level, and I believe Sam has done a fantastic job.

Finally, the teammates themselves are personally close and supportive of each other. I believe it is an absolute joy for everyone to be on this team, and this kind of cohesiveness really starts from the coach and trickles down. Sam embraces and encourages every athlete, even while being stern when needed. She encourages the girls to be equally compassionate and encouraging with each other through example.

I do not believe there is a teammate or a parent of a teammate who has anything short of the utmost respect for Sam as a coach and a leader, and as a friend to everyone on the team.

I couldn’t ask for a better coach for my daughter, and for these reasons, Sam deserves to be awarded Coach of the year.

GIRLS COMPETITIVE COACH OF THE YEAR:

DAVID DOYLE Club/Org: David Douglas Soccer Club Submitted by: Jeanne Zeriek ———————— Coach Doyle has gone above and beyond to support each of the girls on the Ninja Cats teams within the David Douglas Soccer Club, He treats the girls as equals and presents rewards at the end of each game. He encourages each player to continue participation in current and future soccer events.

He is compassionate at what he does and passes which gives of the girls a drive to achieve the best outcomes collaboratively as a team. Without Coach Doyle's dedication these girls would have lost the drive to pursue participation in soccer teams.

The parent of the team are continuously informed of events and progress that the team has made. Coach Doyle made it possible for the girls to get into a Thorns game to meet the players and get encouraged to pursue a career in this wonderful sport. The girls felt empowered after the game and were motivated to continue participating in soccer through the David Douglas Soccer Club. Coach Doyle is not afraid to stand up and cheer for every single player on the team during games.

Through win and losses, Coach Doyle has always celebrated the team achievements and the wonderful passion that each player brings to the field.

GIRLS COMPETITIVE COACH OF THE YEAR:

JEFF CASTAGNOLA Club/Org: Washington Timbers Submitted by: Sara White ———————— Jeff is extremely dedicated to the game of soccer and is a very positive role model for young girls.

He exhibits sportsmanship and encourages that in our team and parents at all times. Jeff has an incredible work ethic, he's fun, reliable and has had great success within our program giving back to the sport he loves while enhancing his players abilities and confidence. I have witnessed girls grow in their technical abilities, understanding of the game and personal responsibilities under his coaching. His players know he is committed to being approachable, respectful, making the game fun and constantly studies this sport to help them become even better individually and as a team.

Our Coach, Jeff Castagnola, is committed to his continued education in soccer and just recently received his "B" license, he also spends many hours watching videos, reading and watching/attending as many matches as possible to expand his knowledge of the game.

Coach Castagnola has coached several girls who have moved on to play for the Thorns Development Academy.

He is a coaching mentor to all in our club and is always willing to pass along knowledge and advice to other coaches no matter what level team or license they have. Jeff has been with the Washington Timbers Football Club for 6 years and is not only dedicated to coaching at the higher levels, has been the director of coaching for our recreational division for many years and is a coach for Clark College Women's Soccer.

As you can see, Jeff gives so much of himself to OYSA and women's soccer in particular, we are very proud to have Jeff as a part of the Washington Timbers organization and are thrilled to have him mentoring our players.

GIRLS COMPETITIVE COACH OF THE YEAR:

KEVIN LEGG Club/Org: Crossfire Submitted by: Miriam Bradley ———————— 1) Kevin tows a very nice line between being competitive and accepting defeat as it happens. A great role model for the girls to see how to handle the emotions around both of these regular actions in a mature way, sacrificing neither. An example of this is his encouragement from the sidelines to do their best, but in his girls only defeat during this Fall OYSA season he realized the team needed an after game debrief, which he doesn't always do, but he identified the need and offered a calmness to the girls after a hard fought loss.

2) Kevin is very committed to the girls he coaches, from reviewing and discussing any other soccer commitments they may have to offering a Physical Trainer at all practices, plus 15 minutes of ACL prevention exercises at each practice. He routinely gets his teams involved in tournaments at the very highest level- such as our daughter's team playing in the Surf Cup 2005 Super Group and Crossfire WA Tournament 2005 Super Group. I think you will be hard pressed to find many other OR coaches that established this same highest level division tournament type opportunities for their athletes. I reviewed all of Surf Cup entrants, and didn't see it out of OR, black division 'yes', but Kevin shoots for the highest and often convinces tournament directors to give his team's a shot. In addition to prioritizing top level competition, Kevin continues to individually coach in each practice. This is one of the reasons we joined Crossfire 2 years ago, it was Kevin's penchant for being willing to offer a lot of individual instruction. Our daughter is playing up a year and needed this, but all the girls on the team benefit from his willingness to constantly correct nuances of their movement on field, how they receive a ball from the left side vs. the right, winning the ball, thoughtful passes to maintain possession, the list goes on and on essentially and specifically BY GIRL. Two girls last year that were at the bottom of the team are getting significantly more playing time this year, through their IMPROVEMENT. And honestly, I play a lot of soccer myself, and their kind of improvement was not some naturally occurring new found athleticism, it has been through his instruction. He really is great at focusing individual instruction towards his players, as well as team instruction.

This one quality really sets him a part from other top level coaches in the area. My daughter has been asked to help out two other OYSA State Premier level winning teams over the last few years for some other tournaments and we have got to know other coaches, and Kevin is unique in his consistent, every practice, games, all practice long, willingness to individually instruct. It is the single #1 reason we have our daughter with Kevin, because it is that unique.

3) Kevin brings decades of knowledge to his coaching and instruction both as a player and former Director of Arsenal club in CA. OR is very lucky to attract his talent level. Despite the hands on experience, Kevin continues to seek out his school book/text book learning as well, having recently just completed getting his 'B' license. It was nice that he was humble enough to send out a note to our team letting us all know he had learned some things from his classes and wanted to keep improving as a coach, that he was excited to keep growing his coaching ability and applying what he learned. Pretty cool from someone who already has a long coaching history.

4) Kevin is very involved in the local community. How do I count the ways? He is trying to secure a complex for Crossfire right now and funding, he established ECNL for U13, not just U14 and is working on other age groups too for top level opportunities. Crossfire is doing a club wide toy drive this year and he has helped established club wide fundraising opportunities, many of them. He connects with so many college coaches and even had them take part in a Crossfire specific week long camp this summer. He held an ECNL club tail gate at a Concordia this Fall and had all the girls watch the college girls, mutually supporting both programs. He works on the side and manages at Tualatin Indoor Soccer Arena. I am very confident this is just a small sampling of everything Kevin is doing to support the OR soccer community.

I am a very busy, an over full time working soccer Mom, I do not have time to make a video for added effect, but I hope you will consider what I have written. I also would like to note, everyone says "soccer is political". What a drag.. in my opinion. I choose to put up blinders. I see this I guess from a fundamental, organizational level, but hopefully it can remain out of the simple act of coaching. I offer this up because Kevin is so heavily involved as Director of Crossfire, that in his position of leadership, there are going to be people that like what he is doing and those that don't from a leadership, administrative level. I encourage you not to confuse what he is doing administratively, with his coaching ability. I believe I am nominating him for his coaching ability only at this time and in that he really is something special. Please heavily consider him for this honor.

VOTING CATEGORY:

BOYS REC COACH OF THE YEAR

BOYS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

TREVOR THARP Club/Org: NEU*PDX Submitted by: Brandon McNeil ———————— Trevor optimizes the idea of Coach / Teacher! Being a full time elementary school teacher his ability to connect with kids is a thing of beauty!

A master at garnering the attention of U8 - U10 age players is no small feat! His endless energy, enthusiasm and dedication to the players can be seen immediately! To have over 100 players under his guise it is a work of art to see him develop the next generation of NEU*PDX Boys & Girls. When you speak to older players within our club the name that consistently comes up is without question Coach Trevor!

The organizing of over 100 players into teams, outline the schedule for each weekend and communicate effectively with parents is Coach Trevor's strength. Parents rave, "I don't know how he does it, taking the time to connect with my son in an individual way. He is like an orchestra conductor who can bring together a mass of individuals, 7 to 9 year old boys & girls, all in a collective direction. No small task and he does it with ease!"

Being a mentor for our entry level coaches, many of which are young people transitioning from playing into coaches, is another area where Trevor shines. The number of coaches he has developed and graduated into the competitive coaching ranks is seen within the NEU*PDX coaching DNA. Not to mention he is a husband and dad of a young family!

BOYS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

DARREN PULLEN Club/Org: Eastside Timbers Submitted by: Kristi McFadden ———————— Darren's primary goals are to make sure the boys have fun, learn how to work as a team and have good sportsmanship. He goes above and beyond when it comes to coaching by finding creative ways to direct the boys in drills, strategies and sportsmanship.

He designs practices and games to highlight the boys, while encouraging them to look at how the other team is feeling. He demonstrates the qualities and standards that he expects the boys to emulate and he gives praise and compliments to them when they reflect these characteristics.

He takes the different traits of each boy on the team and uses those to help the boys develop a sense of unity among the boys.

He recognizes each of their differences and gives the boys the motivations they need to be confident in their skills. He is doing far more than teaching them soccer, he is teaching them skills that will help them every day.

Additionally, he is always working to improve his coaching skills, and shows the boys how important it is to work hard, play hard and have fun. He is a great role model for them.

His dedication, devotion and goals set him apart as a coach and are the reason I feel he should be nominated as Boys Rec Coach of the Year

BOYS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

ANDREW GARRETT Club/Org: Forest Grove Submitted by: Marc Roche ———————— If you watched him coach any game or practice you would know, he is unbelievable. He is very positive and encouraging with the athletes but also teaches a ton of soccer skills. I was amazed of how much my son improved throughout the season. He challenged them enough every week to learn new skills. Most importantly, the kids had fun. Every kid felt so valued and a part of such a great experience.

The kids loved coming to practice every single day. As a coach myself, I was very impressed to see the organizational skills to get a bunch of 6 year olds to develop as solid little soccer players. And as you saw them work on it in practice, the kids were applying the skills in the game the next Saturday.

As a parent, you love to see your kid have such a positive experience in sports at an early age. I know that it is not always easy finding a youth coach who can bring such a great experience to a team, but we were very blessed to have him as our coach.

BOYS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

FERNANDO SANCHEZ Club/Org: Siuslaw Soccer Club Submitted by: Karla Sanders ———————— He loves couching the kids. Has such a good interaction with them and take time to work one on one and come prepare to coach.

He has been coaching kids and even though our league is not competitive he take kids that have no experience and gives them confidence and they do great.

The teams he has coached had won all their games and the tournament with in the league.

The kids love spending time with Coach Nando and they all like to help him carrying something to their practice.

He like to take advice to teach the kids better and to know how to handle and work with each player.

He is very respectful toward the parents and players, always letting us know of any updates ahead of time.

Loved having our kid work with coach Nando and hopefully he can coach him again.

The association was talking that if we ever have a competitive team he will be the one taking over the team. So we keep our fingers crossed to have competitive teams.

Lastly he is a young, energetic, full of ideas and loves soccer and loves teaching and helping the kids find their own personal strength and confidence.

BOYS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

ANGIE HUDSPETH Club/Org: TYS Submitted by: Nicole Larson ———————— She encouraged our players to be themselves, and allowed them time to "find" what worked best for them.

She gave them respect and demanded it in return. My son felt important every day. He learned how to be a good player and most important to be a great teammate to other. she encouraged them to trust each other and tought them the importance of accountability. My son learned what it meant to be a part of something bigger then him self. He got the opportunity to feel a sense of responsibility and learned self discipline.

After the boys realised that she cared, naturally they felt comfort and choose to do the right things.

She was able to teach the boys to listen without getting loud or yelling. She had high standard's for herself and never let them see any frustrations.

She made drills fun and encouraging. She used pool noodles and random tactics and visuals to teach them the core skills of soccer.

She set the tone and let them know what she expected of them. She is a great role model, She truly cares and takes pride in her team.

She is a awesome and talented coach. Go Narwalds!

BOYS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

PABLO FLORES Club/Org: Lake Oswego Soccer Club Submitted by: Emily Pinkerton ———————— Coach Pablo has been my Son's Coach for three Seasons through the LOSC Rec. Program.

His commitment to the boys on both of his Rec. Teams (he Coaches for both of his son's age groups) is outstanding.

His time management and dedication as a Volunteer Coaching two practice sessions each week for an hour an half, separately for both Teams, is extraordinary.

Players sign up to be on his Team from outside of his designated School for the opportunity to be Coached by his regimented practices, Soccer Skills taught, and the Sportsmanship guidelines he expects from all Players. He is serious about Soccer, so the kids on his Team respect him as a Coach and the Game as a competitive sport. His Coaching style unifies his Players from 1st Grade to return to play on his Team year after year.

For the last three years my Son has played on Coach Pablo's Team and they have lost only one game. His Coaching record speaks for itself. Coach Pablo is from Argentina and he has given the boys in our small suburban Community a global vision and love for the game of Soccer.

Please consider Coach Pablo for Rec. Coach of the Year!

BOYS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

CLINT BURNETT Club/Org: Tualatin Soccer Club Submitted by: Claudia Cleetus ———————— Coach Clint Burnett knew each child's level and helped them learn new skills. He motivated each child to perform better and reach a higher level.

When my child started playing soccer, he was an absolute beginner with very basic skills. In fact, he had never really played soccer seriously. But over the course of the weeks, his interest and skills improved. He learnt to play well with other team members and looked more confident of himself. We saw similar changes in other children as well. There were children of different ages with varying abilities. The coach knew each child's individual capabilities and encouraged them to rise to a new level. There was a huge change in the skills of the children from the time they began to the time they finished.

The coach was quite dedicated and kept the team and their parents/guardians well informed. On the last day of soccer, he spoke special words of praise for each child as he handed each one a trophy. He turned it into a simple yet memorable experience for each child and their families. Clint was a very fair coach and he ensured that each child got an opportunity to be his best!

BOYS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

ERIC ANDERSON Club/Org: SYSC Submitted by: Macie Sexton ———————— I would like to nominate Coach Eric Anderson for Coach of the Year 2017. in the 3 months Eric coached my son's team, I watched the team practice, scrimmage, and compete, but it wasn't until the first match of the season that it became clear how lucky we were to have him as our team's coach.

Eric was dedicated to teaching the boys the importance of respect, commitment, consideration, sportsmanship, and teamwork, all while keeping it fun and rewarding them for the hard work they put in. He was committed to bringing out the best in the team and made sure to be fair without playing favorites - if a boy worked hard, he saw more time on the field regardless of skill level.

Eric prioritized working hard over winning and made (though our record was still a winning one!) sure to have some fun in the process. He actively coached the boys throughout each game, teaching them the art of soccer along the way. A few of the boys had never played soccer, but by the end of the season his team tied the best team in the league (who, up to that point, had won every game by a margin of 4+ goals), and then rewarded them with ice cream afterward. Eric has all the characteristics of a great coach: he made an effort throughout the season, along with his assistant coach, Joe Domingo, to improve his skills as a coach, and is a walking example of fair play and sportsmanship. He did not allow anyone on the team to play selfishly, rotated the bench players timely, and matched skill sets to positions that allowed each boy to fully understand the game by playing in others' shoes (or cleats!), all while considering their interests and requests.

The team always took a knee when a player was injured, and he encouraged physicality through use of talent and strength, rather than cheap shots or playing aggressively rough. At the start of the season, I saw a team of boys who barely knew one another, hogged the ball at times, and tried to do the least possible physically, yet by close of the season with their final victory I saw a strong group of boys that were committed to the game and dedicated to their team.

Eric transformed the youth he was responsible for both on and off the field, and we couldn't have been more fortunate than to have his guidance shaping our students.

the

BOYS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

JOSE DEZA Club/Org: David Douglas Soccer Club Submitted by: Heidi King ———————— Jose has been an amazing asset to any child lucky enough to have him as their coach. Not only does he have years of experience in the field himself, but he shows an exceptional amount of patience, understanding, and genuine caring about the kids on his team.

He takes the extra time needed to assist a child when he sees said child struggling or in need of extra attention. Not only that, he also spends a generous amount of time with parents talking to them about their child's progress or areas where they could use some additional assistance or work.

Jose takes the time to get to know each team member and is able to keep his team team engaged and listening throughout the process using patience and understanding versus yelling or other aggressive tactics which I have seen many other coaches use.

My child has a communication disability and thanks to Jose's work and progress with him, he has made great strides in peer interaction and the ability to voice what he wants or needs for the sport.

I have yet to meet another coach who is as committed to helping kids learn and love the sport of soccer.

BOYS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

LEONEL VICENTE Club/Org: Rogue Valley Timbers Submitted by: Julie-Ann Barlow ———————— He’s been volunteering and coaching my son since the 5th grade. He does an amazing job always pushing and having the kids strive for more! I couldn’t of asked for a better coach these last few years. He takes time out of his schedule 3 times a week and for both seasons Fall and spring.

Most parents can’t even commit there kids to more then one season but to take time off work every week. Doing 2 hr practices plus game days and still be a family man/dad. It’s pretty amazing to see. He never gave up on the kids once.

We had a lot of issues with the GP schedule this year. They moved us places the day before the game. Even the morning of our final tourney. He worked so hard to call and get the kids to be there at the new location. We had parents lost and running around but Leo did the best he could to stay positive for those boys !!!

I appreciate everything he has done ! Having him for 8 season 4 Years straight. I still never would trade him. He taught my son so many things on how to be a better ball player and how to keep his head clear and just play the game.

I appreciate everything Leo has done for this team and all the teams and especially giving up his time for these boys.

BOYS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

JAKE HUMBIRD Club/Org: FC Columbia County Submitted by: Ashley Swift ———————— Jake is a wonderful coach!

He inspires his boys to play hard and have fun. Never does he say a negative word or put anyone down. He expects good sportsmanship as well as full effort. He is fair, and competitive. He demands the kids treat each other with respect, as well as the kids and coaches on the other team, and the young referees who have volunteered their time. He has even instilled in the boys the value of thanking the game officials for their time at the end of the game, regardless of the game score. He teaches them that does not mean you go easy on the other guys!

Being a Rec League coach can be tough. Though he was given kids of many ranges of skill levels, he did an amazing job of developing greatness! He worked to find the best positions for each of the boys to compliment the whole team. We had a great season because of his strategic thinking. Each and every one of the kids on his team showed improvement in their abilities by the end of the season.

Watching Jake coach is amazing because of his love for the game, the kids, coaching them, and competitiveness. He brings out the best in everyone he coaches, as well as the parents of the kids!

BOYS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

SAL CASUCCIO Club/Org: Eastside Timbers Submitted by: Craig Woodall

(also nominated by Carly Copplestone)

———————— Sal taught our team how to play fair. He loves to be able to win, but winning is not whay Sal is about. He teaches the boys skills, and values. Sal's own boy is on the team and perhaps that helps give coach Sal that ability to talk towards the team as of they were all his boys.

His mindset is always positive.

He works out extra games with disabled youth and sometimes competitive teams to demonstrate to his team that the game is Bout having fun as much as it may be about winning or losing. He has taught his team humility, when they have lost he tells them it is not a out who wins or loses, bit did you do your best? Several games other teams were fouling players pretty badly. Sal made sure to sit the boys down and talk to them about not retaliating. Saying sometimes a foul is not intentional and they even if the other team is intentionally fouling it is up to the ref to address that. Sal has gone to bat for our kids when unnecessary roughness occurs. Sal continues to work with the boys developing their skills, has brought in assistant coaches and even some high school soccer players to help teach the boys skills.

In short Sal exhibits the type of leadership a coach of young men should, patience, passion for the game, understanding and an ability to help mold the kids into team players.

BOYS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

CHRIS PETERSON Club/Org: Banks Youth Soccer Submitted by: Teri Braun ———————— Chris started out as an assistant coach the first two years of working with this group of boys. The third year, he hesitantly stepped up as the head coach. Since then, he has become a trusted mentor, and role model for these boys as he worked with them on improving skills, but more importantly their working as a team.

The boys have improved year after year because Chris has encouraged them to practice at home, watch professional soccer, and help with varsity games. In practice and in games, he didn't allow them to simply focus on their strengths, but has them try new positions, and pushed them outside their comfort zones.

Chris stepped up when he didn't have to, and then fell in love with coaching this group of boys, and did so for 4 years. He created a strongly knit group of boys who have learned how to work together, and step in when one of their teammates is injured to fill in the gaps. They listen to him, respect him, and have a healthy respect for what it takes to earn those wins. While he is not the most experienced coach in the association, he led by example by learning through doing hard things. He has prepared them well for the next step of their soccer career by working with the local varsity coaches so the boys can move forward with soccer next year.

Over these past few years he took the challenge of coaching, stuck with it, and helped guide these boys to several wins, a better work ethic, and a love of the game.

BOYS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

MATTHEW NEWALL Club/Org: Newport Central Coast Soccer Submitted by: Megan Jones ———————— Mr. Newell was an assistant coach with winter soccer last year. And this year for spring season he was the head coach. He really helped my child gain confidence and helped him develop a drive to do better.

My son wanted to give his all this season.

Mr. Newell let the kids play different positions as well, giving them all the opportunity to be able to have the thrill of being able to score a goal. He really developed a team environment. He made soccer fun and enjoyable to watch.

Mr. Newell was a great head coach this year and really seemed to enjoy it as well. My son does not have much confidence and was not sure about having a new coach this season, so he was pretty nervous about this winter season. But Mr. Newell was positive from the get go, which put my son at ease and got him really excited for the season.

This was a really great group of kids that just got better and better with each game. My son especially excelled this season. His footwork got better, his determination and mindset and his endurance.

Mr. Newell really fostered each kids individual talent and gave them room grow and shine.

I thank Mr. Newell for such a great season, that I loved coming out to watch and my son loved coming out to practice and play. Nothing beats your child's love and joy for something grow.

BOYS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

THOMAS HURST Club/Org: Central Coast Soccer Submitted by: Megan Jones ———————— I first came to know Thomas Hurst as my son's soccer coach. He was the only coach in Newport that was willing to take my son on his team. We live in Waldport, but had an unrewarding experience with the Waldport team.

My son had always wanted to play soccer, so when I finally let him and it was such a bad experience, I was so thankful to Mr. Hurst for his generosity in excepting my son onto his team.

My son had never played before but Mr. Hurst encouraged him always. He was strict but balanced that with encouragement. My son does not have a father or father figure in his life, and I do not know if Mr. Hurst realizes this or not, but my son respects him like a father and always wanted to make him proud.

Mr. Hurst's family welcomed him without prejudice and showed him friendship and kindness. My son always puts his son as his favorite pro on his soccer cards and his wife is such a beautiful person. My son told me the other day that her voice is the one voice he hears cheering him on when he is playing a game.

Mr. Hurst does an excellent job at fostering and nurturing mutual love and respect. He brought that as a coach and assistant coach this year and as the association President. I wouldn't want anyone else in the position. I am so thankful for Mr. Hurst and all that he gives of himself.

BOYS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

JIMMY GODARD Club/Org: Sherwood Soccer Club Submitted by: Kelly Lee

(also nominated by Rebecca DeBorde)

———————— Coach Godard went above and beyond for his players.

Always positive words of encouragement out of his mouth, pushing the boys to be their best!

This was the first year my son wanted to attend every single practice!! He developed a love for a specific position and coach Jimmy helped him hone in on skills to get even better.

Coach Jimmy would show up 30mins early to practice for those boys who wanted to come early and just shoot around freely! That says a lot for a coach!! He always had a smile on his face and I could not say enough positive things!!! If you spoke to any of the parents on the team I know they would be in agreement! Our boys felt like champions and were all year! He took a group of boys that had never played together before and turned them into a team that never lost a game the whole season, that got along, that had fun!

At the end of the year party he had put together a slideshow and had the boys walk into the song “ We Are the Champions” they felt so much pride and were beaming! He spoke of each boys strengths and growths throughout the year.

BOYS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

SCOTT HARDIN Club/Org: Westside Warriors Submitted by: Cynthia Gordon ———————— Scott is a true example of a great coach, Dad, husband and son.

He coaches 3 recreational soccer teams every year - Spring and Fall seasons. He is patience, loving and caring with all the kids. For him, playing soccer is a passion and he tries to pass that passion along to his teams each and every practice and game. It is not all about winning but how you play the game. He teaches good sportsman-like conduct and fairness. Everyone gets a chance to be on the field and touch the ball.

The kids love to go to practice as well as to games. Coach makes it fun!! One of Scott's favorite things is to see one of his kids using a technique from "1000 touches" which is something they begin practice with every time. He is also very proud of the fact that on each of his teams, every child has scored at least one goal and he stresses to them that assists are just as important as actually scoring.

The more accomplished players always support their fellow teammates and this shows good teamwork and good coaching.

Coach is a very loving and fair man who is well loved by his kids.

BOYS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

CHAD BROWN Club/Org: Rogue Valley Timbers Submitted by: Reva Siewart ———————— Coach Brown is great with coaching the boys on the recreational soccer team. He is respected by the players and is fair, yet firm so they learn, but also have organized fun.

He had a large soccer team to coach this fall season. Even with a larger team, he was able to keep the kids interested and engaged in the drills he taught.

I most appreciated how attentive he was to recognize where each kid had potential and how he challenged or encouraged them to learn the skill. He inquired about what position my son liked to play and helped him learn that position better by playing him there. It was great as a parent to see the progress and involvement by Coach Brown that taught our son how to excel in a position that was interesting to him and a good fit.

Coach Brown has been my son's recreational soccer coach for the Spring & Fall 2017 season. We don't usually do fall season, but with his coaching style and the great group of boys on the team, we decided to sign up. My son is now asking when he gets to play soccer again! That speaks to Coach Brown's coaching style.

Coach is a great communicator with the boys, he supports his players, and always shows up! We appreciate him and are nominating him for Boys Recreational Coach of the Year.

BOYS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

DEREK ROBERTS Club/Org: Aloha United Submitted by: Sonja Ackman ———————— Coach Derek did a terrific job of promoting sportsmanship in the players on his team.

He has been a wonderful role model to the kids with regard to sportsmanship -encouraging them to respect each other and their opponents as well as their parents. He encouraged healthy competition and organized a parents vs kids scrimmage where we as parents could show our sportsmanship. The players were really motivated on Coach Derek's team both seasons.

My son has thrived in the environment that Coach Derek created. All the kids were motivated and had fun; Derek had a wide variety of activities and skills for them including fun things like Star Wars based games. As a result, we really saw a huge improvement in the playing ability of our kids. Coach Derek really created an environment of teamwork, soccer knowledge, and individual motivation.

Coach Derek spent lots of time learning about new ways to coach for certain skills, and he brought new games and activities to the team at almost every practice. He is huge amateur soccer fan and has a love for the game.

Coach Derek has been active in the Aloha United league to spread the love of soccer.

a

BOYS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

VERONIQUE NELSON Club/Org: Suislaw Soccer Club Submitted by: Nando Garcia ———————— Nando went above and beyond in soccer for the youth he taught the boys a lot about how to play soccer spend extra time in practices and overall was a good coach for the U8 boys team both seasons he was also lenient on my special-needs youth that had circumstances beyond his own and made it hard for him to play and he accommodated the best way he could through the season Nando asked to talk to my older son the previous spring season and continue to work with him throughout the summer to better his skills and teach him more about soccer and perform at a higher level over all this coach deserves to win an award and be recognized.

I can't say more about how this coach has been able to work with the youth here and suislaw area and truly he does need some type of recognition for the hard work and dedication he has put into making soccer a priority in the Florence area I highly recommend this coach be awarded for his great endeavors in the last year that he has been teaching how to play soccer Nando is also a skilled soccer player himself so he brings a lot of good knowledge to the table with the youth

BOYS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

SCOTT BUSIC Club/Org: Gladstone Soccer Club Submitted by: Katie Gould ———————— Scott has been a great asset to our community. He is always willing to coach any and all of kids and even their siblings, during his practices to keep them involved and playing the sport of soccer.

Scott has coached both boys and girls teams for the last few years. The kids adore him and love being on his team season after season.

He takes the time to come to his past players, some who are now high schoolers, to see their games and to continue to support them while watching them grow as players; and the kids get excited seeing him on the side line.

Scott has and is continuing to coach our son for the next few years and has guided him to be a great player on the field as well as a great teammate both on and off the field. He has helped my daughter become a stronger person, mentally, physically, and as a player and genuinely bonds with each of the kids and the kids respect him.

Scott is dedicated to all the teams, our community and our soccer association. Parents and his coaching peers enjoy him and what he is doing with our association.

BOYS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

BRENDAN MURPHY Club/Org: Willamette United Submitted by: Cara Pepper Day ———————— Coach Brendan is a great role model for our boys, teaching them to be tough, follow through, playing smart, and most importantly to be a good team mate and have good sportsmanship. He always runs a tight ship, with very effective and well run practices.

He keeps the boys motivated and does a good job of integrating new skills and strategies into different aspects of the practice--and then having them execute the same strategy in games. Every single player has seen great strides this year, they have turned the corner and look and act like real athletes passing the ball and using strategy.

This is the second season coaching most of the team, with one player joining. You never would have known the one player was a new addition. He was folded right in and the team bonded as a whole.

Our son has had a rough year at school with some behavior challenges. Coach Brendan gave a bit of extra support as needed, but honestly it was very rarely needed because he understands boys, he understand how soccer and sports can motivate kids he is a gem!

We need more coaches and teacher like Brendan in our community, we are so thankful to have him as a coach!

and

BOYS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

MICHELLE STUMBO Club/Org: Eastside Timbers Submitted by: Nick Stumbo ———————— Michelle was the most dedicated coach I have ever seen in any sport at any level. Though she never played soccer growing up, she was passionate about providing a top-notch soccer experience for the boys.

Dedicated, prepared, and totally engaged! She checked out books from the library, watched soccer training videos daily, and attended coaching clinics. She came to each practice with a detailed, minute-by-minute practice plan based on her study. She really went above and beyond what is expected of a coach at this level!

One specific example was that our field for games was covered in goose droppings. She went over the day before a game and spent 2+ hours cleaning the field and making sure it was ready for play the next day, for our team and for all teams using the field that day.

Michelle went above and beyond to recognize our teams skills, and then develop them. Her focus was less on winning the games and more on developing the skill of each player in order to set them up for success in the future.

She did a fantastic job at parent engagement, sending weekly emails with game details, but also with tips and tools that parents could use at home to continue the development of their athlete on non-practice days.

She is an excellent model of how a coach should be at this age level.

VOTING CATEGORY:

GIRLS REC COACH OF THE YEAR

GIRLS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

LUIS PATLAN Club/Org: North Clackamas Soccer Club Submitted by: Kerry Patlan ———————— Luis Patlan is an amazing coach. Luis started coaching in 2012 with a second grade coed team.

In the spring of 2013 we brought our daughter and one other girl from that second grade team and we secured a total of eight players to give the kids their first taste of soccer on a larger field with goals and goalies.

In the fall of 2013 we had U9 team of 12 girls! They had a blast! Over the years players have come and gone, some to competitive, some to other sports, but we have had seven players stay with us over the years. These girls have recruited new players over the years for the team. We have created a family and most of the kids are friends off the field as well.

Last fall Luis took on an additional team that needed a coach or they would be disbanded. During our spring season, he coached 7 days a week on top of a 40+ hour work week. We had two practices each week for each team and two games on the weekends for each team. He gave up his one day off on Friday to run a free club wide goal keeper class and help train young goalies.

During our recent fall season, he worked just as hard to get this kids ready for fall. In August he had the kids on the field for practice and once again ran a free goal keeper class for our club. He had kids on the field five to six days a week this season. The kids had amazing seasons. Luis is a great coach, he doesn’t think so, but if he wasn’t the kids wouldn’t come back.

GIRLS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

ROY FLORES Club/Org: OCSC Submitted by: Amber Cox ———————— Coach Roy was so enthusiastic with the girls. He taught them skills, ran drills and provided an excellent foundation for the girls to continue their soccer career.

If anything, he had 12 seven to eight year old girls actually listen to him. That is an incredible feat. My step daughter didn’t like soccer before this year. He changed her mind.

He treated every girl with respect, integrity and honesty. He prefaced the year with that he likes to be stern with the girls during the game and not to worry. He rarely had to show that side of his coaching skills because the girls listened to him.

They understood his direction and vision for the games. By the end of the year they are yelling commands to their teammates before Coach Flores even had a chance. All the girls on his team, the OC Dominators, loved his practices and skills training. He had them laughing and playing games. He involved the families well too.

He always was current with emails and giving thanks to the team Mom manager. He was always to honest and humble.

He really deserves to be nominated for everything he did for those 12 girls. He is an excellent coach. wouldn’t come back.

GIRLS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

TARA LANG Club/Org: OCSC Submitted by: Amber Cox ———————— Coach Tana is so positive, fun, kind and awesome! She led her team of 1st grade players to develop individually as players and to come together as teammates and friends.

She was creative with incentives and positioned her players so that they could all feel like winners and to grow a love for the game.

She was dedicated and showed the girls not to quit. Her attitude is truly amazing and she is such a positive influence in the lives of these girls. Blessed to have had her as coach!

It bears repeating... Coach Tana is so positive, fun, kind and awesome! She led her team of 1st grade players to develop individually as players and to come together as teammates and friends. She was creative with incentives and positioned her players so that they could all feel like winners and to grow a love for the game.

She was dedicated and showed the girls not to quit. Her attitude is truly amazing and she is such a positive influence in the lives of these girls. Blessed to have had her as coach! Coach Tana is the best and we look forward to having her coach again and again and again!

GIRLS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

JIM EYESTONE Club/Org: David Douglas Soccer Club Submitted by: Nichole Hedinger ———————— Coach Jim is an amazing coach. I know that what I describe won't do him or the work he does justice.

Jim has a way of engaging the girls that builds them up. His two girls left the core team three seasons ago, but he is committed to these girls, and said he'll be their coach until there is no longer a team.

He fosters hard work and personal responsibility both on and off the field. He has created an environment where girls (who are prone to infighting and competing against their own teammates at times) encourage one another and push each other to succeed with out fear. And that is a very hard take to accomplish with 10 and 11 year olds. When a girl maybe having a bad day or just isn't hitting her stride he will come alongside her and because of who he is the girl will work and pull herself back up.

I could tell you about the amazing seasons we have and the fact that although it's a rec league we've only lost 4 games in the last 2 years. But our record isn't a reflection of hard drills and a coach who will push and win at all costs.

Our record stands the way it does because of it's great leadership. Our parents love going to practices and games because we love each other, our girls are friends and these are the types of friendships that will last because they are built by mutual respect and trust. Jim gave that to us. He has given us and our girls something that no other coach could have, he gave us a community.

And so it is for these reasons and many more that I feel James should be awarded coach of the year.

GIRLS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

CARL OGAN Club/Org: Albany Soccer Club Submitted by: Candace Landreth ———————— My daughters coach is a wonderful human. He has helped them grow in the sport of soccer but also has people. He believes in them individually and as a team. This year he has step up the player responsibility for paying for their field practices by earning money for their soccer club. The girls went around with Carl and a couple parents to collect soda cans. The girls took pride in being able to provide something on their own.

This holiday season Carl is having the girls participate in volunteering for the Community with families and children who wouldn’t get to celebrate the holiday season. The haven’t pinpointed what they are able to do yet. However some ideas where to provide a meal for a family in need. Adopt a family to help with holiday presents.

Carl makes all of these girls part of his family. He also expects them to be wonderful humans and go out into their world and make it better for themselves and others. Carl has 5 children. The oldest just got married this summer. His youngest is in 5th grade. Carl coaches and his wife, Brenda also coaches volleyball right after soccer.

Carl puts in a lot of time with these young ladies. I know my own daughter loves soccer and having him as her coach.

GIRLS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

DARIO FARIAS Club/Org: Oak Hills Soccer Club Submitted by: Cary Gatzke

(also nominated by Zhen Wang)

———————— Coach Dario introduced most of the team for their first time to real soccer in an environment of fun with respect, discipline, exceptional skill development and good sportsmanship. As a result of his efforts, the team was very competitive and played with high energy even in extreme weather. All were encouraged to play again next year which is highly likely based on the enjoyment of this season.

Occasion behavioral challenges with players were addressed quickly and effectively with cooperation of player and engagement of family if necessary. The entire experience was rewarding for all and a great contribution to amateur soccer in the Portland and Beaverton district.

Cooperation and team play was highly emphasized in every practice with the collective good prioritized over individual objectives. Achievements prioritized included hard work, support of team mates. High effort to provide effective defense, passing, ball control and strategy was rewarded as importantly as scoring goals. Winning was accomplished as a derivative of good team play overall rather than individual performances. Friendships and interaction outside of the sport resulted on several dimensions as an ext nation of the on field positive relationships. All these things were connected directly or indirectly by the environment built by coach Dario.

We look forward to his continued coaching contributions.

GIRLS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

LAURA FLOSI Club/Org: Sherwood Soccer Club Submitted by: Lorraine Mason ———————— I am nominating Laura Flosi for a Coach of the Year award because of her enthusiastic, knowledgeable work with her team of girls, and her steady, positive coaching style. Laura is clearly experienced in playing and coaching soccer. Moreover, she is capable of presenting her knowledge in a manner that is accessible to 5th graders, some of whom had not played soccer before this season.

Importantly, Laura is enthusiastic about soccer, and her passion sparked a passion in the girls she coached. My daughter eagerly looked forward to going to each soccer practice and game, and has a new excitement for soccer--a sport about which she was not enthusiastic before being a part of this team.

Part of what I believe inspired my daughter to enjoy soccer so intensely, and now feel that it is “her sport,” is Laura’s coaching style. Laura is very patient with the girls, yet clearly conveys her expectation . . . and her expectations are not low, by any account. Her patience and confidence in the girls, combined with her ability to communicate clearly and in a fun manner, facilitated the girls being able to learn, and enjoy the process.

Furthermore, Laura gave the girls a significant amount of positive feedback, and positively framed her feedback about areas in which improvement was indicated. This allowed the girls to build upon their successes and to become more confident in themselves and their soccer skills.

Considering Laura’s amazing attitude and strengths, I highly recommend her for Coach of the Year.

GIRLS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

JEREMIAH DODSON Club/Org: Southside Soccer Club Submitted by: Robyn Washburn ———————— My daughter has played on Coach Dodson's team every fall since third grade. Over the past four years, she has made lasting friendships and has developed as a player in a remarkable way. Not only have I seen her grow stronger and become more skilled in the game, she has gained confidence in all areas of her life. She values teamwork and personal fitness, and she is eager to try new challenges. She is competitive and loves to win, but she has learned good sportsmanship.

Much of this growth is due to her years playing rec soccer. Off the field, she has a vast network of friends at school because they have played soccer together, and as parents, we have become connected to other parents in the neighborhood that we otherwise wouldn't have gotten to know as well. Jeremiah makes the game fun.

The girls return each year playing better because he helps them understand their individual strengths while also teaching them how to play together. The skills they have learned go far beyond the field.

We are grateful for his time and commitment to volunteer coaching and would be thrilled to see his good work recognized by the OYSA.

GIRLS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

KATE SOREM Club/Org: Capitol FC Timbers Submitted by: Edward Rose ———————— Kate is an amazing role model for these girls and an oustanding coach. She knows how to get the most out of them and make the game fun. While still learning how to compete. If you walk the fields and hear a group of girls yelling "Hot Lava!" Then you've found Kate. I know my daughter's love for soccer is greatly inspired by Kate.

This last season Kate coached a Recreational Girl's team. She did this as a coach, not a parent.

Her daughter plays competitive. But Kate saw a need and volunteered her time. During the Season everyone of her players grew. To the point where during a scrimmage against a competitive team, her team gave them a solid run for their money.

Kate also instilled a high level of integrity. I'll never forget her letting the ref know about a called score, not being a score because Kate's team did not get the ball completely across the goal line.

The girls and the parents were upset. But Kate stood by that it was more important to follow the rules than to celebrate a goal we did not actually score. Later that season, the same player had a chance to score and she made sure that ball for all the way across the line.

Kate is an awesome coach. I hope my daughter can be coached by people who have a love for the game like Kate does for the rest of her playing career. We are lucky to have her.

GIRLS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

JENNIFER BISSIG Club/Org: Willamette United Submitted by: Amy Varga ———————— Jenny has coached the same girls rec team (Sparkle Owls) for the last two years. As a mom of three girls, former soccer athlete, and current Doctor of Physical Therapy, she has been an amazing role model and example to the girls over the last two years.

Jenny as gone above and beyond to create a true sense of community on the team. She not only taught concrete soccer skills, she more importantly truly embraced teaching character sportsmanship skills and what it means to be a team -- and part of a group of strong and capable girls.

She arranged carpools for girls to help out the working moms, stayed after to talk with girls who could benefit from processing something that happened at practice, and created the most amazing year-end personalized gifts for the girls that honored their special gifts.

She exemplifies all you could hope for in a volunteer parent coach. There are not enough women coach role models for girls, and we all feel so fortunate to have had one of the best these last two years.

Please help us in honoring Jenny, she is so deserving of receiving this award.

I know it would mean the world to her, and it would be one small way we could all give back to her!

GIRLS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

KEITH VALERIUS Club/Org: Willamette United Submitted by: Cynthia Jones ———————— Keith has been coaching his daughter's team since she was in kindergarten (while also coaching his son's team too). He also coaches the girls who want to play for winter indoor at Tualatin Indoor Soccer. My daughter joined the team in 2nd grade, and has been a part of the indoor soccer group for the last three years. He has also encouraged participating in the optional WUFC tournament each season.

Keith is always positive. The girls love going to practice and are always happy after games- win or lose. In fact, the first year of indoor soccer are poor girls lost almost every match (they were younger and smaller than most of the teams) - but they all wanted to sign up to do it again the next season.

He has instilled a sense of good sportsmanship that shows itself on the field. He never encourages dirty plays, he never shows any anger at the refs for calls that are against us. He has never been anything but courteous with other coaches. He encourages the girls to show respect to the other team, win or lose.

Keith makes sure the girls get to play all positions while still encouraging their development in the positions that they are strongest in and enjoy the most. The weaker players get equal time on the field and aren't left out or excluded. We have watched the improvement in the girls year over year and it is impressive to see them grow into their positions.

Kieth is great at making the parents feel involved too. We have a tight-nit group of parents supporting the girls and I think he is responsible for much of that comradery. He set up a website for the team where parents can share photographs and view the season record.

I would never dream of changing coaches and every year I'm grateful that he returns to continue coaching. Thank you for considering him for coach of the year.

GIRLS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

STACY IGARTA Club/Org: West Hills Submitted by: Sara Runnels ———————— Stacy and his wife Kara have coached my daughter since the 3rd grade, she is now in 8th grade.

The team largely consists of the same group of girls because the Igartas have fostered such a deep commitment to the sport and the team. This goes for the parents as well. The girls of Orange Lightning have not only learned exceptional soccer skills from their coaches, as demonstrated by multiple winning and undefeated seasons, but have learned discipline, teamwork, and positive ways to deal with adversity and loss.

Coach Stacy and Kara have dedicated themselves, but also their family to ensuring the success of their soccer team. Each player is treated with respect and coached to enhance natural ability as well as pushed to advance their knowledge and skills on and off the field.

The Igartas have fostered an environment for the parents to be successful as well by frequent communication and feedback on the team as a whole and our children within the team.

The players are engaged and excited, the parents are engaged and cooperative, and the entire group functions this way because of the commitment to excellence the Igartas show on and off the field.

This is why I believe Stacy should be considered as Coach of the year.

GIRLS RECREATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:

JEFF WARD Club/Org: Willamette United Submitted by: Kelly Marriner-Smith ———————— I thought Jeff was an outstanding coach for my daughters team.

He was demanding and had high expectations but was always very fair and supportive. He did a fantastic job of giving the girls equal playing time while also instilling that they had to earn and then keep their position. His communication with the girls was excellent and “on their level” without ever talking down to them.

Additionally, he kept an excellent communication with the families via email and text. Jeff hosted our whole team and families at a Thorns game which was incredibly inspiring for all. Having come from a different program I was immediately aware of the professionalism and experience Jeff possesses.

The practices always started on time and his passion for coaching and the game were very evident. I played soccer all the way through high school and have been exposed to some of the best and worst coaches. Jeff not only inspired my daughter to play hard and with her heart but he inspired me as well and I’m joining an adult rec league in the spring. I can’t say enough good things about our experience with Jeff and WUFC. We are super excited for the future with this organization and will definitely request that our daughter be on Jeff’s team again next year.

Re-register as a referee for 2017!