It’s that time of year! The 2019 Of The Year Awards have been chosen, and will now be submitted for regional US Youth Soccer (USYS) Award consideration. If any WYS winners become regional winners, they will then be placed on the ballot for the National Awards voted on by the USYS Board of Directors. Last year, Salmon Creek TOPSoccer coach Rocky Fresh won the National TOPSoccer Coach of the Year award and was honored at the USYS Awards Gala in Chicago. 


Below are this year’s Washington Youth Soccer “Of The Year” Award winners, which also means you should start thinking about your nominees for NEXT year’s awards. The deadline is August 31, 2020, which means the awards are based on the current fall season. 

2019 Award Winners

2019 TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year: Scott Stevison

Program: Salmon Creek TOPSoccer
City: Vancouver 
“Scott started as a buddy with our program in June 2018 after hearing about it through his club team. He was immediately a reliable, patient, and supportive buddy. He is now a role model for younger buddies and a Lead Buddy, taking responsibility for assigning buddies to set up and clean up tasks as well as helping to energize and encourage them as they partner with players.” 
-Julie Borghello, Salmon Creek TOP Soccer Administrator

 


“From his first season as a TOPSoccer Buddy, Scott was at ease with so many different players he “buddied up” with. Whether it was a young, non-verbal girl who played using a walker, a tiny yet independent-minded boy who had his own ideas for the day, or a teen player really focused on being the best he could be in our sessions, Scott’s commitment allowed them to get the most out of their time at TOPSoccer.” 
-Rocky Fresh, 2018 USYS TOPSoccer National Coach of the Year

See Julie and Rocky surprise Scott at school with news of his big win!

 

Girls Competitive Coach of the Year: Brandon Mitalas

Club: Snohomish United

“Although Brandon has only been with our organization for a year, he
has made extraordinary contributions as his role of coach of the Regional Championship-winning Snohomish United U14 Girls, but also with his other two teams. Brandon has not only had success on the field, but has demonstrated
tremendous leadership and mentorship skills for all of his teams that he instructs.”
-Anthony Sardon, Snohomish United Director of Coaching

“I first met Brandon at Snohomish United tryouts in May 2018 and have had the fortunate opportunity of interacting with him on a weekly basis ever since in his role as the head coach of my older daughter’s Snohomish United G05 Black team. Prior to Brandon’s arrival at Snohomish United, his reputation preceded him. While multiple families from his previous club told us how lucky we were to be getting Brandon, the greatest compliment came when our longtime personal trainer reflected on his thoughts, then said, ‘There are very few coaches that I have encountered over my career that I would trust to coach my daughter. Brandon is one of them.'”
-Mark Shander

Boys Recreational Coach of the Year: Chris Anderson

Club: Northshore Youth Soccer Association

“Chris has coached my son (Justin Rigor, B06) for a few years now. During that time Justin has grown immensely as a soccer player, his skills have improved considerably each year, I am proud of his sportsmanship, and he loves playing the game much to the credit of his wonderful coach, and the camaraderie that he inspires in the team. Yes they are a great group of boys, who would have fun together regardless, but having Chris as their coach brings a fun, supportive, and competitive dimension to their play.”
-Ignatius Rigor

“Chris’ knowledge of the game is evident, and he has the unique ability to engage, energize, motivate, and enhance the skills of each and every player on his team(s). Chris runs a tight ship. The boys know what is expected of them, and it is understood that they are to give their best effort when they’re on the field. Chris has a unique ability to expect nothing less than the best of his players, while getting each player to focus on personal improvement. All this while having a blast competing with one another (the most important part)!”
-Greg and Kendra Lowe

Girls Recreation Coach of the Year: Bryan Smith

Club: Northshore Youth Soccer Association United Club

“Bryan Smith has coached our daughter Liana Wood for three years. He is outstandingly encouraging and caring. He never stops [trying] to build the whole team up, from the very beginning of the creation of Fusion FC to reaching 1st place in our REC soccer district. He has given his sweat, his excellent coaching skills, his heart and his devotion to the team.”
-Zoe Wood

“Bryan does an amazing job of creating a strong and positive team bond. All of the girls grew so much as players and as a team under his direction. We had many new players last season and the team was quickly working together just as they had the previous season. He treats all the players equally regarding individual coaching time and time on the field. He clearly finds great joy in seeing the growth of the players and gives them an opportunity to try new positions if that is their desire. Any player that wanted the opportunity to play attack or another position that wasn’t their usual position was given that opportunity. It was so fun to watch some of the newer players come into their own as their confidence grew over the season.”
-Kelly Sparkman