US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Award Winners
The annual winners of the US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Coach of the Year and Buddy of the Year awards have been announced ahead of the NSCAA Convention set to be held next month. The national award winners will presented at the US Youth Soccer Awards Gala on January 13th in conjunction with the NSCAA Convention.
Youth Soccer News: US Youth Soccer has announced the regional winners of the 2016 US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Coach of the Year and Buddy of the Year awards.
The Coach of the Year award honors an extraordinary TOPSoccer Coach who shows leadership while assisting, guiding, directing and teaching the game of soccer through a fun learning experience.
The Buddy of the Year award honors a role model who creates a fun learning experience as a mentor, advocate, coach or administrator.
US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a community-based training and team placement program for youth players with disabilities.
The national award winners will presented at the US Youth Soccer Awards Gala on Friday, January 13th, at 7:30 p.m. PT, as part of the US Youth Soccer Workshop in Los Angeles. The event will be held in conjunction with the NSCAA Convention.
US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Coach of the Year bios:
Region I – Beth Keeling – Chepachet, R.I.
Beth Keeling has a unique way of connecting to children with special needs. Keeling actively communicates with public schools in her area to enlist students who are willing to volunteer their time to work with special needs children. As a TOPSoccer coach, it is Keeling’s responsibility to teach players how to socialize and learn the game of soccer during the process.
Region II – Randy Corey – Mason, Ohio
Randy Corey’s coaching style was described as “a combination of love for the kids while providing solid direction of teaching them the fundamentals of the game”. Making new TOPSoccer players, families, volunteers and other coaches feel welcome is the focus of Corey. One of his greatest achievements is the largest annual TOPSoccer Fall Tournament in the nation.
Region III – Katie Steinert – Birmingham, Ala.
With a background in soccer and special education, Katie Steinert has been an integral part of the TOPSoccer program. Steinert demonstrates leadership in the community by promoting TOPSoccer wherever she goes. She takes the time to make each individual player feel special and wanted within the program.
Region IV – Linda Kautz – Snohomish, Wash.
For the past 16 years, Linda Kautz has been involved with Snohomish TOPSoccer. When the program first launched there were only a few players. Now, there are more than 80 individuals involved with the program. As an active board member and director of the club’s TOPSoceer program, Kautz treats everyone with the same patience, kindness and respect. The SYSC TOPSoccer program is the longest-running and largest TOPSoccer program in the state of Washington.
US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year bios:
Region I – Patrick D. Casey – Nokesville, Va.
Patrick D. Casey is a positive role model for many TOPSoccer athletes. Forming a relationship with each athlete has been a main priority for him during is five years volunteering with the organization. Casey is a nationally certified TOPSoccer coach and a summer camp TOPSoccer coach. Casey has a 4.1 GPA and he is in the top 10 percent of his class.
Region II – Larissa Marielle Seibt – Chicago, Ill.
A TOPSoccer Buddy for the past six years, Larissa Marielle Seibt was one of the original buddies for Chicago TOPSoccer. She is a four-year varsity starter and captain of her high school soccer and swim teams. Seibt has a passionate interest in helping others succeed and improve their knowledge and skill set on the field. Seibt is a member of the National Honor Society at her high school.
Region III – LeAnne Davison – Greenville, S.C.
LeAnne Davison has been a TOPSoccer Buddy for three years, and she was selected as one of 16 rising high school seniors to participate in Furman University’s Emerging Public Leaders program. Davison a high school senior and is ranked No. 1 in her class. She is recognized as a Clemson Scholar, a Wofford Scholar and a Furman Scholar. LeAnne is also a grade eight USSF referee and was invited to attend the 2016 US Youth Soccer ODP camps as a referee.
Region IV – Petra Azar – Santa Ana, Calif.
With a smile on her face and always offering a helping hand, Petra Azar has a great relationship with her players and coaches as a TOPSoccer Buddy. Azar is known to be early to every practice and game as well as always offering words of encouragement to her players. Off the field, Azar is a volunteer in the city of Anaheim and a member of the National Honor Society at her high school.
