It is my honor and privilege to nominate Coach Amy R. for SPVJSA Coach of the Year. Amy is currently the coach for Rose LL Rocky Hill.
In 2015, when our daughter Natalie was looking forward to her first year of playing soccer, we learned that the Liberty Lake U-5 girls team had no one volunteer to act as a coach for a very enthusiastic group of new little soccer players. Although Amy had experience in other sports, such as tennis, running events, and triathlons, she had never played organized soccer and had never coached a team in any sport.
Without hesitation, she signed on as the head coach, enlisted the help of a team parent (he also had no experience in coaching soccer), and then she literally hit the ground running. Amy spent countless hours researching all things soccer, watching instructional videos related to skills and techniques, and studying the rules of the game. She reached out to more experienced coaches and attended SPVJSA clinics for advice regarding practice, and put her personal touch on what she learned. Recently, as a result of her coaching experience, she has incorporated foot skills, agility, and fitness training as an added bit of practice for her players.
In summary, Amy took the lead and built the team from the ground up. Since that first year, she has grown as a soccer coach, made new friends, and inspired that little group girls to embrace their potential and play with heart and with integrity. She encourages them to follow their dreams, to play with intensity and drive, and to always treat others with respect.
I have watched as Amy has chased her team up and down the field, dried tears, tied shoes, and encouraged her players to always do their best, even when it seems the deck is stacked against them. At every practice, and at every game, Amy demonstrates her limitless passion for the program and her willingness to make sacrifices to see it succeed.
Amy excels at supporting each and every one her players as only a “Mama Bear” can. All of this, while maintaining a full time job, and her role as a wife and mother of two very active young ladies.
Although Amy is my wife, my nomination of her for Coach of the Year is based upon the details listed above. All of these traits can also be supported by her former assistant coach, Jared, her current assistant coach Scott, all of the parents she has met, and most importantly, the soccer players she has had the opportunity to coach over the past four seasons.
Amy’s passion for coaching, her ability to motivate her players, and her dedication to the sport are all traits that the Spokane Valley Junior Soccer Association should strive for in a coach.
Below was submitted by her previous co-coach.
I understand Amy has been nominated for coach of the year. I was her former co-coach until the birth date rule changed. Amy loves working with the girls. She does not have a soccer background but has studied the game to be able to properly teach the girls. She is willing to accept any situation and make it work. She also is extremely detail oriented and doesn’t miss anything on game days and makes sure the girls have the best opportunity to play their best game. Whether it be weather related, missing equipment related or 5-8 year old meltdown related she has something ready to make the situation great.
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