US Youth Soccer adidas Girls and Boys Competitive Coaches of the Year Named

Massachusetts' Michael Elster and Georgia's Yon Struble honored at Awards Gala

The recipients of the 2007 US Youth Soccer adidas Competitive Coach of the Year were announced tonight at the US Youth Soccer Awards Gala, held in conjunction with the 2008 US Youth Soccer adidas Workshop at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, in Pittsburgh. The national adidas Competitive Coaches of the Year award winners were Yon Struble of Alpharetta, Georgia (Girls) and Michael Elster of Sutton, Massachusetts (Boys).

Hilary Kennedy, host of The US Youth Soccer Show on Fox Soccer Channel, set the stage for the night as the master of ceremonies for the more than 1,200 in attendance. This was the first year that US Youth Soccer split the Coach of the Year award two categories (competitive and recreational). Several awards were also added including Administrator of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and Goal and Save of the Year. The Male and Female Young Referee of the Year and the Dr. Thomas Fleck Award were also presented during the Gala along with the charter member of the US Youth Soccer Hall of Fame.

Yon Struble, from Alpharetta, GA, coaches for the Norcross Soccer Academy. He has also coached US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (US Youth Soccer ODP) for nine years. In 2005, Struble's 1989 Georgia US Youth Soccer ODP Girls team placed third at the US Youth Soccer ODP National Championships. Struble lives by a strong value system and he expects his players to display strong character too. He inspires his players to improve themselves and their game. In his first two years with the team, the team advanced a level knowing the benefits of the challenge would help the players. He knew that move would continue to challenge his players, and with training they improved.

Michael Elster, from Sutton, MA, coaches for the Sutton Youth Soccer Club. Elster puts a lot of time and effort into his practices. He reviews previously taught skills at the beginning of practice before moving onto new techniques. Elster challenges and motivates his players to learn and play the game. Also, Elster organized a very successful tournament to raise money for a young girl to receive important medical care. Elster has taken the time to improve his coaching by continuing his education through coaching courses and the US Youth Soccer adidas Workshop.

Recipients of the Competitive Coach of the Year awards are selected by the US Youth Soccer Board of Directors on the basis of sportsmanship, player development, personal coaching development and community involvement (citizenship).

The regional winners of the 2007 US Youth Soccer adidas Girls' Competitive Coaches of the Year are:

Region I	John P. Dawyot	Landenberg, PA	Delaware Youth Soccer Association
Region II	Huw Williams	Shawnee Mission	Kansas State Youth Soccer Association
Region III	Yon Struble*	Alpharetta	Georgia Youth Soccer Association
Region IV	Pat Hanley	Anchorage	Alaska State Youth Soccer Association

The regional winners of the 2007 US Youth Soccer adidas Boys' Competitive Coaches of the Year are:

Region I	Michael Elster*	Sutton	Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association
Region II	Lars Richters	Farmington	Michigan State Youth Soccer Association
Region III	Brian Harvey	Oklahoma City	Oklahoma Soccer Association
Region IV	David Newman	Bountiful	Utah Youth Soccer Association

*denotes national US Youth Soccer adidas Competitive Coach of the Year

These coaches have committed to continued education and self-sacrifice to give back to the sport they love with the hope that they might enhance one of their players abilities and quality of life. US Youth Soccer and adidas are proud to highlight these Competitive Coaches of the Year for their time and efforts in contributing to America's youth through the great game of soccer. By promoting teamwork, discipline, fitness and fair play these coaches are making a difference.

For more information, please log on to www.USYouthSoccer.org.