McLean Youth Soccer Coaches Earn Top Honors

The recent announcement of the Golden Globes nominations has heralded the start of awards season, and it is also award season for the soccer community. Two members of the McLean Youth Soccer family have been recognized with two of the top honors! The club is thrilled to announce that Clyde Watson, MYS Technical Director, has been selected to be inducted into the Virginia-DC Soccer Hall of Fame for his contributions to the soccer community, and Coach Jamil Walker, coach of the 00 Boys Green, has been honored as the 2014 NSCAA National Boys Youth Coach of the Year.

The Virginia Youth Soccer Association and the Metro DC Virginia Soccer Association recognizes Coach Watson because of his ‘accomplishments and contributions in helping to build soccer in Virginia and DC.’ With more than 28 years of professional coaching experience, Clyde Watson is a familiar figure in D.C. area soccer. A prominent member of the Guyana Men’s National Team for more than 10 years, Watson graduated from Clemson University, where he was All ACC all four years. Watson served as assistant coach of the Washington Warthogs, Coach of the University of the District of Columbia, and as assistant coach of the WPS’s Washington Freedom from 2001-2010. Clyde was named NSCAA 2007 Youth Girls National Coach of the Year, USYS 2011 Region I Girls Competitive Coach of the Year, and VYSA 2011 Virginia Girls Competitive Coach of the Year. He was also named 1998 Boys Youth Virginia Coach of the Year. He has coached teams to 13 USYS Virginia State Cups, three USYS Region I Championship titles, a USYS National Finalist title (2011, McLean MPS Strikers), and the coveted USYS National Championship title (2007, McLean MPS Freedom). Clyde holds a USSF “B” License, a UEFA “A“, NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma, and a National Youth License. Coach Watson is selected in the Meritorious Category in the Fifteenth class of inductees of the Virginia-DC Soccer Hall of Fame, and joins fellow inductees and MYS staff members Ken Krieger (2010), Cindi Harkes (2008) and John Harkes (2006).

The NSCAA is dedicated to recognizing quality youth coaches at the regional and national levels through its Youth Coach of the Year Program. The program is open to all members of the NSCAA Member Club Program who may nominate a coach deserving of regional and/or national recognition. Nominees are selected by the NSCAA committee based on their dedication to the total development of players, creation of an environment conducive to learning and having fun, and their commitment to being a quality teacher of the game. Coach Jamil Walker is the head coach of the 00 Boys (U14) Green team, and has led the team to incredible success. The team is currently ranked #1 in the country by GotSoccer. A former MLS player, Coach Walker has over 12 years experience coaching youth soccer, and holds a USSF National A license. Technical Director, Clyde Watson shares this praise about Coach Walker’s commitment to the youth: “Coach Walker has used his professional soccer playing experience to impact the kids in a very positive way. His simplistic approach to teaching the game has really resonated with the kids on his team. Combined with the belief that the path to success lies in hard work , he has a group that revels in playing simple soccer and working hard for each other.”

MYS Executive Director, Louise Waxler, praises the coaches: “McLean Youth Soccer congratulates coaches Clyde Watson and Jamil Walker in recognition of their many contributions to the game of soccer. To be acknowledged by the VA/DC Soccer Hall of Fame and the NSCAA is a much-deserved achievement for they embody excellence in the sport by demonstrating passion and dedication to their work. I am certain that their passion for the game will enrich the lives of the young athletes with whom they work daily. Because of them, these players, too, will love the game as much as Clyde and Jamil!”

Coach Watson’s induction ceremony will take place during the annual VYSA Convention on January 31, 2015 in Crystal City, VA. Coach Walker’s induction ceremony is scheduled during the NSCAA Convention, January 14-18, 2015 in Philadelphia, PA.

Congratulations to Coach Watson and Coach Walker!

http://www.mcleansoccer.org/news_article/show/458093?referrer_id=41056