Published July 26, 2019

MELROSE — This past June, Melrose Youth Soccer presented six players with the newly established MYS Leadership and Sportsmanship Award.

More than 1,000 children participated in youth soccer this Spring with over 425 playing on a travel team.  The award is given to one player from each grade group in our travel program (Grade 3/4 Boys and Girls, Grade 5/6 Boys and Girls, Grade 7/8 Boys and Girls) selected among a group of players nominated by their coaching staff.

This award has been established to recognize players who distinguish themselves in demonstrating qualities of leadership and sportsmanship. The recipients of the award this year all displayed the characteristics and so much more as described in the submission from each of their coaches presented below.

THE WINNERS of the first MYS Leadership and Sportsmanship Awards were, from left, Ian Smith,
Cameron Orlandella, Ella Yorkey, Anne Bailey and Luke Worley. (Courtesy Photo)

Anne Bailey: Grade 7/8 Girls

Anne worked tiresomely all season to improve her footwork and skills. She inspired and motivated her teammates at the start of every game and especially at half time when they needed it most. If they were losing or just tired, Annie was there with a comment to cheer them up and get her teammates to push through to the final whistle.

Erin Regan: Grade 5/6 Girls

Erin stepped into the role of full-time goalie for our team and was able to immediately integrate herself into a well establish tight-knit group as if she had always been part of the team. Erin showed up physically for every game, missing other events and sports, and showed up mentally by consistently working hard; and she did this because of her strong commitment to the team. Erin was the player who grew the most over the course of the spring season and kept her head held high even when we went down early in several games.

ERIN REGAN

Ella Yorkey: Grade 3/4 Girls

Throughout this entire season, Ella has been the engine that makes our team go. She is extremely talented and makes everyone around her better. During the Commissioner’s Cup tournament, Ella was involved with all of our goals (one goal and two assists), created numerous other scoring opportunities and played lock down defense when we needed it to protect our lead.

Ian Smith: Grade 7/8 Boys

Ian is always first in, last out and drives the “we” not “I” in the group. He battled a nagging injury but pushed himself and ultimately drove the team with an exceptional performance in the Commissioner’s Cup tournament. He raised the bar for everyone and constantly met it.

Luke Worley: Grade 5/6 Boys

Luke Worley, our goalie, held opposing teams to just eight goals in the regular season. He’s a team player who encouraged others to excel during the season. In the Commissioner’s Cup tournament, he fought through injury to play three full games as goalie. Like all great goalies, he was the field general at all times and a true leader on the field.

Cameron Orlandella: Grade 3/4 Boys

Cameron was the ultimate “lead by example” player this year.  He was proficient in goal, on defense, and on offense.  He played whatever position the team needed him to play, no questions asked.  Most importantly, he was like a coach on the field at practice and games, inventing the motto “respect the ball, respect the coach” whenever his teammates were inattentive. He is the most mature player I had the pleasure to coach and will be a gift to whatever team he joins when he moves up to grade 5/6 next year.