FORT WORTH, Texas (Feb. 26, 2010) - The recipients of the 2009 US Youth Soccer adidas Recreation Coach of the Year award for Boys and Girls were announced tonight at the US Youth Soccer Awards Gala, held in conjunction with the 2010 US Youth Soccer adidas Workshop at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas. The national Recreation Coaches of the Year award winners are Darrell Lemmerman of Northboro, Mass., (Girls) and Jackie Zlokovich of Crescent City, Calif., (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 1,000 in attendance. Boys and Girls Competitive Coaches of the Year, Administrator of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Goal and Save of the Year, Male and Female Young Referee of the Year, TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year and the Dr. Thomas Fleck Award were also presented during the Gala and the US Youth Soccer Hall of Fame inductees were honored as well.

Darrell Lemmerman, of Northboro, Mass., has been coaching for over 10 years and in that time has instilled a strong work ethic and sense of sportsmanship within his players. He places winning second and individual player development first for his teams in Nashoba Valley. Lemmerman's players attest that in the 10 years he has been coaching their team, every practice has been fun and enjoyable. Lemmerman tailors drills based on players' individual strengths and weaknesses to help them achieve their personal goals for improvement.

Jackie Zlokovich, of Crescent City, Calif., has been coaching for over 20 years, impacting the lives of players and parents. She focuses on fundamentals, good sportsmanship and respect. When her soccer association was short on coaches, she recruited other parents and taught them the skills they needed to become a coach. Because of this, no child has been turned away from Del Norte Youth Soccer for a lack of coaches. Zlokovich is known for her dedication to the welfare and education of her players.

Recipients of the Recreation 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 2009 US Youth Soccer adidas Girls Recreation Coaches of the Year are:

The regional winners of the 2009 US Youth Soccer adidas Boys Recreation Coaches of the Year are:

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

For bios on each of the regional award winners, click here.

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 Recreation 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 about the US Youth Soccer Awards Gala and award winners, go to USYouthSoccer.org/workshop/galaawards.

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