Virginia's Stephanie Myrick named US Youth Soccer Female Young Referee of the Year

The recipients of the 2009 US Youth Soccer Female and Male Young Referees of the Year award 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 Female Young Referee of the Year is Stephanie Myrick, of Woodbridge, Va., and the Male Young Referee of the Year is Kyle Kazmer of Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Stephanie Myrick (Woodbridge, Va.), a Prince William Soccer Referee Association referee, is known within Virginia Youth Soccer Association for her dedication, hard work and commitment to achieve the highest level of success as a referee. Stephanie began refereeing with PWSRA when she was 12 years of age. Her goal was to become a Grade 7 referee before she was 17, and she did that, becoming the youngest in the Virginia – Washington, D.C. area to achieve this grade. Myrick's experience ranges from competitive leagues and the Virginia State Championships to US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program tournaments and training camps, and she has been selected to referee the Region I Tournament in West Virginia next year. She also writes articles and speaks at referee meetings.

USSF National Referee Emeritus Doug Engstrom said, “Over the past 22 years, I have worked with, trained, and observed hundreds of USSF youth soccer referees in Virginia at every level of competition. I would rate Stephanie Myrick in the top 2 % in terms of maturity, knowledge, player management, physical fitness, persistence, common sense, growth potential, and desire to referee at the highest level in US soccer. She is one of the best I've ever seen. She is a WINNER.”

Prince William Soccer Head Referee Barry Sherry added, “Stephanie has worked hard to be the best referee that she can be. Being recognized at the State, Regional, and now, National levels simply demonstrates that others are discovering what we have known all along -- she is a very special person and a pretty good referee as well.”

Kyle Kazmer, of Thousand Oaks, Calif., began refereeing at age 11, moving up to a USSF referee at 13. Kazmer is currently a Grade 6 referee who has completed requirements for Grade 5. His time as a referee has taught him how to command respect and learn from others. Through the years, Kazmer has refereed various levels of play including the 2008 Region IV Championships, semi-pro MLS games and pre-season MLS games. Kazmer also places volunteerism at the top of his priorities and has traveled internationally for mission trips.

Recipients of the Young Referee of the Year awards are selected by the US Youth Soccer Board of Directors based on work ethic, knowledge of the rules of the game and influence as positive role models.

Through the Young Referee of the Year program, US Youth Soccer helps foster the development of referees for the future of soccer in the United States. Many of the leagues around the country would not be able to cover all of their games but not for the involvement of youth referees.

The regional winners of the 2009 US Youth Soccer Female Young Referee of the Year are:

*denotes national US Youth Soccer Young Referee of the Year

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

The Young Referee of the Year recipients are awarded for their dedication to the game, their outstanding personal accomplishments, serving as role models to other youth referees and players, and for their excellence as recognized by their adult referee peers and mentors.