Virginia’s Stephanie Myrick and Cal South's Kyle Kazmer honored at Awards Gala

FORT WORTH, Texas (Feb. 26, 2010) - 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.

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 and Recreation Coaches of the Year, Administrator of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Goal and Save 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.

Stephanie Myrick, of Woodbridge, Va., is known within Virginia Youth Soccer Association for her dedication, hard work and commitment to achieve the highest level of success as a referee. 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. She also writes articles and speaks at referee meetings.

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:

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

*denotes national US Youth Soccer Young Referee of the Year

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.