February 5, 2005

Girls Coach of the Year
Robyn Bretzing

Robyn Bretzing's recent selection as the UYSA's Coach of the Year for Region IV is neither a fluke nor a surprise to the people who have been the beneficiaries of her incredible coaching talents and love of the sport of soccer. The coaching ranks of youth sports programs usually fall into two distinct categories: The coaches that have great technical knowledge and understanding of the game, and those that love their players and teach the great lessons of life through personal relationships with their players. Most of the time these two qualities are mutually exclusive. It is only rarely that a coach comes along that can combine these two elements of coaching to bring their team to the highest standards of excellence both on and off the field. Robyn Bretzing is one of those rare people.

Anyone that is lucky enough to witness the training sessions that Robyn puts on for her teams will immediately acknowledge the intimate understanding of the game of soccer that she has. Her practices are full of drills designed to teach the skills of soccer physically, emotionally, and intellectually. Like the "wax on, wax off" lesson taught by Mr. Miyagi in "The Karate Kid", Robyn's practices are full of intra-squad games and competitions that are designed to teach important skills both directly and subtly. Many times her players will work through a drill thinking it is teaching them some specific physical skill when in reality the drill is designed to achieve another important purpose. And the valuable attributes that make both teams and player's great, those unseen qualities like desire, fairness, commitment, friendship, unity, and dedication, are taught in every game, every practice, every party, and every event that Robyn's teams participate in.

Robyn has, most importantly, been a great example of womanhood and motherhood to the young women of her teams. She has always recognized and acknowledged that to be a great soccer player is a wonderful achievement, but to be a great person and a great woman is the most important thing. Robyn has had two children while coaching her present team, and has shown by example the importance of her role as a woman, mother, and wife. She has always demonstrated an incredible commitment to soccer, only to be outdone by her commitment to her husband and family. This type of role model will be the foundation of the true success of women's soccer in the future. The parents of the young women that have been impacted by this strong example recognize and appreciate the long-term effect it will have on their daughters.

With unmatched commitment to her team, Robyn has devoted her time and talents to make each member of her team love the game of soccer, love to win, love their teammates, and love themselves.