Webster Soccer Association (WSA) coach Bob Johnson has been recognized by U.S. Youth Soccer and Liberty Mutual with the 2007 “Responsible Coaching Award” for New York State. Johnson was selected based on his ability to exhibit a high level of coaching competence, achieve and maintain excellence on the field, and demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the well-being and development of athletes off the field.

Because Johnson places character, sportsmanship, and the young athletes’ well-being before wins, he has earned recognition and funding by U.S. Youth Soccer and Liberty Mutual. Liberty Mutual will present WSA with a $500 grant as a result of Johnson’s “Responsible Coaching Award”.

 

"The Responsible Sports program celebrates the dedication and selflessness of youth coaches who give of themselves to teach our children the rules of sport and fair play, and, in many cases, the rules of life," said Greg Gordon, vice president of Consumer Marketing at Liberty Mutual.

 

Launched in September 2007, ResponsibleSports.com is an online community developed by Liberty Mutual — in partnership with the Positive Coaching Alliance, U.S. Youth Soccer and USA Football — that features advice, online discussions, toolkits, and proven best practices for parents and coaches who seek to foster positive sporting experiences for kids.

 

For the past 15 years, Johnson has volunteered with all three of his sons’ WSA teams. Currently he is the head coach for the BU15 Gold and assistant coach for the BU17 Green WSA teams.

 

In 2007, Johnson led two WSA teams to successful seasons — Division-1 champion BU16-Green (as assistant coach) and the Division-3 champion BU14-Gold (as head coach). In 1999 and 2007, he organized and took two WSA BU16 teams to Germany for 13-day soccer trips. In November 2007, Johnson was awarded “Boys Coach of the Year – 2007” by New York State West Youth Soccer Association (NYSWYSA) for his outstanding achievement and unwavering commitment to coaching and developing youth soccer players.

 

Johnson has also worked for the past seven years as a Program Assistant with the Webster Thomas High School Boys’ Soccer program, supporting all four levels (modified, freshman, junior varsity, and varsity) of play. In 2007, Johnson was awarded “Section V Assistant Coach of the Year” for his work with the Thomas boys’ soccer program.

 

Johnson holds a USSF “D” License. He continues to play soccer with Still Sporting in the Rochester District League Over-40 Division. He and his wife Paula reside in Webster with their four children.

 

WSA is home to excellent soccer programs at every age group in Recreational Soccer, Micro Soccer, Player Development, Travel soccer, and adult leagues. Additional information can be found at www.webstersoccer.com.