Local soccer player, and coach Andy Wyatt, who coaches several local teams, was accorded a singular honor recently at the Sask. Soccer season wind-up in Saskatoon recently. Wyatt, an avid fan, player and coach currently coaches an Under 6 team in the local grassroots league, an Under 6 team in the local future stars program, the Under 12 boys, a travelling competitive team, a recreational Under 12 boys' community league team as well as helping out with the local men's team.
His commitment to the sport, Wyatt was nominated as Grassroots Coach of the Year, an award he received at the Sask. Soccer year end awards banquet.
"It definitely feels good to be recognized by my peers and by Sask. Soccer," Wyatt admits. "The award is a nice recognition for all the people who have helped me learn to be a coach," he adds.
Wyatt recalls playing soccer as long as he can remember, growing up in B.C. When he came to Saskatchewan, soccer wasn't as popular in the province. "It was only indoor soccer, no outdoor soccer, if you can believe that," he remembers.
Wyatt recalls playing indoor soccer in Yorkton and remembers one of his first coaches in Yorkton was John Ryder from Sacred Heart High School.
He continued playing both indoor and outdoor soccer at university. On his return to Yorkton, Wyatt kept playing soccer and began coaching in 1999. He was player coach with the men's team in Yorkton for many years and continues to assist to the present day.
Wyatt claims to love the sport and would like to continue until they cart him off the field in a wheelchair. That said, he admits he misses more men's games because of his attending to his coaching duties with younger players. "When there was a conflict, it used to be I would continue to play and try to find someone else to coach but now the men's team definitely doesn't need me anymore so now I focus on coaching the youth teams," Wyatt says.
He thanks all the coaches who've worked with him and helped him to learn about coaching over the years.
Adam Fetsch who nominated him for the award says Wyatt has been involved in coaching all levels of soccer locally right from the grassroots teams and up to the men. "His dedication to all levels has been outstanding and he's been tireless in giving his effort," says Fetsch.
He nominated Wyatt for the grassroots award because that's where the fun and dedication to the game starts, with those little ones, Fetsch suggests.
Fetsch also suggests it was an easy win for Wyatt. He has done a lot to make Yorkton recognized as an important soccer community, especially now since local teams have won several gold medals at provincials this year alone. "It's a testament to what he's begun and done," Fetsch closes.
