Ash Mohtadi of the Comox Valley has received a BC Soccer Award of Merit for his long-time dedication to youth soccer.
The Awards of Merit recognize individual contributions to soccer during a period of 10 or more years as a player, manager, coach, official, or administrator at the club, league or district level. Mohtadi spent seven years coaching with the Comox Valley United Soccer Club, and five years with the Upper Island Riptide, with which he continues as a technical team member. He is also in his second year as an assistant coach with the Vancouver Island University (VIU) women’s soccer program in Nanaimo.
He received a plaque at an awards ceremony hosted by BC Soccer.
“I was surprised, thrilled and humbled to be part of a fantastic group of men and women honored for their dedication to the development of soccer in B.C. and throughout Canada,” said Mohtadi, a talented player and goalkeeper. “What’s more, I couldn’t be happier to be part of all the great youth development that was happening when I got to the Comox Valley just over a decade ago, and continues today. I am just one of many doing their best to support youth soccer development.”
Riptide soccer players compete in the Vancouver Island Premiere League. The program’s director of soccer operations, Shel Brodsgaard, says Mohtadi is an integral part of the Riptide technical team, and an invaluable asset to the game.
“Ash has a passion for the game which he is willing to share and promote with all players and coaches,” Brodsgaard said. “Several of the players Ash coached with the Riptide have gone on to play post-secondary soccer with great success, and many of our coaches have benefitted from his expertise through the years. It is an honour and a privilege to have Ash involved with our program and we are very grateful for the time he contributes.”
Four Riptide graduates are on the VIU Mariners squad that won the Pacific Western Athletic Association (PacWest) championship. The girls have a crack at a national title this weekend at the Coquitlam campus of Douglas College.
“As assistant coach to the VIU women’s team on our way to the CCAA National Championships, it’s a thrill to see some of the girls I coached as a U8 player now playing and having fun at the university level,” Mohtadi said.
“This is what it’s all about.”
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