In celebration of National Coaches Day this October, we’re highlighting the incredible coaches who make Soccer Shots the best part of a child’s week.
This year, we launched the Soccer Shots Coach of the Year Award, in partnership with Tree Top, Inc. The award recognizes the amazing coaches who bring our core values to life every day – caring for the children they coach, showing professionalism and commitment, and working together to make a lasting impact in their communities.
The response was overwhelming! Families, fellow coaches, and Franchise Partners submitted more than 2,500 nominations across the U.S. and Canada. Each one sharing a story of a coach who inspired and uplifted the children they serve.
Families described their coaches as:
“High energy, engaging, and compassionate. The coach included my other child with a disability from the sidelines and showed so much kindness toward all the children.”
“The coach knew every child’s name and made them feel seen and encouraged. My children talked about soccer all week because of the lasting impression it made on them.”
“My son absolutely loves his coach and can’t wait to see them every week.”
These quotes are just a snapshot of the countless words of appreciation shared by our Soccer Shots community.
From there, nominated coaches and their franchise teams submitted short videos and applications showcasing what makes their coaching experience so special.
Regional Finalists and Winners
Our evaluation committee carefully reviewed every submission to select this year’s regional finalists and winners.
Regional Finalists:
Geo Garcia – Memphis, TN
Ty Stitt – Oklahoma City, OK
Ben Hendrick – Southeast, PA
Tom Juckett – South Jersey, NJ
Matt Capenerhurst – Central, FL
Stevyn Carmona – Atlanta East, GA
Matthew Janke – Seattle, WA
Alejandro Jimenez – Seattle, WA
Zwannah Johnson – Sacramento, CA
Regional Winners:
Northeast – Regina Pepe (Passaic, NJ)
Southeast – Dany Cornejo (Charlotte, NC)
Central – Reid Battle (Memphis, TN)
West – Wyatt Neagle (LA Northeast, CA)
Canada – Zain Bux (Ottawa, ON)
These remarkable coaches represent the heart of Soccer Shots, helping children discover their strengths, build character, and have fun along the way.
2025 Soccer Shots Coach of the Year
Out of these incredible candidates, one coach stood out. From The Woodlands/Spring, Texas, our first Soccer Shots Coach of the Year is Coach Saul Molina.
Coach Saul has been part of the Soccer Shots family for more than eight years. His creativity and care shine through in everything he does – whether he’s trading Pokémon cards to build connections, speaking Spanish to help children feel at ease, or introducing Coach Bear, his stuffed-animal assistant who helps shy players join in.
His warmth, energy, and dedication perfectly represent what it means to be a Soccer Shots coach.
In July, we had the honor of recognizing Coach Saul at the 2025 Soccer Shots Convention in Charlotte, NC, where the entire room erupted in cheers and a standing ovation as he accepted his award. It was a true celebration of the positive impact he’s made on his players and community.
To learn more about Coach Saul and his incredible journey with Soccer Shots, click here.
2026 Coach of the Year
Do you know a Soccer Shots coach who goes above and beyond? Nominations for the 2026 Coach of the Year will open soon! Stay tuned for details on how you can recognize a coach who’s made a meaningful impact in your child’s life.
Thank you to all of our amazing coaches, for the countless ways you make a positive difference in your communities.
And to families looking to join the Soccer Shots community – click here find a location near you.