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AYSO Presents HS Award at NSCAA Convention

1/18/2013 9:51:01 AM

Coach Jeff Farnsworth is the 2013 recipient of the Robert W. Robinson High School Long Term Service Award. This prestigious high school coaching honor is sponsored by AYSO and presented at the NSCAA Convention.

Jeff received the award on Friday, Jan. 18, at the 2013 NSCAA Awards Banquet during NSCAA's annual convention in Indianapolis, Ind.

Farnsworth has been coaching for almost 30 years in New York for Spencerport High School, the New York Olympic Development team, Genesee Community College and more. He has also been on the NSCAA Convention Committee and NSCAA Awards Committee Chairman since 1992.

Farnsworth has coached many players throughout his career, and he says spotting players he'd like to coach comes down a few things. "Like coaches at all levels, I looked for players with integrity, a great work ethic, a desire to succeed and a positive attitude," he shares.

“But as a high school coach, it was important to have the perspective that I was giving kids an opportunity to belong and learn. The experience of participating was very important. Not simply winning, but educating kids! Winning is always an important goal, but teaching the game and life skills was the focus.”

The “Robby” is named in honor of Robert W. “Robby” Robinson, a now-retired Philadelphia area high school coach who has touched virtually every aspect of the NSCAA. An NSCAA Hall of Famer, he is a past president of the organization and received the Honor Award in 1999. Each year, the NSCAA presents this award to a person who has raised interscholastic soccer to new heights through his or her long-term dedication to the game. This is the second year that AYSO has sponsored the award.

 

Photo: From left to right: Scott Gimple (AYSO Director of Player Development & National Events), Robert W. Robinson (namesake of the award), Jeff Farnsworth (award winner) and Ralph Polson, (president of the NSCAA)