Lansing, MI, February 29, 2012: Raechel Conine of Leslie, MI, was recognized as 2011 Michigan Young Female Referee of the Year at the Michigan State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA) banquet in Southfield, MI on February 25, 2012. She traveled to Boston, MA for the February 17, 2012, US Youth Soccer’s (USYSA) National Awards Gala to receive the Region II award and was recognized as one of four nominees for the national award.
Conine was nominated by her local organization, Greater Lansing Area Soccer Referee Association (GLASRA). Alex Smith, GLASRA President, said, “Raechel worked incredibly hard for this award and continues our tradition of recruiting and training excellent referees.”
MSYSA selected Conine from nominees submitted by each of the state’s referee associations. It advanced her nomination to Region Il in which Michigan is one of 14 mid-West states.
Conine was selected for the Region II award based upon her involvement in Michigan Referee Academy, Region II Olympic Development Program (ODP), State Cup Finals, upgrading to a Grade 7 referee as well as her community service. She is the first Michigan referee to win this honor.
Region II forwarded her nomination to USYSA where she was one of four nominees presented by each US region.
Conine said of her Boston trip, “It was a great experience! I’m extremely honored to be recognized for something this big.”