WSA Holds its annual Coach and Volunteer recognition event:
Wakefield Soccer recently held its annual Volunteer Appreciation and Awards event. This event allows the WSA board to say thank you to those who volunteer to bring 2 seasons of successful play to the community. The night was capped off with the presentation of several awards.
WSA Volunteer of the Year winner: Lynne O’Mara
This award is presented to a volunteer within WSA who has gone above and beyond in service to the membership and wider community.
Lynne in addition to being a dedicated coach transitioned from an at-large board member to take over as the Director of Fields and Facilities. The last year has provided additional challenges to this role with the High School under construction and field space impacted by the loss of Beasley field. Lynne worked year round to schedule space for a program with over 1,000 kids enrolled. This included coordinating with not only town officials but other youth sport organizations to ensure that WSA had the capacity to support the community.
WSA is extremely fortunate to have Lynne as a board member. She has exhibited exceptional organizational skills, the ability to find unique solutions for complex problems and being considerate of coaches' needs throughout the season. She has gone above and beyond her day to day activities to coordinate informational sessions to parents entering travel soccer. Through her dedication and hard work she was able to ensure that both the intramural and travel programs had sufficient field time to have a successful year. She is a benefit to coaches and players alike.
2026 Volunteer of the year recipient Lynne O'Mara with last years winner Josh Caplin
Sean Buckley Award: Angelo Pierri
This award is to recognize an individual(s) who demonstrates exceptional commitment to core values of sportsmanship including team building, equality, inclusion, perseverance, and respect.
Angelo is a long tenured coach in Wakefield, many years he has to balance coaching multiple teams in a season. His presence on the sideline can always be counted on to provide a calming atmosphere for his teams. He has been respected and appreciated by not only his players and parents but his peers as well. This was exhibited this year as he was nominated for this award multiple times.
As stated in his nomination “He is a positive person, treating his players with respect and helping them enjoy soccer…”. “He has put a tremendous amount of time into coaching at all levels, but especially with grade 8 boys teams… This requires a lot of time and effort and dealing with issues of all kinds. He does so with a positive attitude.” He deserves recognition as much or not more than the coaches of higher level teams.”
In addition to coaching his own teams, Angelo can always be counted on to assist others not directly affiliated with his team. This includes covering for other coaches when they cannot make a game, assisting WSA Director of Coaching on running drills, setting up fields. Always carrying himself with class and poise.
2026 Sean Buckley Award winner Angelo Pierri pictured with 2 of his players
Stephen De Garavilla Award: Jeff Giunta
This award is to recognize an individual who demonstrates exceptional commitment to holistic player development.
Jeff Giunta is a busy man during soccer season, coaching three separate teams this past season. Jeff’s dedication to his teams is truly impressive. Being able to be available on the field 10 hours a week, balancing work and family commitments takes a special person. He offers detailed analysis from the sideline to his players in a calm and constructive manner pointing out the finer details of the game. He is a great ambassador for WSA and a huge part of the program's success. As cited from his nomination “He has developed terrific soccer players but more importantly all of his players have developed a love for the game and a tight friendship with their teammates. I’m proud my son is able to play and learn from Jeff as his coach.”
2026 Steven De Gravilla winner Jeff Guinta with last year recipient Sharon Carlino
Pictured above many of the 2026 WSA volunteers in attendance of the event
(L-R) Tom Callahan (Secretary), Lynne O’Mara (Dir Fields & Facilities), Jeff Giunta (At Large), Sharon Carlino (At Large), Ashley Renzi (President), Kevin Kelley (Registrar), Kara McLellan (Dir Fundraising), Josh Caplin (Travel Director)
Missing from Photo: Nick Mathisen (Dir Technology), Colleen Kurti (Treasurer), Michael Kilkelly (Dir Referees & Risk), Mackenzie Arment (Technical Dir), Anne Miller (Admin), Shaun Newell (At Large), Jon Kokinda (Dir Equipment)
The night was a huge success and attended by numerous coaches/volunteers. Wakefield Soccer would like to acknowledge and thank the West Side Social Club for being gracious hosts and their continuous support.
WSA would also like to thank the families of Sean Buckley and Steven De Garavilla, two coaches who set the bar high and are the inspiration for these awards.
Thank you,
From the board of directors of Wakefield Soccer
To learn more about Wakefield Soccer including open board positions, volunteer opportunities and other ways to contribute please visit www.wakefieldsoccer.org