Natick Soccer deeply appreciates and relies on a fantastic community of volunteers, and is proud to recognize the following heroes for their contributions to the NSC community. They have demonstrated how values and life skills can be taught and encouraged in our players through the game of soccer and have also made a positive, lasting impact on others. Please join us in congratulating our inaugural NSC Heroes!
Want to nominate a hero? Please send an email to: nscheroes@naticksoccer.org
Mark Charest, Coach, 5th grade boys
As a new coach, to soccer and to the travel program, we recognize Mark for stepping up to volunteer this spring when the need arose, fully embracing the role, investing time as both student and teacher of the game, and ultimately having a lasting, positive impact on his players.
“My son Brogan personally grew as a soccer player this season because he had a coach that saw his potential and gave him the confidence to be the best soccer player he could be. Mark was tough when he needed to be and set ground rules, but was always there to tell the kids what a great job they did. As my son Brogan says “Coach Mark is everything you want in a coach. He listens and he’s nice.” I couldn’t be happier for Mark – this award was well-deserved. I am so happy that Brogan had the opportunity to be coached by him.”
– Melissa Levey
Joey Maichen & Joey Shanno – TOPSoccer Core Volunteers, NHS Class of 2019
Natick Soccer recognizes these student volunteers for their long-term service to and leadership of the TOPSoccer program, a community-based soccer training program for all athletes with intellectual, emotional, and/or physical disabilities. NSC began to offer TOPSoccer to athletes in 2015 and now includes players from both Natick and surrounding towns. These volunteers have dedicated themselves to the program throughout their Natick high school years and have played a significant role in shaping the success story it is today.
“TOPSoccer has been a great experience for our daughter Jordan and for us all – a great opportunity to support friendships and exercise beyond the one day Special Olympics. It wasn’t long ago that we had to travel to neighboring and not so neighboring towns to find an inclusive and appropriate exercise program for her. To be able to do that in Natick with peers and friends from the community has been a gift. A very special thank you to both Joeys and all of the TOPSoccer volunteers. I hope this experience stays with you beyond high school and Natick. We will always remember what you gave to this program and to us.”
– Jody and Mike Robie
Grade 7/8 Girls Natick Nightmares & Grade 7/8 Boys Natick Redhawks
Coaches: Catherine Brunell, Derek Navisky, and Caleb Munson
Natick Soccer recognizes these teams for being the first NSC teams to engage with Soccer Without Borders, an organization which uses soccer as a vehicle for positive change, providing newcomer refugee, asylee, and immigrant youth with a toolkit to overcome obstacles to growth, inclusion, and personal success.
“We are grateful for the middle school teams from Natick Soccer Club who participated in our bridge building tournament with Soccer Without Borders. Though our organization is primarily focused on breaking barriers and building bridges for the newcomer youth we serve, we recognize the larger societal need for breaking barriers and building bridges between youth from different backgrounds. To do this, we rely on amazing partners, like Natick Soccer, who are not only aware of and sensitive to the unique challenges that immigrant youth and families face, but are also motivated enough to take action. Natick Soccer arranged the logistics for bringing their middle school teams, along with food and donations, to East Boston so that Natick Soccer and Soccer Without Borders participants could have an opportunity to get to know each other better through soccer. Thank you for your support, and we hope to do this again soon!”
– Lucas Holmes, Soccer Without Borders