South County Youth Soccer Club Coaching Award

The Alan Albergaria Coaching Award

About the award

Alan Albergaria, December 4, 1965 - March 27, 2020

Coaches are integral to our organization. Without them, we simply could not operate. They are the ones who make our mission of providing an enjoyable, safe and quality soccer experience for our kids a reality.

Coaches bring our vision of integrity, sportsmanship and teamwork to life.
And some do this effortlessly. With enthusiasm. With dedication. With passion.

Our coaches deserve to be celebrated. This is why, in 2021, we established the Alan Albergaria Coaching Award. This award is presented annually to a coach who has gone above and beyond for the children of South County and the South County Youth Soccer Club.

The coach who inspired the award

Encouraging. Persistent. Dedicated. Mentor.
These are just some of the words Alan’s players used to describe him. As a coach, Alan Albergaria never gave up on his players. He was a consistent role model both on and off the field.

Alan Albergaria coached soccer for over 30 years and was an integral member of our South County Youth Soccer Community. “Born into soccer”, his father Luis Albergaria, was one of the founders of our organization. Alan’s dedication to the sport led him to begin coaching in the 80’s - even before having children of his own.

Alan coached numerous teams in South County throughout the years, teaching youth to love the game of soccer but leaving them with so much more. The kids learned about hard work paying off, being reliable, showing respect, and to always keep learning. Alan brought out the best in his players – they knew how to work hard and play with heart because he coached with heart.

Playing soccer on Coach A’s team meant having fun while working hard. It meant learning to play together as a team with a shared goal. It meant lifelong friendships, and invaluable lessons for both on and off the field. Without trying, Alan became a mentor to so many children. He was a successful businessman who loved his family so much and he had all the characteristics of a great coach.

We are proud to honor Alan by naming our annual Coaching award after him. And we will continue to remember him as we present coaches with the Alan Albergaria Coaching Award for years to come.

Nominating and Awarding Coaches

Nomination Criteria
Each year any member of our Club can nominate a coach - past or present - to receive the coaching award.

Nominees must have volunteered as a coach for the SCYSC Recreational or Competitive program and should demonstrate the following attributes:

Commitment - to the sport, the Club and the players
Integrity - modeling and promoting honesty and respect for others
Sportsmanship - creating a positive competitive environment
Unity/teamwork - working towards a common goal while celebrating each individual’s strengths
Fun - having a great attitude, creating a caring climate, laughing a lot!

Selecting a Winner
The Director of Coaching will present all nominees to the Board of Directors in December. The Board of Directors will vote on a final recipient in January/February.

The award will be presented to the winner in February/March.

How to Nominate Someone
Send your nomination to our Director of Coaching, Mark Wholey, [email protected].

Please include the person's name and the reason(s) why the Coach is deserving of the award. Specific examples / anecdotes are encouraged.

Award Recipients

Michael Imbriglio, Oct 27, 1964 - Feb 7, 2021

2021: Michael Imbriglio

Michael coached youth soccer for 18 years. Coach Mike genuinely cared about pushing everyone to reach their fullest potential. On any team he coached, no child was left overlooked, without a ride, without cleats, shin guards, a ball, or anything else they needed to participate. No matter what the circumstance was, he made sure every child had the opportunity to play and gain values of teamwork, discipline, and respect that extended well beyond the game of soccer. Coach Mike volunteered to coach any team in need of a leader, regardless of age group, gender, or skill level. We are incredibly grateful he chose to be a part of our Club and are honored to present his family with the inaugural SCYSC Alan Albergaria Coaching Award.

2022: Ryan baird

Ryan began volunteering as a coach in North Kingstown more than ten years ago first with his son's teams, and then with his daughter's teams when she became old enough to play. In 2022 Ryan started a SCYSC U16 boys team that would enable seventeen South Kingstown kids to play locally with their friends in addition to playing with their premier/school teams. In addition to coaching the U16 Boys team, he has also coached U10-U12 girls futsal teams and led Winter Academy training for the Club for the past two winter seasons. When Ryan is not coaching for South, he is working with the Curtis Corner Middle School (CCMS) Boys Team and with his daughter’s Rams FC team, as an assistant coach for both teams.

Parents and players describe Coach Ryan as knowledgeable, positive, strategic, passionate, and caring. He is a positive role model and mentor and always takes the time to listen and support his players, thinking about their strengths and weaknesses and helping them become better players. One parent said, "Coach Ryan is a family and community person. Ryan represents South County Youth Soccer in the best way."

2023: Al DelLa bitta

Albert Della Bitta’s contributions to youth soccer have left an indelible mark on the community he’s touched. Earning his Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts in 1971, Al immediately joined the faculty at the University of Rhode Island, beginning a distinguished career in education. Beyond his academic achievements, Al’s devotion to soccer has spanned decades, where he wore many hats—as a coach, referee coordinator, director, and vice president for the South County Youth Soccer Club, where he was deeply involved for over 30 years. His commitment to the sport was further recognized through his induction into the Soccer Rhode Island and New England Halls of Fame as a referee, a testament to his skill, leadership, and passion. Al also played an integral role for years in the highly regarded Seaside Classic Soccer Tournament. He also served as de facto club historian and helped to maintain the club’s adherence to rules and regulations through the many changes in personnel he witnessed over his 30 years with the club.

Whether on the sidelines offering guidance to coaches and referees or simply enjoying the game during a men's league match, Al’s dedication to the growth of soccer and his community has been unwavering. His legacy as both a role model, mentor, and a beloved figure in the world of South County’s youth soccer is a lasting one, and his contributions inspire all who have had the privilege of working with him.