Vermont Soccer Officials Association Sportsmanship Awards  – The Bridge

The VSOA has announced that the Enosburg Falls Hornets Boys and U-32 Raiders Girls in the north and the Fair Haven Slaters Girls and Sharon Academy Phoenix Boys in the south are Vermont’s premier 2025 Sportsmanship teams. 

This year for the first time, following all regular season and tournament games, each referee rated both teams on the sportsmanship behavior of the players, coaches, fans, and on-site administrative support. Vermont officials worked over 1,700 games this fall. 

“Congratulations to the teams selected for the 2025 VSOA inaugural Sportsmanship Award,” said Marvin Pritchard, president of the Vermont Soccer Officials Association. “The school, community, and soccer official relationship that you have developed is a model for others to emulate in the future. You have been chosen by soccer officials who respect your passion for the game while always exhibiting the highest level of sportsmanship.” 

Eric Evans, who assigns all games for SVL officials had this to say: “With the prevalence of social media, reports of poor sportsmanship nationwide in soccer are well documented. It is refreshing to see Vermont high school soccer be immune to this trend through the efforts of the VPA, ADs, and especially the players and coaches. It is fitting that the VSOA recognize those schools who represent Vermont high school soccer at its best.” 

The athletic directors of the Sportsmanship Award-winning Enosburg Falls, U-32, Sharon Academy, and Fair Haven teams were notified recently and are now organizing events at their schools honoring their teams. VSOA officials will attend and present the teams with a banner and certificates.