Published December 4, 2020
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—Melrose native Danielle DeSimone was recently named the 2020 Massachusetts Youth Soccer Girls Recreational Coach of the Year.
The Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association awarded DeSimone for her commitment and dedication to the young people in Melrose and her efforts in bringing the game to youth in a safe and nurturing environment. She was nominated by players, coaches and families in the Melrose Youth Soccer circuit. The Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association is planning to honor the players and individuals awarded in the near future.
DeSimone, a 2003 Melrose High graduate, grew up playing soccer for Melrose Youth Soccer and later for Melrose High School. Upon graduating from Stonehill College, she returned to Melrose to coach the high school freshmen team while establishing her career as a corporate events planner. In 2011, the Melrose Youth Soccer Board of Directors sought out Danielle as a midyear replacement coach for their Girls U14-1 team. DeSimone then joined the Melrose Youth Soccer Board of Directors in 2017 and her vision, knowledge, dedication and passion have been instrumental in growing the Board’s voice and impact.
That has culminated in her nomination by MYS and the award. DeSimone expresses gratitude for the honor. “I am deeply humbled and especially thankful to those who took the time to write nomination letters. MYS is an incredible volunteer led organization. Thank you to all of the dedicated past and current players for allowing me to be your coach.”
DeSimone displayed an early love of the game as a kid which has remained. “Growing up playing soccer was an outlet,” she says. “Even as a little kid, I loved running around chasing down the ball. In under eights, my MYS soccer coach would have an all-girl forward line and call it our team’s secret weapon. It’s my earliest soccer memory, and I’ve loved the game ever since.”
She also had a greater glimpse of the sport on a grander scale, thanks in part to her dad, former MHS girls’ soccer coach Bill DeSimone. “The 1999 Women’s World Cup was also a game changer. I was fortunate enough to attend five games at Foxborough Stadium with my dad and saw the USWNT beat North Korea. My dad also took me to a USWNT soccer practice one Sunday morning that summer. We got to see the women up close practicing and hanging out, and even got some autographs. The US Women won the World Cup that summer, and in my teenage mind they were the best role models.”
It only made sense to give back to the community that helped fuel her love of the sport. As a current volunteer coach for Melrose Youth Soccer’s U14-1 team, she’s now achieving that. “I loved having the chance to share my knowledge with the next generation. It’s so fun to get to know the girls and share in these formative years- not just as soccer players but people too.” Over the last ten years, coach Danielle’s teams have seen great success on the field, including three Massachusetts Tournament of Champions appearances. Her advice for kids pursuing the sport? “Find what you are passionate about…whether it’s soccer, piano, computer coding. If you are passionate about what you do then early morning and late nights won’t feel like work.”
