SOCA Hires New Female Coach & Player Advocate
May 7th, 2022
SOCA Hires New Female Coach & Player Advocate
Marcelle Van Yahres takes on new role for the Soccer Organization of the Charlottesville Area.
Marcelle Van Yahres has joined the Virginia Soccer Alliance in a newly created position as Female Coach and Player Advocate. In her new role Marcelle is tasked with building an empowering female culture for women coaches and players in the sister clubs of SOCA and Skyline Elite. She will develop and implement programs that enrich the female coach and player experience throughout the organization.
Van Yahres is a long-time SOCA participant originating as a youth player for the organization prior to a collegiate career at the University of Tennessee. She holds a US Soccer National Coaching License and teaches at Charlottesville High School while coaching the Varsity Girls team there. Marcelle currently coaches the 2005 Skyline Elite Girls team and will also be co-coaching the 2010 girls this coming fall.
The Female Coach & Player Advocate role will serve as a liaison between female participants and club staff; facilitating communication, promoting female perspective, and developing the girls’ side of the organization. Van Yahres will mentor the Girls Academy Player Advisory Panel and implement programs such as the upcoming Girls Day at South Fork Soccer Park that celebrate women and girls in soccer. One of her first tasks is to form a women coaches council for all female coaches in SOCA and Skyline Elite.
You may welcome Marcelle to her new position at her email address: Marcelle.VanYahres@SOCAspot.org.
New Female Coach & Player Advocate, Marcelle Van Yahres said:
“I am excited for this opportunity to advocate for both female players and coaches. I look forward to providing a positive environment where females feel welcome and empowered; focused on building culture, creating leadership opportunities, and enriching the player and coach experience.”
Executive Director of the Virginia Soccer Alliance, Matt Wilson said:
“I’m pleased to be able to create this position for the organization and know that Marcelle is the perfect person for the job. Whether it be players or coaches, we encourage female leadership. We want women to invest themselves in our program and enjoy the many benefits of this great game. I am eager to support Marcelle as she promotes the female experience and encourages female coaches and players in their efforts.”
