Ferndale Honors Volunteer Youth Soccer Coaches

The Ferndale Recreation Department recently announced that it has named Mindy and Dirk VanderMeer as its Volunteer Soccer Coaches of the Season.

"They have demonstrated great commitment, enthusiasm, and accomplishments towards our youth soccer program," the department wrote in a press release. "Mindy and Dirk treat players fairly, provide a safe and fun learning environment that not only leads by example but demonstrates fair play and sportsmanship."

Mindy and Dirk have volunteered to coach for the Ferndale Recreation Department for 14 years, the release states.

When asked why they volunteer, VanderMeer’s replied:

"We both played soccer growing up (Mindy in California and Dirk in New York) and  love playing and coaching. We started coaching to get our oldest daughter, who is 21 now. We really have a passion for developing a love for the game. It is a sport that everyone can have fun playing. (I play with women in their 60s who didn't start playing until their late 40s). We also love the kids (obvious, since we have 5)."

To honor the two coaches, both received a gift card to Como’s in Ferndale.

"A big THANK YOU to Mindy & Dirk VanderMeer from the Ferndale Recreation department," the release states. "We appreciate [their] time and dedication to the community of Ferndale and our youth soccer program. Special thanks to Como’sfor donating the gift card."

In March, the department named Mke Pozolo its Volunteer Basketball Coach of the Season.