Aleksei Roschko, NJYS Contributor (Photo by Cos Lymperopoulos)
New Jersey Youth Soccer continues its celebration of the NJYS Awards Presented by RWJBarnabas Health today, officially announcing Ryan Shute and Thea Spellmeyer as recipients of the 2023 Allan B. Sinclair Memorial Scholarship. Each year, this scholarship is awarded to one male and one female player in the NJYS system who demonstrated great leadership and commitment to community volunteer activities.
The Allan B. Sinclair Memorial Scholarship was established to honor the many contributions that Allan B. Sinclair made to youth soccer. Sinclair had an extensive career with NJ Youth Soccer, serving as NJYS President for nearly 25 years before working as the NJYS Executive Director from 2008-2012. His time and dedication to youth soccer was mostly done as a volunteer, not only in the state but also in the region.
Ryan Shute’s love for soccer began at the age of four, and his passion for the game has grown exponentially throughout his life. After winning a social media contest with the Philadelphia Union in 2016, Shute created a YouTube fan page for the Union after receiving permission from his parents. Since creating the channel, he has been presented with multiple opportunities to work for the club itself, and he has gained access to the press box and post-game interviews. Additionally, he also volunteers around his community with his club through the SJEB Adopt a Family holiday initiative. With that program, SJEB FC connects with the school district in Gloucester Township to assist families in need for the holidays.
“I am grateful to New Jersey Youth Soccer for awarding me this scholarship, which is named in honor of a man who was truly dedicated to the game and volunteered his time so generously to youth soccer in our state,” said Shute.
Thea Spellmeyer has been playing soccer since the age of three, and she has competed for different teams at various levels. She first played for Haddonfield Soccer Club from 2011-2018, helping her team win an NJYS State Cup. She then joined Real Jersey FC in 2019 and has contributed to much success for the club. Her team participated in US Youth Soccer (USYS) National League P.R.O and qualified for the 2022 USYS National Championships. Spellmeyer is also an active volunteer in the soccer community who enjoys supporting the Cherry Hill Soccer Club Kick or Treat Tournament, an event she remembers loving as a kid. She is also a Real JFC Club Representative for the Girls Academy Advisory Panel. She attends and runs a Real JFC club meeting each month, and she attends the Mid-Atlantic Conference Meeting as well. At those gatherings, she helps organize different fundraising and community service initiatives.
“I am proud and honored to be a recipient of the NJYS Allan B. Sinclair Memorial Scholarship,” said Spellmeyer. “Thank you to everyone involved with New Jersey Youth Soccer for dedicating so much time and effort to enabling kids to learn to love the game, have fun and make so many great memories. I am thankful for the opportunity to use my role as Real JFC Club Representative for the Girls Academy Advisory Panel to improve the soccer experience and to help create initiatives to give back to the soccer community.”
NJ Youth Soccer held its 2023 NJYS Annual Awards Dinner Presented by RWJBarnabas Health this past February, where many players, coaches and guests of the soccer community were on hand at the Pines Manor in Edison, N.J. With more than 1,000 attendees, the event saw a capacity crowd in attendance for the annual celebration.
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