#rigso

[riilsports]

RI Girls Soccer Officials president Al Ricci provides this recap of the RIGSO Sportsmanship Awards Dinner, in which East Greenwich, Portsmouth and Central Falls were recognized.

On Saturday January 27th, the Rhode Island Girls Soccer Officials held their annual Sportsmanship awards dinner.

Every fall soccer season, the RI Girls Soccer Officials recognize 3 teams for their outstanding sportsmanship during the fall high school soccer season. One team is selected from D1, D2 and D3/4 respectfully.

RIGSO has been giving the sportsmanship award for many years. Our organization, along with RIIL and NFHS wish to recognize teams that exemplify the positive values of the classroom to field experience.

After every match, the game officials rate each team from 4- Excellent to 1-Poor. Factors include sportsmanship of the players, coaches, and spectators. It is very evident that the 3 schools share one thing in common, a strong culture for positive values.

In D1, East Greenwich high school received the Maddie Potts memorial sportsmanship award. This is the 4th consecutive year that EG won this award. The award is named after Maddie Potts, a dynamic multi-sport student athlete at Chariho High School who passed away during her senior year at Chariho. Maddie exemplified the strong positive values of dedication, determination, and sportsmanship. It is in her honor that the Rhode Island Girls Soccer Officials recognize girls’ soccer teams that embody those values.

Pictured below are L-R Al Ricci RIGSO president, coach Nicole Bush, Senior captain from EG ,Teaghan Bristol, senior captain from EG, Julia Moore, head coach Karen Lockhart, Stefine and Dan Potts, Maddie’s mom and dad.

In D2, Portsmouth High School received the Gianna Cirella memorial sportsmanship award. The award is named after Gianna Cirella. Gianna was a dynamic multi-sport student athlete at Toll Gate High School who passed away at the young age of 16. Gianna exemplified the strong positive values of friendship, teamwork, dedication and sportsmanship. It is in her honor that the Rhode Island Girls Soccer Officials recognize girls’ soccer teams that embody those values.

Pictured below are: RIGSO president Al Ricci, Skip and Tara Cirella, Gianna’s parents, Portsmouth coach James Nott, Portsmouth senior captains , Kaelyn Mahoney, Sophia Harousos, Lilt Ferreira and head coach of Portsmouth girls soccer ,Erin Hulse.

Portsmouth also won the D2 championship this season.

In D3/4 Central Falls High School received the Jack Breetveld memorial sportsmanship award. Jack Breetveld was a long-time soccer official who spearheaded the development of soccer in the state of Rhode Island . Jack's vision in the early days of soccer, stressed the positive values of dedication, determination and good sportsmanship. It is in his honor that the Rhode Island Girls Soccer Officials recognize girls soccer teams that embody those values.

Pictured below are Central Falls head coach Roberto Vargas and RIGSO president Al Ricci.

The Rhode Island Girls Soccer Officials wish to thank all the schools who participated in the fall high school soccer program. It was one of the most exciting and memorable seasons we have seen in many years.

[riilsports]

R.I. Girls Soccer Officials recognize East Greenwich, Woonsocket and Narragansett with Sportsmanship Awards

BY AL RICCI

President, Rhode Island Girls Soccer Officials

     In March 2022, the Rhode Island Girls Soccer Officials presented their annual awards for outstanding sportsmanship during the 2021 Girls Soccer season. The awards were given to schools in three divisions. D1 – East Greenwich High School, D2 – Woonsocket High School, D3/D4 – Narragansett High School.

      During the girls soccer regular season games, the girls soccer officials are asked to rate the sportsmanship shown by each school. This includes the players, coaches and spectators. At the end of the season all of the ratings are tabulated and the winners are chosen.

      Each award is named after a former player or official whom exemplifies the passion for the sport, the dedication to their peers and the outstanding qualities of sportsmanship and leadership.

    In Division One, The Maddie Potts memorial sportsmanship award was presented. Maddie was a Chariho high school soccer and lacrosse player. She passed away unexpectedly in 2017. Maddie’s positive attitude, her dedication to her school, teammates and community were legendary.

     The award was presented to East Greenwich High School by Stephanie Potts, Maddie’s mom. Stephanie’s presentation was moving and heartwarming. A lot of hugs and tears followed. Accepting the award, pictured below, are players (in no particular order): Sofia Barnes, Eva Dufresne, Riley Gopalakrishnan, Gracie Kauffman, and Siena Potorski. Head coach Karen Lockhart and Stephanie Potts. The Rhode Island Girls Soccer Officials was represented by association president Al Ricci.

     In Division Two, the Gianna Cirella memorial sportsmanship award was presented. Gianna was a Toll Gate High School soccer player who passed away also in 2017. Gianna exemplified the true aspects of sportsmanship and determination. Her bright smile and uplifting personality endures to this day at Toll Gate High School and the local community.

     The award was presented to Woonsocket High School by Tara Cirella, Gianna’s mom. Tara’s presentation touched many in the Woonsocket High School community and emphasized true sportsmanship and dedication to school, home and community. Accepting the award, pictured below, are players from the 2021 Woonsocket Girls Soccer team. Also pictured are Tara Cirella ( on the right) and Woonsocket High Athletic Director Nancy Giordano.      The Rhode Island Girls Soccer Officials was represented by association executive board member Freddy Silva.

     In Division Three/Four, the Jack Breetveld memorial sportsmanship award was presented. Jack was a soccer official for over 50 years who passed away in 2018.  He was a true pioneer in the sport, bringing his love for the game to the US from his native Netherlands. His passion for fair play and outstanding sportsmanship touched a multitude of players, coaches and officials throughout Rhode Island, the United States and parts of Europe.

     The award was presented to Narragansett High School by Rhode Island Girls Soccer Officials past president, Joe DiLorenzo. Joe touched on how Jack Breetveld’s dedication to the sport and the community still serve as an inspiration to players, coaches and officials to this day.  Accepting the award, pictured below, left to right: Coach Mark Lubic, Captains Emma Landy and Ally Seaver, Coach Kathryn Mahoney , RIGSO past president Joe DiLorenzo and Principal Dan Warner.

     The Rhode Island Girls Soccer Officials (RIGSO) is proud to have sponsored the Girls High School Soccer Sportsmanship award for over 20 years. Sportsmanship is one of the true measures of maturity in sports and in life itself. The way that these three high schools have shown their fortitude and respect for the community should be highly regarded.

[riilsports]

Chariho, Central Falls girls soccer teams honored with RIGSO’s Maddie Potts Sportsmanship Awards

January 3, 2019

BY AL RICCI

President, R.I. Girls Soccer Officials

     Rhode Island Girls Soccer Officials (RIGSO) prides itself on being an active member of the High School Soccer community, both on and off the field. The association actively promotes programs during the year that not only improve the level of officiating, but also recognizes the strong bond between the association, the schools and the community. The Maddie Potts Sportsmanship Award is one of those programs.      The Maddie Potts Sportsmanship Award is presented to the Girls Varsity Soccer Team that most exemplifies true sportsmanship during the regular season. The winner is determined by votes cast by soccer officials after their games. This year there was a numerical tie: Both Chariho High School and Central Falls High School received the highest ratings. Therefore, two awards were given out at the RIGSO’s annual end-of-year dinner, held Dec. 14 at Twelve Acres in Smithfield.

      The Rhode Island Girls Soccer Officials have been giving out the sportsmanship award each year for the past 20 seasons. In 2017, the award's name was changed to the Maddie Potts Sportsmanship Award, named after Maddie Potts, the Chariho High School Soccer standout who was tragically lost during the 2017 season.      Maddie’s parents, Stephanie and Dan Potts, were on hand for this year’s presentation, and Stephanie gave a very moving speech during the award ceremony.      Representing Chariho High School were: Assistant  coach Jessica Sexton, team captains, Lindsay Shields, Tia Sardelli, and Rebekah Sullivan. 

     Representing Central Falls High School were: Assistant coach Kirk Hamel and Team Captain Edna Hernandes.      In 2019, RIGSO will be awarding 3 sportsmanship awards, one for each division in Girls High School Varsity Soccer: The Maddie Potts Sportsmanship Award, The Gianna Cirella Sportsmanship Award (named for the Toll Gate Soccer player who was also lost in 2017) and the Jack Breetveld  Sportsmanship Award (named for one of the founding members and officials of High School Soccer).  

Pictured, from left to right, Stephanie Potts, RIGSO president Al Ricci, Chariho assistant coach Jessica Sexton and team captains Lindsay Shields, Tia Sardelli, and Rebekah Sullivan.

Pictured, from left to right, Stephanie Potts, RIGSO president Al Ricci, Central Falls assistant coach Kirk Hamel and team captain Edna Hernandes. 

[riilsports]

Girls soccer refs blow the (pink) whistle on breast cancer

November 2018

     During the month of October, the girls division of the Rhode Island High School Soccer referees actively support breast cancer awareness. Taking part in the "Pink Out" program for the last four years, the referees wear pink uniforms, along with pink arm bands, and use pink whistles. 

       The RIGSO also designates two contests as “Pink Carnation games.” At these games - this year they chose East Providence at Ponaganset and Mount St Charles at North Smithfield - the referees gave pink carnations to all of the starters of each girls varsity soccer team.

     “Both the fans and the players seem to appreciate the added significance that the carnations bring to the game,” said RIGSO President Al Ricci, who refereed the Pink Carnation contests with Omar Roa and Kathy Souza.

  PHOTOS COURTESY/AL RICCI