ROSSFORD, Ohio — A month after the Greater Toledo Futbol Club (GTFC) brought home a national championship, the organization's coach tallied another win.
Last week, the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) named Mike Aubry the 2024 Regional League Girls Coach of the Year for his service and success this past season.
"For me, it's just a great honor to the club. I don't look at it as an individual award," Aubry said. "I've got staff working, Matt and Josh are amazing, they do a lot of the training and planning. So, I'm the leader of the group but am blessed to have them."
Aubry, who also serves as GTFC's executive director, helped lead their U16 Impact team to a ECNL Regional League National Championship on July 14 in Richmond, Virginia. Findlay High School's Olivia Gayhart got awarded Player of the Match after scoring the game-winning goal against the Dallas Sting (3-1 final).
Players from Anthony Wayne, Notre Dame, Perrysburg and St. Ursula were all represented on the title team. This marks the first of its kind for the club, who joined the league just two years ago.
"We have amazing kids as well or we wouldn't succeed at all," Aubry said. "So, it's a group award for the club and I'm very proud of my people for getting recognized."
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Although GTFC is a household name among the local soccer community, Aubry tells WTOL 11 that the organization's reputation has grown over the last 5-6 years. Success in the ECNL has bolstered that image with a 1st or 2nd place finish for every age group over the past two seasons in regional play.
This summer, GTFC sent three teams to the national stage capped off by the 2008 (U16) championship. The club is aiming to participate in the ECNL regional league in 2025 with the possibility of being promoted to full league competition.
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