By Wendy Anders

Amelia Valverde was recognized this week as the 2016 Female Coach of the Year by the Confederation of North, Central American, and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) for her work with the Costa Rica national team.

Valverde was named head coach of the Costa Rica women’s national soccer team on January 12, 2015, said the Costa Rican Soccer Federation, Fedefut.

She replaced Garabet Avedissian, who stepped away from the post in early January 2015 just months after guiding the Ticas to their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup berth.

Valverde has been with the national team since 2011 in various roles, including as the conditioning coach and, later, as assistant coach of the senior and under-20 teams, said Fedefut.

“I’m very aware of the commitment and the responsibility that goes with this,” said Valverde when she accepted the position. “We are going to give it our all in taking advantage of the time that we have in order to prepare the team.

Thirty-year-old Valverde’s recognition topped the best coaches in the United States, including Jill Ellis and Michelle French, noted Costa Rica’s daily La Republica.