RICHMOND, VA – (Monday, June 15, 2015) – The Richmond Kickers and the Spence family were pleased to honor Blake Cashin with the 2015 Avery Spence Youth Community Service Award during halftime at the Kickers pro game versus FC Montreal Saturday night. Established to honor Kickers youth player, Avery Spence, who was tragically killed in an automobile accident on May 1, 2011, the Avery Spence Youth Community Service Award was presented to Cashin by the Spence family based on criteria including exemplary volunteer involvement, commitment, leadership and athletic and academic achievements.
A member of the Richmond Kickers travel program since age 10, Blake has led her team to several successful tournament appearances, including a 2014 Ultimate Cup title and the 2015 Jefferson Cup championship appearance. In addition to volunteering regularly with the Richmond Kickers, where she has been the DJ at City Stadium since 2013, Blake volunteered both her time and hair for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. She raised $1,200 in donations this November when she proudly shaved her head for childhood cancer research.
As a four year member of the St. Gertrude’s High School varsity soccer team, Blake was All-LIS in 2014 and 2015 and a two-time VISAA All-State Second Team honoree. Following a successful sophomore season, Blake was named MVP in 2013 and was recognized not only for her athletic talent but also her leadership qualities when she was named captain her senior year. Off the field, Blake is president of the SGHS Connections Club and received the Presidential Service Award in both 2014 and 2015.
As a member of the Virginia State Park Youth Conservation Corps, Blake has volunteered close to 500 hours preserving and maintaining the natural resources in four state parks. Blake was honored for her leadership in 2013 when she received the Emmitt Award and in 2015 was invited to intern with the program. Continuing her soccer career at Virginia Military Institution this fall, she is the daughter of Joe and Beth Cashin.
About the Avery Spence Youth Community Service Award
Richmond Kickers President, Board of Directors Rob Ukrop presented the inaugural Avery Spence Youth Community Service award to the Spence family on July 8, 2011, to honor the memory of Kickers youth player Avery Spence and her commitment to the Richmond community. A longstanding member of the Richmond Kickers youth club, she started with the Kickers rec program when she was nine years old, progressing with arguably the best girls team in the Kickers Girls Elite program over seven seasons. A committed volunteer, Avery donated countless hours throughout the Richmond community, was in the academic top ten in her class at Manchester High School and was heading to Virginia Tech in the fall to pursue a career in dentistry. Avery had a love for life, sharing her time and talent with kids of all ages. Past award recipients include former Kickers players Ashley Riefner (University of Richmond), Blayne Fink (Virginia Tech) and Peter Coiley (Virginia Tech).
