As a soccer coach I have learned to manage the natural ups and downs that this career has brought my way. Managed to learn from experience, and try to be better everyday. That building teams is about good foundations, and those foundations are made of core values of respect, good manners, pride. passion, belief, hard work and integrity. They are the glue that holds everything together.
Two years ago my BIFC ’95 Blue team had an exceptional conclusion to their BIFC soccer experience as they ended an amazing U18 season with a State Championship. It was all finished with an undefeated 14 game streak to complete their youth club soccer careers, and they rounded it out superbly. I never thought I would see the like of it again.
This year I took on a new team of U11 boys starting their soccer journey that heads who knows where. I have begun leading boys at this age several times, and it is always challenging and enjoyable helping them to navigate that learning curve. This journey was remarkable.
After an undistinguished summer tournament season the team embarked on our North Puget Sound League (NPSL) fall season. Through September and October the team played some great soccer, and by Halloween a 7-0-0 record had all but secured the league championship. The boys went on to round out with a perfect fall season of 12-0-0. It is so hard to accomplish, so hard to be able to overcome all those challenges of a bad day, strong opponent, brutal weather, a poor referee decision or the ball not bouncing your way. These 11 year old boys were able to overcome all those hurdles to ensure a perfect season.
If the story was to end there it would be a great tale. One for the history books, but these eleven year old’s went into Bainbridge Island FC folklore by moving forwards from that perfect season and taking it even further. Entering a post season State tournament brought new opponents, new challenges, but the same result – the boys just kept on winning. They entwined skill and flair to those champion ingredients of commitment, confidence, determination and fun through it all … and never forgetting our core values.
On 7th February 2016 the boys won the Washington Youth Soccer Founders Cup State tournament final 2-1 against Seattle United to finish beyond perfect at 19-0-0. A League and State Championship brings joy to my heart of how much can be accomplished. They learned that to accomplish great things, they must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.
Last time I referred to the experience with those BIFC ’95 boys as ‘Something Beautiful‘ because it was, and remains to be so. This journey with the BIFC ’04 boys was quite remarkable, in fact beyond remarkable. It seems amazing to say it, but they did indeed go beyond perfect. Sometimes somethings are just meant to be.
The Travel Completist 
Nicely said. Congrats again. As I told greg and joe, I doubt you and the boys will mind that I add my name to the trophy for shooting par at disc golf.
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Coach Phil – Your commitment and leadership was also beyond perfect – a great blend of soccer know-how (strategy, formations, skills) coupled with the building of the boys’ mental strength to persevere. You created a winning mindset in a group of 11 year old boys that came to a high point precisely on time: second half of the final against SU-West. In that second half it felt as if the boys were just playing the game – it was not a fight or struggle, they just out-played their challengers on all levels – physical and mental.
I appreciate that you taught them core values as much, no…more than, the soccer skills. You have influenced, in a very meaningful way, a group of boys who will take their time studying the game of soccer, the game of life – under your tutelage with them for the rest of their lives. Your gift to them is beyond measure and as a parent, there is no way I can truly thank you in full.
For Grant heading who knows where from here, I will be reminding him of Coach Phil’s voice from the sidelines this 19-0-0 season encouraging the him and the team to “Build it!”. Those simple words: “Build it” are a great life lesson for a young man. Two simple words that encapsulate so much: Take your time, work together, plan ahead, quick decisions, help your teammate, overcome, work hard, practice, out think, be smart.
This time Phil YOU “built it”. You built a team that never said quit and only knew how to win. For me, without a doubt, you built some boys this season through he beautiful game of soccer.
Thank you.
Grant’s Dad
Grant’s Dad said it perfectly. The boys wouldn’t have had that extraordinary season without Coach Phil. You provided what they needed, individually and as a whole, to become a team in the true sense of the word. You somehow created the perfect balance of space and structure, discipline and playfulness, to allow them to feel confident on the field and to trust in their teammates.
We will cherish our memories from this season. A gift.
Thank you,
Abe’s Mom
Having been a teacher myself, I understand what it takes to get children to succeed. Those boys may have won a lot of games, maybe most, but they never could have had that finish without you, Coach Phil. I concur with all the above comments because without your core values and belief system, you would not have had that success. So hats off to you, their fearless leader, for installing these life-affirming values into these lucky boys who have the honor to call you Coach Phil!