John Davidson has been coaching for five years at D3 and D1 levels. He currently holds a National D license from CYSA and completed Level 2 of the Hoek Method, from Dutch coach Franz Hoek.

"Soccer is as much a part of my life as my hands and feet. I play and coach soccer out of the love for the game and mankind, as a volunteer, and as a positive mentor for young athletes.”

Current assignment:
Spring 2008 - U14 Boys

"2007 marks my 10th season coaching youth soccer: 8 years of rec ball from U6 through U10, and now two years with the D3 U10 Girls Thunder. I’ve also coached 12 seasons of fastpitch softball from tee ball through the 16 & under age group, and last year’s 7-8th grade girls basketball team at St Mary’s School. I’m loving this U10 age group, watching the girls emerge from Nemo’s seagull flocking “MineMineMine” phase to a realization that there’s a bigger game beyond their own feet, and other players on the field with whom they can create wonderful opportunities for team glory. My goals for our players and our team are pretty simple: Help the players develop the individual skills they’ll need as they move along in their young soccer careers; Keep our practices and games fun, forever moving and lively; Be models of sportsmanship and positive team members, win or lose; and, Respect each kids’ individuality and interests and use those individual talents to mold a solid, playing-for-fun team. For me, nothing cures a day in the adult real world better than playing ball in the late summer twilight with a bunch of happy 8 and 9 year olds."

Current assignment:
Fall 2007 - U10 Girls Division 3 Thunder

"I have been involved with the game of soccer for over thirty years now as a player and coach. I played youth soccer on the east coast for the Connecticut Olympic Development Program for eight years. I was a member of the Oakwood FC national indoor two-time soccer champions. I have been blessed to have played abroad in the Holland Youth Cup, tournaments in Paris, club games in Germany, and a two week stint of playing national teams from Trinidad and Barbados. I started coaching soccer in the east bay area for the Skyhawks Soccer Camp. For two years I was camp coordinator for boys and girls from ages 5-18. Locally I have worked with the youth Division 1 teams for the past five seasons and have enjoyed the gift of working with the same core group of kids since they were playing under 12’s. Currently I coach the boys under 19 team playing in the Southern Oregon League. I also currently coach the boys soccer team at Arcata High School and have been there in some aspect of coaching for the past four years, the last two as head coach. I truly enjoy passing on the same passion and love for the game which I have carried with me for the past thirty years. The local soccer community has a strong core of passionate coaches and fans. I see continued success for all age groups in the near future."

Current assignment:
Spring 2008 - Boys U19
Arcata High School Men's Varsity

What began as an assistant coach position for his son's U-8 team two years ago, Heath has continued to follow his son's youth soccer career. In 2006, he began coaching his first D3 U10 team. Heath has also coached U10 Futsol for the past three winter seasons for both his son and daughter. He is now preparing for coaching his third fall soccer season and has continued his participation in many of Nick Parker's coaching clinics. As a soccer player for nine years in his youth, Heath now finds plenty of enjoyment and relaxation passing down his own soccer-playing skills through coaching.

Current assignment:
Fall 2007 - U10 Boys, Division 3

“I am a lifelong participant in amateur sports, competing in soccer, football, racquetball, cycling, volleyball and various other interests. Like most amateur coaches, I got involved in coaching soccer when my own children entered the sport some 25 years ago. I have coached boys and girls in both recreational and competitive soccer for competitive clubs in the central Florida area. Many of my players have subsequently played in the finals of state cup tournaments. My primary goal in coaching is to help young soccer players develop their skills, fitness, and confidence to compete and through athletics live happier, more prosperous lives. I am dedicated to the principle that any child who wants to work can have my help in achieving their goals.”

Current assignment:
Fall 2007 - U11 Boys, Division 3

“Soccer has been a major part of my life. I have played soccer throughout my entire childhood in Brazil and when I came to the United States, I wanted to share the love and the passion of soccer with the youth of our community. I have coached numerous soccer teams for the past 30+ years. I am extremely dedicated and very competitive and I like to pass these two qualities on to the players I coach. I love watching them develop in the basic soccer skills and fundamentals of soccer and utilize what I have taught them to become great players.”

Licenses: E/D and Hoek Method Level Two

Joe’s Mad River United teams have taken first place on numerous occasions in the Rogue Valley, Oregon League, and Redwood Classic during his tenure.

Current assignment:
Spring 2008 - U12 Girls
Spring 2008 - U14 Girls
Fall 2008 - Arcata High Women's Varsity Coach

“I expect players on my team to give 100% at practices and at games. The players need to take responsibility for their fitness and attitude. Although I am extremely competitive, I always remember that soccer is a game after all. Success on my team means we learned something new and we had fun. I also try and educate my players on fitness, goal setting, sports nutrition and injury prevention. Along with my assistant coaches, Stephanie Strasser and Tim Laney, we have more than 75 years of playing and coaching experience. " 'I am a member of a team, and I rely on the team, I defer to it and sacrifice for it, because the team, not the individual, is the ultimate champion.' - Mia Hamm

Current assignment:
Fall 2007 - U14 Girls, Division 3

Tim Laney has been coaching with MRYSL for eight years. He also worked as an assistant coach for McKinleyville High School with Pete Shepard. Tim has been playing soccer for nearly thirty years since he was nine in 1968. He played competitive soccer at Humboldt State University and currently holds an F License. Tim believes that playing soccer should be fun and that players are successful when they learn something at each practice and give 100% effort.

Current assignment:
Fall 2007 - U14 Girls, Division 3

Nick Parker has been a professional Coach since 1981, in England, Canada, and California. Nick has coached D1 (and D3) in HYSL/MRYSL for 10 years. He has taken both U-19 Boys and College women to second place finishes in the California State Cup(s) , and has won both State Open (semi-pro) and Amateur Cups as a player (CA and OR). Currently he also works as an instructor trainer at HSU, and is active locally in Physical Education and Health-Nutrition. He holds an Ed.D and MA in Physical Education (teaching methods).

"My philosophy is that every practice should be VERY carefully managed by a well-trained Coach, but that the game belongs to the player, and for me, the best game Coach of all would be a silent Coach! I expect all players to try hard, but also to try smarter, and thus to improve. I really enjoy finding a niche where a player can be successful at the D1 level, whether or not they are blessed with blinding speed. By the time our "college prep" players leave me at U-19, they will understand the game as well I do, and will also be able to adapt to any (future) coaching style, while bringing their own gift and love of this game to that team."

Current assignment:
Spring 2008 - U17 Girls, Division 1
MRYSL Soccer Academy & Clinic Instructor

I relocated to Arcata from Salt Lake City in the fall of 2006. Coached in the U10 recreational league and All-Star Tournament. I've coached youth baseball, soccer, basketball, softball and flag football. My background is in therapeutic recreation. I worked the past twelve years with Special Olympics Utah as the Director of Sports & Competition. I had the honor of coaching athletes at five Special Olympics World Games.

Current assignment:
Fall 2007 - U10 Girls, Division 3

"Coaching is my chance to interact with young people and their parents. It’s always been fun for me to share what I understand with others and to learn more from everyone. As I mature I find it refreshing to deal with the younger crowd. You could even say it awakens the child in me.

“My fascination with the game of soccer began in 1968. I have been coaching and studying the game non stop since 1973. I have a degree in Physical Education, a Masters in Physical Education, a California teaching credential, and a USSF National C Soccer Coaching license.

“I expect my players to play as hard and as best they can in practice and during the game. They must respect their teammates, referees, and coaches. I want my players to learn the game of soccer in a safe, comfortable environment. Most of all I want them to enjoy the beautiful game.”

Current assignment:
Spring 2008 - U12 Boys

I was born in Wurzburg, Germany on a US military base and moved around a lot as a child before settling in the Salinas, California area where I first started playing soccer. I have been an active soccer player for more than 25 years and continue to play in the Humboldt Soccer League with my wife, Katerina.

Last year I coached the U10 D3 Mad River Lightning Girls. Previously I coached the U10 D3 Arcata Lightning for three seasons, the U10 D3 Eureka Breakers for two years, and before that, I was a recreation soccer coach off and on for sixteen years both locally and in Salinas. I have worked professionally with young people in some capacity - camp counselor, teacher, or coach - consistently for the past eighteen years. For the past nine years I have been an English teacher with Eureka City Schools, and am currently teaching at Eureka High School. I am a member of the National Soccer Coaches Association and hold an E license.

Current assignment:
Fall 2007 - U10 Girls, Division 3

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