Ben Gibbons
Sports Editor
Mira Costa senior Trever Vanthof is shooting his career as a soccer player forward and is now helping the Costa girl’s soccer program as the new Team Manager.
Vanthof started helping out the girls program at the beginning of this year and is the first Team Manager in program history, assisting all three frosh-soph, JV, and varsity teams. While managing the team, Vanthof also helps out as a player-coach, setting up drills for the girls and practicing with them to ensure everything runs smoothly.
“I would go through drills with the girls making sure all aspects of practice are set up and efficient, making practice productive for a winning season,” Vanthof said. “I help implement a game like pace for the girls.”
Vanthof went to Head Coach Patty Perkinson with the idea to work with the girls soccer program for the upcoming season because of interest in a potential future in coaching soccer. After a week of interviews and trainings with the girls, the coaches concluded it was clear Vanthof was a good fit for the team.
“All the coaches are thrilled to have Trever in the program,” Perkinson said. “It has been a positive experience for all involved, players and coaches, and he has been a good role model for the players, allowing him to learn from coaches since he is interested in pursuing coaching in the future.”
His responsibilities as Team Manager include attending every practice, special activity, and game, home or away, as a team member to support the team and coach Perkinson. At games, Vanthof is an advocate for the girls, sitting on the sideline giving them tips and advice.
“I look at this as an opportunity for me as a player to get a different perspective of the game watching the girls play,” Vanthof said. “From my 15 years of experience, I can use what I’ve learned over the years to help the girls be the best they can by correcting a move or helping them visualize a play.”
Vanthof has played soccer almost all his life, and currently plays for the FRAM B99 Boys Elite soccer team. He decided against the world of academy soccer to spend free time pursuing his studies and a potential future in the world of college National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) soccer.
“I am currently contacting and building relationships with Division 1 and Division 2 colleges and coaches outside of California,” Vanthof said. “Choosing club instead of academy soccer was just the right fit for me in my eyes as a senior and a player.”
The girls have been looking good the past couple of weeks and all work well together, giving it their all while enjoying themselves, according to Vanthof. He claims that the girls can come out at the top of their league if they perform at their best capabilities.
“Being off the field during games helps me see why I love the game so much,” Vanthof said. “Maybe this is my ticket to coaching in the near future.”
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