Name: Kali Van Covern
Soccer Experience: 4 years of varsity soccer at Waynesboro High School, played club with the Waynesboro Jazz from the age of 13. Played college soccer at VCU for five seasons. Assistant Coach for the University of Hartford from fall 2009 to spring 2010. Coached for Star Goalkeeper Academy for 5 summers and SoccerPlus Camps for 3 summers.
Why I like coaching: I LOVE coaching because I enjoy working with youth and sharing my favorite sport! Coaching soccer has been a great way for me to mentor young people and help them improve their skills and knowledge of the game.
Why I like soccer: I played all sorts of sports growing up, but fell in love with soccer because it is both physically and mentally demanding. When I became a goalkeepr at age fourteen, the game completely changed for me - and I fell in love with the sport all over again. I live for the challenge of being the last line of defense and the start of the attack!
Favorite Soccer Team: VCU Men’s and Women’s Soccer!
Favorite Food - Pizza - the more toppings the better!
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Name: David M. White
Soccer Experience: Pocoshock Valley Youth Soccer (Premier/Travel), Monacan High School ’82-’85 (1st Team All-District/Region Jr & Sr years) VCU ’85-’87 - Coaching for 26 Years (girls and boys, ages 4-18) with Pocoshock Valley Premier, Chesterfield United Travel and Recreational program - USSF ’D’ License
Why I enjoy coaching: I enjoy being a part of the development process of soccer players. I enjoy sharing my joy and intense passion for the game. I appreciate the opportunity coaching affords me to get to know the player and their families. And.....when I was growing up in the game - I had fantastic coaches - wonderful people / mentors that helped me to develop - not only the skills to play the game - but to develop a love of the game as well as - and maybe more importantly leadership skills that have served me throughout. Coaching allows me an opportunity to live a thank you to them for all they gave me - Thank you Coach Frank Porter, John LeLay, Herb Foster, Mac Brown and David Hillgrove.
Why I like soccer: I love the competition. The game is just plain fun. I love the rush of emotion that you feel when you score - or your team scores the one that puts you through (ie. World Cup 2010 - Landon’s goal - still have goose bumps). I love that every time I watch a game or step onto a pitch - as a player or coach - I learn something new. I love the friendships that I have developed over the years through the game. The people have been fantastic - whether my current teammates, high school teammates (Many of whom remain close friends and with whom I still play ball with today) players that I have coached or their families - I can barely leave the house without running into someone with whom our paths have crossed on a pitch somewhere locally - I love that - and that is why I love the game so much.
Favorite soccer team: U6 UDP Fire!! U.S. National Team, D. C. United - and will watch wherever we have a "Yank" playing abroad.
Favorite food: My wife’s Carrot Cake - good grief it is something special......
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Name: Nikki Smith
Soccer Experience: Red Bank Catholic HS Varsity (played against Christie Pearce), NJ Freehold Travel, NJ Middletown Travel, Rollins College 2 years, University of Arizona 3 years. Coached U4 YMCA, USSF F
Why I enjoy Coaching: I love watching kids learn and enjoy their enthusiasm for the game of soccer.
Why I like Soccer: I love the game because it teaches you the team concept but also lets you focus on your individual skills
Favorite soccer team: Women’s USA Team is my favorite.
Favorite food: Caprese Salad is my favorite!
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Name: David Schloman
Soccer Experience: 10 years for Virginia Beach Rec, Advance and Travel, 2 years Williamsburg Rec and Travel – Coach for Rec U5 through U12 - 4 years (2 teams each season), USSF F
Why I enjoy coaching: Watching the kids have fun and grow in the game.
Why I like soccer: I believe it is the most dynamic sport out there, always changing and a lot of fun
Favorite soccer team: LA Galaxy, Everton
Favorite food: My wife’s chili
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Name: Sam Na
Soccer Experience: U8-U13 Concorde Atlanta Classic, U14-16 Richmond Capitals, U17 Richmond Strikers, Partizan Richmond (CVSA), Richmond City (CVSA), Richmond Blaze (CVSA), and Richmond Rowdies Semi Pro Indoor Team (IPL), USSF E
Why I enjoy coaching: I enjoy coaching because two things I love in life are soccer and working with children!
Why I love soccer: I love soccer because it is my passion. Growing up playing soccer has had a very positive influence in my life and has made me a better person.
Favorite Soccer Team: Manchester United
Favorite Food: Anything mom cooks!
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Name: Bruce Ensley
Soccer Experience: Division 1 Collegiate Soccer Experience – William & Mary Men’s Soccer 1986-1990, U16 D.J. Niotis Cup National Youth Soccer Champion – Player - 1984, U19 McGuire Cup National Youth Soccer Champion – Assistant Coach – 1992, U19 McGuire Cup National Youth Soccer Finalist – Assistant Coach – 1991 , Soccer Academy Staff – 1985-1989, Tidewater Soccer Academy Staff – 1987-1988
Why I enjoy coaching: I enjoy watching players develop into better players.
Why I like soccer: Unlike other sports, soccer requires players to constantly respond to changes in the game.
Favorite soccer team: Liverpool & DC United
Favorite food: Pizza
