This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
11/09/2016 11:00 PMGuilford resident Shane Smith has coached the JV girls’ soccer squad at Hand for two seasons and was recently named the new youth coordinator of soccer in North Branford. Shane also works with Shoreline FC, a Premier team, and so he’s a year-round fixture on the pitch.
Even though Shane has always loved soccer, he actually wasn’t involved in the sport for several years after playing at the University of New Haven. However, that all changed in 2006, when Shane was inspired while watching some of the world’s top athletes compete on the biggest stage.
“At the end of my playing career, I didn’t touch a ball for five or six years until the World Cup in 2006 came along and reinvigorated my passion. I started playing pick-up again and joined a men’s league,” says Shane. “Up until last year, I was doing insurance sales and I didn’t want to do that anymore. It wasn’t my passion. It didn’t get me excited and didn’t make me want to work harder. So I ended up calling everyone I knew involved in soccer and they began to give me work, although it’s never felt like work.”
Shane, who graduated from North Branford in 2000, was a member of the first Thunderbirds’ boys’ soccer team that went to the state final in 1997. Shane played the left back position on that squad and his connection to both the school and the town played a big part in his new role with North Branford’s youth program.
“I think the board and other soccer individuals saw me as a fit because I’m an alum. Obviously, I have passion, but since I have a connection to the program, I was a good person to have in there,” Shane says. “It’s great because I’m reconnecting with alumni who are now having their kids come through the program. I haven’t necessarily seen everyone in years, but suddenly, I see them every week and it’s fun. I enjoy people, so it’s fun to see the people you grew up with and they now have a kid that they’re showing up with. I love being back in the community. It’s familiar and it’s positive.”
Fellow program alum Brett Gagliardi, who recently completed his first year as head coach of North Branford boys’ soccer, felt thrilled when he learned that Shane was named the town’s new youth coordinator.
“Shane’s passion for the game of soccer is unlike any other. Whether he’s playing, coaching, or even watching, he is 100 percent invested in the game,” says Gagliardi. “When I heard North Branford asked him to be their new youth coordinator, I thought it was a great move. As a smart, technical player himself, there’s no doubt North Branford Youth Soccer is getting quality instruction from Shane.”
Shane displays his passion for soccer through the energy that he brings to the field. Shane prides himself on that energy because he believes it gets his athletes even more excited to compete.
“I want to be the coach that motivates a player to be that extra one percent more through energy, positive reinforcement, and providing them with the confidence to perform,” says Shane. “One thing the parents always say and wonder is how I have so much energy. When everything is going well, I gain energy from those high-intensity practices. After that, I usually want another practice because it gives me energy. When you’re involved in your passion, you just can’t stop. It consumes you and that’s what it is for me. I feed off that energy.”
Shane also likes to make soccer fun for the kids. It’s a big component of his process as Shane wants players of all ages to enjoy themselves on the field.
“I love the game of soccer. The same smile it put on my face, I love it when that same smile appears on another’s face. I love that moment because they’re having fun, which is the key to everything,” says Shane. “If it’s not fun, they’re not going to show up early and stay late. With fun, you have their attention. When you have their attention is when you can drill in the process. My No. 1 philosophy is to make any drills games, so everybody has fun. Everything needs to be fun, enthusiastic, and passionate, so the kids will show back up.”