Two years ago, the Rock Island High School Girls Soccer Team’s Head Coach stepped down from his position as head coach. With head coach positions being open for both Varsity and Junior Varsity – Coach Vroman and Coach Williams stepped into that position. Now, in their second year coaching, they look to make the team their own.
Although it is the start of a new season, Vroman shares how he has the same expectations for the team as he did his first season coaching. “My standards are the same as they were in my first season: I want the student-athletes to be respectful; to have integrity; and to persevere. If we, as a team, can do these three things, we will have a successful season,” says Vroman. Williams shares how she wants to see student athletes excited, and be knowledgeable about the sport. “I would love to see student athletes excited and knowledgeable about how to play the sport and be competitive. I want to see confidence within the girls to work together to improve, which should in turn help win some games,” says Williams.
Success to these coaches is more than just winning games. Similarly, Vroman shares that he is really looking forward to seeing success in his players. “I’m looking forward to seeing the individual student-athletes improve, as well as our team as a whole,” says Vroman. Williams states, “I look forward to seeing girls return, and watch them grow and become leaders to the incoming new girls, who want to be part of the soccer team. I look forward to the improvements we can make as a team.”
One thing that may not be new, but continues to grow is seeing players improve. Vroman states that one of his favorite parts about coaching is that his players improve every day. “My favorite part of coaching is watching the players improve on a day to day basis. When the players see that improvement and have that “A-Ha” moment when the skill or knowledge of the game registers for them. It’s a great feeling,” says Vroman. Additionally, Williams’ view is that she is excited to coach her second season. “I can’t wait to see how this season goes,” says Williams.
Having great and dedicated players on the team makes coaching rewarding. According to Vroman, he is excited to work with and continue with what went well last season. “I can’t wait. I’m so excited to continue to build on what went well last season, and to see how this team gels together. We have some great players and great leaders,” says Vroman. Williams’ view on this is more personal to her. “I am more excited than the first. Now, I take everything I learned the first season, and get to improve skills that may have not gone so well my first year. I want to continue to develop the program to be more successful than the year before,” says Willams.
To improve his coaching, Vroman is going to learn from his first year coaching the Lady Rocks. “I am going to reflect on what went well, and build off of those skills or traits, and I am going to focus on the things that can be improved upon to make our team better,” says Vroman. Additionally, Williams shares that she did research to help her to improve, and as an effect help the players improve. “I have done more research to try new drills that can help the students improve,” says Willams. Vroman reflects on his last season’s coaching, and sees how he can improve. Vroman shares that a lesson he learned in his first year coaching is to rely on his assistant coaches and the team captains. “The lesson I learned is that you have to rely on your assistant coaches and your team captains. I am responsible for many things, but it is ok to rely on others to help the team thrive,” says Vroman. Williams’ lesson she learned is that she needs to have patience when things don’t always go the way it was originally planned. “Patience with knowing that some days the workout you had in mind does not go the way you would like it to go, and it’s ok,” says Williams.
With the 2024 season being Coach Vroman and Coach William’s second year being the Head Coach for Varsity and JV, they plan on learning and improving from their first year coaching, while also working with what went well, and continuing to foster that. Coach Vroman and Williams will also start to make the team their own, since they are not going through the transition period anymore of new head coaches.
