For the players of the Shooting Stars, an AYSO spring select team, longtime coach Bill Shine will be greatly missed when he leaves with his family to Hawaii this year.
Shine has coached the Shooting Stars for the last seven years. Many of the same players have played on the team throughout the years, which created a close bond amongst the players and Shine.
Recently the Shooting Stars and their parents held a gathering at West Grove park to commemorate Shine for all his hard work and dedication, on and off the soccer field.
For the players of the Shooting Stars, an AYSO spring select team, longtime coach Bill Shine will be greatly missed when he leaves with his family to Hawaii this year.
Shine has coached the Shooting Stars for the last seven years. Many of the same players have played on the team throughout the years, which created a close bond amongst the players and Shine.
Recently the Shooting Stars and their parents held a gathering at West Grove park to commemorate Shine for all his hard work and dedication, on and off the soccer field.
“He has been a beloved coach and mentor to countless girls in the community,” said Jim Rode, a west Garden Grove resident.
Shine has volunteered countless hours of his time to coaching at the local region 59 AYSO. He started coaching in 2000 and has been an inspiration to the girls he’s coached because of his coaching mentality.
“His motivated and driven personality not only encouraged and strengthened the players he coached through the years, but also [those who] played against him,” said Alyssa Young, a former player of Shine.
His willingness and drive on the soccer field never overshadowed the development of his players, which is what mattered to Shine the most.
“It wasn’t always about winning for Bill, it was about what he could teach and how a player could get better,” said Linda Lee, whose daughter played for Shine and has recently signed to play college ball for Utah State University.
Shine got the most out of his players through his full commitment to his teams, and rarely did he ever let his emotions get the best of him.
“His calm and gentle demeanor never crushed a player’s spirit or confidence,” said Victoria Sutherland, whose daughter Carolyn played under Shine for a number of seasons.
Shine’s welcoming personality and encouraging spirit fostered strong relationships with him and his players.
“[Shine] has been my favorite soccer coach since I was five years old and he always will be,” said Lacy Leach, a former player of Shine that has played on the shooting stars since its inaugural year. “He is a one of a kind person on and off the field [and I’m] lucky to have [had] a coach like him.”
For the past 10 years Shine has brought a team down to San Diego to compete in the Memorial weekend tournament. The Memorial tournament is one the biggest AYSO tournaments in California
Shine has been trying to win the Memorial tournament for those ten years and finally succeeded in his final attempt this year.
Two years ago Shine helped raise funds to bring the Shooting Stars out to Hawaii to compete in a tournament.
His drive to do the very best for his players created a great repertoire with other coaches, parents, and created a huge level of respect from his players.
Shine is known by many as great community figure, and by some of his players as a great influence on who they are today.
“Whether he knows it or not, he helped shape the person I am today,” said Jess Thompson, who has played for Shine for six consecutive seasons. “He kept all [the] girls together for years, and they’re family to me.”
