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Soccer coach makes a difference
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 By
Dennis Miller, STAFF WRITER
SOCCER HAS PROVIDED Fred Wilson with many great experiences over
the years, both as a player and as a coach.
As the 36-year-old former Monte Vista and current Mustang Soccer
Club coach has aged — and perhaps matured — he discovered
something missing inside.
"I was thinking about how in my life, the game has given me
so much, what could I possibly do to give back?" Wilson said.
About the time Wilson was searching for an answer, Josh Littlefield,
his former Monte Vista assistant coach, mentioned he could meet
with the Cornerstone Fellowship in Livermore.
Cornerstone had been working with the Rohi Ministry, which was
involved in providing aid to Kenya. The idea of helping a third
world country intrigued Wilson. After speaking with representatives
of Cornerstone, one thing led to another and next thing he knew,
Wilson was putting together a plan to bring a structured soccer
environment to a school in the Kenyan town of Nakuru.
"I wanted to do this right, so I went out and got a bunch
of equipment donated," said Wilson. "Without even going
outside of Mustang, I was able to ship over nine or 10 boxes of
stuff. Then I took a duffel bag with me when I went."
The trip to Kenya was a long one, as Wilson spent 10 hours on a
plane to London, then eight more hours from London to Nairobi. From
there it was a three-hour drive to Nakuru.
In the matter of one long day, Wilson had been transported from
his nice comfort zone in the Tri-Valley to Kenya.
"My first impression was there were so many people, and they
were all walking around," said Wilson. "I tried not to
go in with anything in my mind other than to figure out how this
would all work by the time I was done."
During the 10 days he was there, things began to materialize.
"I met with some of the soccer coaches, and they asked what
we could do to get this thing started," said Wilson. "I
told them to write down their wish list of stuff they needed. After
I saw it, I thought I could fill at least half of it with stuff
I already had in my garage."
As the days went by, Wilson was amazed with some of the stuff he
was seeing — both on and off the field.
"There were some kids around 11 or 12, playing in bare feet
on these horrible fields, and their touch was unbelievable,"
said Wilson. "If we brought them over here, they would be among
the best players in the area."
Wilson plans to head back in November, and he may not go alone.
"I've been offered some money to be able to take some other
coaches over with me next time," said Wilson. "It would
allow us to spend four days doing clinics with coaches, then four
days of working with the kids. We could create some sort of organized
system over there."
But he doesn't want to stop with just coaches making the trip.
"We might be able to take some (high school) kids over there
as well," said Wilson. "I know what kids I would want
to take. It would change their lives — it would knock them
down about 10 notches."
The experience made Wilson realize there are places all over the
world where soccer could prove an enriching experience for kids
who don't really have anything going for them.
Because of that, Wilson started a non-profit organization, One
World Children's Spirit. The images he saw and life he experienced
on his trip are something he'll never forget.
"It's something to see," said Wilson. "You go over
there, and see all these people that are happy to just be waking
up alive. A friend of mine told me before I left that I would come
back and understand what's really important in life and what really
matters in this world."
And it didn't take long once he was back in Danville for it all
to hit home.
"I was out at tryouts, and it started raining," said
Wilson. "Everyone was whining and complaining, but I just stood
there in the rain, loving it. You don't know how lucky we are to
be here."
Best of the Valley
1. Foothill boys volleyball — The Falcons are the team to
beat this year, not only in the EBAL, but across the North Coast
Section.
2. Monte Vista boys tennis — The Mustangs post an impressive
non-league win over tough Alameda. Next week another big non-league
affair with Miramonte looms for Monte Vista.
3. Monte Vista/Foothill boys golf — The top two teams in
the EBAL have been playing some great golf this year, but both may
be looking up at De La Salle come NCS.
4. Monte Vista boys lacrosse — The Mustangs grabbed a big,
10-9 overtime win over rival San Ramon last week. The win moves
Monte Vista to 6-1, with the only loss coming to a nationally ranked
team from Southern California.
5. Foothill softball — The Falcons dropped a tough 1-0 game
to Valley Christian of San Jose, but they stand with Monte Vista
as the teams to beat in the EBAL this year.
6. San Ramon Valley boys volleyball — The Wolves have only
lost twice this year, both to No.1 Foothill. Don't count this team
out, as they've taken the Falcons to the limit twice this year.
Game of the week — Weather allowing of course, but the EBAL
baseball season gets under way with a big one right off the bat,
as Monte Vista visits Amador Valley on Wednesday. We may not know
until game time which pitchers will take the hill, but a pitching
match of Mike Cassady of Monte Vista against David Rowse of Amador
Valley would be something to see.
http://www.insidebayarea.com/trivalleyherald/prepsports/ci_3646763
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