Sparta Tacoma Coaching Staff
Coaching Staff
A lot of time and resources have been invested in building and developing our coaching staff. Seven Sparta coaches currently hold their United Soccer Coaches national license, and we recently added two experienced coaches with prestigious national licenses from US Soccer.
Experience, credentials and licenses are important, but it's the approach to coaching "the Sparta way" that sets us apart from other clubs in the area. Our paid professional coaches are hired and evaluated on their ability to develop teams and players - to grow and improve each player's soccer skills - not just recruit and build teams around one or two strong players.
With our emphasis on learning and development, we are proud to have four full-time teachers on our current coaching staff.
2022-2023 Season
Sparta Tacoma Girls Coaching Staff
Peter Jones
Do you have any nicknames?
Coach Peter
When and where were you born?
A long time ago in the middle of Kansas.
Did you play soccer growing up? If so, what positions did you play and for who?
Finn Hill Blazers, Kirkland Sounders… goalkeeper, midfield, forward
Who is your favorite soccer player?
Zinedine Zidane… followed by Osvaldo Alonso
Why do you enjoy coaching soccer?
I continue to love watching “the light go on”: when coaching/teaching moments make sense to players and they elevate their play in this beautiful game.
What is an interesting fact about you?
I have some deadly allergies…
What is your coaching experience?
I was Director of Admission at University of Puget Sound. I left Puget Sound in 2000 after my son was born, began my career in pharmaceutical sales…and a career in coaching that is nearing 20 years.
Alexis Bejarano
Do you have any nicknames?
No
When and where were you born?
July 3 in Phoenix, Arizona
Did you play soccer growing up? If so, what positions did you play and for who?
Yes, Left Midfield/Wing. Club: SC Del Sol in Arizona, College: Aurora University
Why do you enjoy coaching soccer?
It is so fun watching your players do what you teach them. Most exciting thing is especially when they are clearly having fun and enjoying the game.
What is your coaching experience?
- Volunteer Coach in MOD academy program – Fall 2019
- Assistant Coach for 2007 girls’ team – Spring 2020 – Spring 2022
- Head Coach for 2007 girls’ team – Spring 2022
- Assistant Coach for 2013 girls’ team – Fall 2021
- Head Coach for 2012 girls’ team – Spring 2022
- Now taking over for our 2013 program – Spring 2022
John Sinykin
Do you have any nicknames?
No
When and where were you born?
Provo, UT
Did you play soccer growing up? If so, what positions did you play and for who?
Premier Soccer / State Select Teams / Utah Rangers/Celtic
Who is your favorite soccer player?
Joao Paulo
Why do you enjoy coaching soccer?
I enjoy witnessing how hard work and dedication manifest into success on and off the field. It’s very rewarding to be a part of players soccer/character development.
What is your coaching experience?
Over 20 years of coaching experience with both boys and girl’s teams U5-U17. Hold a National Coaching Cert. from United Soccer Coaches and a E license form USSF.
Steve Kingston
Do you have any nicknames?
No
When and where were you born?
England
Did you play soccer growing up? If so, what positions did you play and for who?
I did not. With my two older brothers being passionate about soccer, I naturally gravitated toward every other sport.
Who is your favorite soccer player?
Carli Lloyd, Lieke Martens, Kevin De Bruyne, Robert Lewandowski
Why do you enjoy coaching soccer?
I enjoy helping players develop their skills, knowledge and confidence in the great game of soccer.
What is your coaching experience?
I have been an Elementary Physical Education teacher for over 19 years.
Robert Anderson
Do you have any nicknames?
No
When and where were you born?
Tacoma, WA
Did you play soccer growing up? If so, what positions did you play and for who?
I played soccer starting at 5 years old for NorTac. I have always been a goal scorer, so I am a striker. I played for the NorTac Shetlands, NorTac Thunderbirds, Sparta 80, and Pierce College.
Who is your favorite soccer player?
Ronaldo (The Original)
Why do you enjoy coaching soccer?
I love soccer! Watching and coaching my kids. Sharing my knowledge with players who love the game.
What is an interesting fact about you?
I have been with Sparta since it was created, as a player first and now as a coach.
What is your work experience?
I have been a carpenter for 20+ years.
Kayla Findley
Do you have any nicknames?
No
When and where were you born?
Tacoma, WA
Did you play soccer growing up? If so, what positions did you play and for who?
I played center defender (4/5) for Sparta Tacoma
Why do you enjoy coaching soccer?
Allow players to fall in love with the sport the same way I did
What is an interesting fact about you?
I am getting a degree in Special Education/Elementary Education from Western Washington University
What is your coaching experience?
I have grown up coaching younger teams. I had the opportunity to assistant coach the 2009/2010 girls team for Sparta Tacoma in 2021-2022, and am now head coach for the White Team of same group this 2022-2023 season.
Alexis Bejarano
Do you have any nicknames?
No
When and where were you born?
July 3 in Phoenix, Arizona
Did you play soccer growing up? If so, what positions did you play and for who?
Yes, Left Midfield/Wing. Club: SC Del Sol in Arizona, College: Aurora University
Why do you enjoy coaching soccer?
It is so fun watching your players do what you teach them. Most exciting thing is especially when they are clearly having fun and enjoying the game.
What is your coaching experience?
- Volunteer Coach in MOD academy program – Fall 2019
- Assistant Coach for 2007 girls’ team – Spring 2020 – Spring 2022
- Head Coach for 2007 girls’ team – Spring 2022
- Assistant Coach for 2013 girls’ team – Fall 2021
- Head Coach for 2012 girls’ team – Spring 2022
- Now taking over for our 2013 program – Spring 2022
Joanne Williams
Do you have any nicknames?
Jo
When and where were you born?
Seattle, WA
Did you play soccer growing up? If so, what positions did you play and for who?
My first team was the Daisy Ducks for West Seattle, played select for HSA (Highline) Eagles ‘75 and I played outside back for Gonzaga University in the 80’s
Who is your favorite soccer player?
My two girls
Why do you enjoy coaching soccer?
I love coaching soccer because I love helping kids discover the joy of being on a team and working towards common goals.
What is an interesting fact about you?
I have walked on the Great Wall of China
What is your coaching experience?
I began my career as an Athletic Trainer and spent the last 20+ years being a Physical Therapist in multiple settings. I have coached soccer for the last decade.
Sparta Boys Teams Coaching Staff
Keith Beasinger
Do you have any nicknames?
No
When and where were you born?
Born Greenville, SC on July 13
Did you play soccer growing up? If so, what positions did you play and for who?
Yes, played Sweeper (center back) Striker Tacoma Baptist High School State Champs 1A soccer then 6th in state against all competition. Played college at Bob Jones University
Who is your favorite soccer player?
Weston McKinnie, Christian Pulisic
Why do you enjoy coaching soccer?
I did not have parental support as a player so I love the opportunity to support kids and see them love soccer! I Love competition, love helping individual players improve, love trying to build teams to play at higher levels-enjoy the challenge.
What is an interesting fact about you?
I have three boys who played for Sparta and two of those played D2 college and other one could have but did not want to play college.
What is your coaching experience?
As a coach 26 seasons of Boys-Girls High School soccer, 9 seasons Girls Middle School, 23 club team seasons
Tom Cramer
Do you have any nicknames?
Not really
When and where were you born?
Boise, Idaho
Did you play soccer growing up? If so, what positions did you play and for who?
Played from ages 4 to 24 in Idaho; primarily as a goalkeeper. Ended playing with the University of Idaho club team.
Who is your favorite soccer player?
Christian Roldan
Why do you enjoy coaching soccer?
So many things. Above all, I enjoy creating an environment where the players can flourish on and off the field. This is an incredibly challenging task and one that I love. Soccer, in particular, is a players' sport. No coach can dictate the play they way they can in other sports. So everything we do has to be about preparing players to make their own decisions and to execute those decisions on the field for themselves. There is something truly wonderful about helping others to combine the physical, intellectual, and emotional demands of playing this great sport.
What is an interesting fact about you?
I was a smokejumper and a medieval historian. Occasionally at the same time.
What is your coaching experience?
I began coaching as a youth player and got serious about it after a major injury sidelined me for an extended period. Overall, I coached for thirteen years in Idaho with teams ranging from u12 to high school. I also served for two years as the president of my soccer club before leaving the state to pursue a PhD in medieval history and embarking on an academic career. Nearly twenty years later, I returned to coaching with NORTAC and my high school. I have worked with players ranging from u6 to u13 with the club and am currently coaching with the B13 boys.
Alexi Salvador
Do you have any nicknames?
Nope
When and where were you born?
Tacoma, WA
Did you play soccer growing up? If so, what positions did you play and for who?
I played as a winger or a central midfielder. I played for NORTAC Sparta, UPSC Rovers, Lakewood FC
Who is your favorite soccer player?
Lionel Messi
Why do you enjoy coaching soccer?
I enjoy being a part of my players' soccer journeys and seeing how to grow individually, and as a team. Each player has their own unique style of play and their set of strengths. It is awesome being able to see them realize their potential as they continue playing the game.
What is an interesting fact about you?
I have two Boston Terriers (Waffles and Ollie).
What is your coaching experience?
I have been coaching with Sparta Tacoma since 2019. I also coach high school soccer at Kent-Meridian High School.
Dan Knouff
Do you have any nicknames?
Dan (short for Daniel)
When and where were you born?
Tacoma, WA
Did you play soccer growing up? If so, what positions did you play and for who?
Yes, striker mid field, SEAA, Franklin Pierce High School, FPSC
Why do you enjoy coaching soccer?
Coaching to me is about leadership, the willingness to be led and understanding the truth about the relationship between each player's behavior style. It is the responsibility of the coach to fight to give each player an opportunity to discover the truth about who they are on the field and how they can support their team as a whole resulting in a successful and positive experience.
What is an interesting fact about you?
I've been a part of this community for more than 40 years and have come to find that every opportunity that is managed is an asset to another opportunity, and that how one cares for each opportunity can impact that relationship in the positive or the negative. Over the past 17 years I have represented my family, the Public Utility and the City as a whole through philanthropic volunteer project management for the better part of a decade. Working as part of a team with varied nonprofit groups, communities and local partners I earned experiences in leadership and engaged in successful adventures that have been recognized at the local, state and national level. These experiences keep me grounded and help me understand the truth about who I am each and every day.
What is your coaching experience?
I coached rec soccer at multiple ages/levels for multiple seasons. Developing now at the select level first as an assistant to the B04-05 age group and now as a head coach of the B11's.
Yong Min Kim
Do you have any nicknames?
Coach Kim
When and where were you born?
August 29 in South Korea
Did you play soccer growing up? If so, what positions did you play and for who?
Yes, played youth soccer with local teams in Hawaii, high school and D3 college in Michigan. Played mostly as Winger/Striker.
Who is your favorite soccer player?
Pele
Why do you enjoy coaching soccer?
I love helping people become better soccer players. I love helping soccer players become better people. I love seeing kids lift their teammates up off the ground.
What is an interesting fact about you?
Over 40 years of Martial Arts experience.
What is your coaching experience?
10+ years of coaching soccer starting from Recreational and currently coaching middle school and high school. USSF F & E license, USC National Diploma.
Denis Pichette
Do you have any nicknames?
None
When and where were you born?
September 14 in San Diego, CA
Did you play soccer growing up? If so, what positions did you play and for who?
Yes usually played Midfielder
Who is your favorite soccer player?
No personal favorite
What is an interesting fact about you?
Lived overseas before moving back to the States in Elementary school
What is your coaching experience?
30 plus years of coaching experience
Scott Nelson
Do you have any nicknames?
No
When and where were you born?
Chicago Illinois, but I have lived in the NW since 1983
Did you play soccer growing up? If so, what positions did you play and for who?
Started playing in high school and played on competitive teams at various levels as an adult.
Who is your favorite soccer player?
Robert Lewandowski
Why do you enjoy coaching soccer?
I think that soccer is the best sport there is, and I love to share my knowledge and enthusiasm for the game with kids of all ages and abilities.
What is an interesting fact about you?
I currently have a side gig translating Spanish-language soccer books into English for a publisher in Argentina.
What is your coaching experience?
Almost 3 decades of youth coaching experience and every age and level imaginable. Fomer Nortac DOC, former Washington Youth Soccer Instructional staff. Former Sounders (USL) youth coach.
Dave O'neill
Besides coaching the boys 2008 team, Dave also holds the position of Director of Coaching for NORTAC. Dave gained his experience and passion for youth-soccer first as a player, then a coach and eventually as a club administrator while holding youth director and head coach positions with Seattle United FC and Federal Way FC. He currently serves as a coach evaluator for United Soccer Coaches, is a health and physical education teacher with Federal Way Public Schools and recently completed his USSF - A Youth license - the highest youth coaching license in the country.
What about off the field?
I was born in Los Angeles and moved to England when I was seven, immediately becoming immersed in the football (soccer) culture. I live in North Tacoma with my wife, Meghan and our son, Owen, and daughter, Maeve. I'm passionate about health and fitness a sports fanatic and I love to travel, cycle and play golf.
Trevor Schuler
Do you have any nicknames?
No
When and where were you born?
Tacoma, WA
Did you play soccer growing up? If so, what positions did you play and for who?
Yes I played Highschool and College soccer at CWU. I also played for Puyallup Alliance FC.
Who is your favorite soccer player?
Andres Iniesta
Why do you enjoy coaching soccer?
I love being able to share my passion and knowledge about the game.
What is an interesting fact about you?
I have met a Ballon D'or winner.
What is your coaching experience?
I have been coaching youth club soccer for 3 years. I also work for OL Reign, the professional women's soccer team.
Keith Beasinger
Do you have any nicknames?
No
When and where were you born?
Born Greenville, SC on July 13
Did you play soccer growing up? If so, what positions did you play and for who?
Yes, played Sweeper (center back) Striker Tacoma Baptist High School State Champs 1A soccer then 6th in state against all competition. Played college at Bob Jones University
Who is your favorite soccer player?
Weston McKinnie, Christian Pulisic
Why do you enjoy coaching soccer?
I did not have parental support as a player so I love the opportunity to support kids and see them love soccer! I Love competition, love helping individual players improve, love trying to build teams to play at higher levels-enjoy the challenge.
What is an interesting fact about you?
I have three boys who played for Sparta and two of those played D2 college and other one could have but did not want to play college.
What is your coaching experience?
As a coach 26 seasons of Boys-Girls High School soccer, 9 seasons Girls Middle School, 23 club team seasons
Tony Crudo
Do you have any nicknames?
Tony (short for Anthony)
When and where were you born?
Detroit, Michigan
Did you play soccer growing up? If so, what positions did you play and for who?
Yes, I played youth soccer. Lake City Blues.
Who is your favorite soccer player?
Messi
Why do you enjoy coaching soccer?
I like to see players learn the game and understand how they can impact it with their decisions.
What is an interesting fact about you?
I like to Write songs and record all of the instruments and vocals in my leisure time.
What is your coaching experience?
I teach special Ed. In the Five School District.
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