After ten years of focusing on his Seaholm Varsity Soccer family, head coach David Reed-Nordwall decided to step down from that role in order to focus on his own family.
Reed-Nordwall’s relationship with his family is his highest priority now that his wife started a new teaching job at Birmingham Groves.
“My wife was finally able to teach,” Reed-Nordwall said. “That means my family needs me to come home and take care of them.”
Reed-Nordwall will have to get used to his new life without soccer. Among many things he will miss, such as summer soccer and the excitement of playoffs, he will miss his players the most.
“I’ll really miss relationships with the boys [on the team],” said Reed-Nordwall.
The team finished in ninth place out of thirteen teams in the OAA white with a divisional record of 3-7-2 and had an overall record of 5-13-4.
Many of Reed-Nordwall’s players cherish the relationship they shared with their head coach and mentor.
“During the four years I have played for him he has helped me develop as a player and as a person,” said four-year varsity midfielder and two-year captain Brandon Wiseman. “I can’t thank him enough for that.”
Wiseman is one of many players that have helped Reed-Nordwall turn the program into what he called a Division I threat over the past few years.
“The leadership that I had gave everything they had despite injuries and other problems,” said Reed-Nordwall. “They’ve built the team into a competitive Division I program.”
The returning players will take what Reed-Nordwall had taught them with them next year and for the rest of their lives.
“[Playing for Reed-Nordwall] was a great experience,” said junior midfielder Eric Morandi. “I learned a lot from him.”
Other players didn’t embrace his teachings at first. However they learned to take in everything that he had to offer.
It was challenging and frustrating at time,” senior forward Jake Khiele said. “But it was ultimately rewarding.”
Despite their record, Reed-Nordwall’s believes his final season as head coach was success and a step forward for the program.
“I think it was a great building season,” said Reed-Nordwall. “We had a very young team.”
At this point there is no search for Reed-Nordwall’s predecessor.
“After the banquet we’ll post the job,” said Athletic Director Aaron Frank. “We’ll hire the best person we can find.”
As for Reed-Nordwall, he is content with his decision and is taking each day as they come. Reed-Nordwall has no plans of returning to coaching for Seaholm or any other team at this point in time.
Reed-Nordwall has only good wishes for all the returning players next year and for the program as a whole.
“They have a wonderful program to be part of,” said Reed-Nordwall. “I am proud of them and I wish them the best luck in the future.”
