Board and Coaches

We are pleased to add Stephen Blake as a coach to HVU! Stephen comes to us with a wealth of playing and coaching experience. Stephen was an international for Fiji, representing his country on the Under17, 20 and 23 Olympic qualifying tournaments and at World Cup qualifications for U17 and U20 teams, achieving the level of U20 world cup third runners up for the small nation! He went on to play as a scholarship athlete at BYU Hawaii where he was captain of the 2006 State Men’s state championship team. There he received a degree in Exercise and Sports Science. As he turned to coaching and teaching, he has specialized as a sports and fitness trainer and physical therapist in many roles, and in soccer, he has coached club and Olympic development Program levels in Hawaii, and in Utah with the Celtic Club. In his current position at American Heritage school, he teaches elementary age physical education as well as coaching the middle school and high school aged boy’s programs.

DJ, is a former world champion level skier, and his coaching career began at the University of Colorado ski team. As a skier he competed three times in the FIS World Championships and twice in the Olympic Winter Games. He coached with the US Ski Team 2002-2017. Eventually, he turned his focus back to soccer. He was a competitive level player in Colorado, including state select teams. He is the co-owner of Athletic Republic in Heber City and Lehi, which specializes in sport-specific, individualized programming for athletes preparing for the upcoming season, gaining an advantage in the off-season, or keeping their skills sharp during the season. He has a degree in kinesiology and applied physiology, serves on HV United’s Executive Committee, and is a USSF C license holder.

Gretchen, is a former starting goalkeeper at UNC-Chapel Hill and played for the U.S. Womens National Team (USWNT). She is honored in the National Soccer Hall of Fame and was the first American woman to play professional soccer, doing so in the Japan Ladies Soccer League. Turning to coaching full time in 1994, Gretchen earned the USSF A License (highest level attainable) and has coached collegiately at CSU-San Bernardino, San Diego State, and Cornell. She has also worked extensively with premier clubs; state, regional, and national ODP; and professional team, Shiroki FC. She currently holds a USSF B license, serves on HV United’s Executive Committee

Tara, is a Utah native and former, four-year collegiate player at the University of Utah. She has coached for High Country Soccer club in Summit County Colorado and HV United for over 10 years. She currently hold a USSF D license and is the Wasatch High Girls Head Coach.

Ariel, is a former player with Colorado Rush/Chatfield High School/University of Northern Colorado, ODP Region IV, Colorado All-State, etc. She played on scholarship in college, semi-pro indoor and outdoor teams, and amateur leagues. Ariel has coached since she was 16 years old for a variety of ages, abilities, and environments – including, but not limited to, Colorado Rush Soccer Club, Chantilly Youth Soccer Association, Smyrna Soccer Club, Global Premier Soccer Georgia, SAE School, Wasatch High School, and Heber Valley Soccer Club. She currently holds a USSF C license, serves on HV United’s Executive Committee. Ariel is also the Assistant Coach for Wasatch High School Girls.

Ziggy, a native Croatian, played professionally for Dinamo Zagreb, Plamen–Grahorova, FC Kapfenburg, FC Corinthians, Wichita Wings, and the San Diego Sockers. He earned a degree in Sport Specialist – Soccer and Economics, from the University of Zagreb-Croatia, holds a USSF C License, and the National Level 7 Referee grade. Ziggy brings us 40 years of soccer coaching experience, including positions with the San Jose Clash, Cornell University, San Diego Sockers, Carolina RailHawks, as well as the U.S. Mens National Team (USMNT) and U.S. Mens Olympic teams. He served as a national director for Soccer Plus Goalkeeping Camps for over 22 years.

Juan- born in Asuncion Paraguay, Chino was a professional player for nearly a decade, beginning with Sol de America in 2004 and finishing professional play with the famous club, River Plate through 2012. We’re lucky he landed in Heber Valley and is passionate about coaching youth soccer! He is currently working on his National “B” level coaching license.

Stephen- grew up in Sandy, Utah and played youth soccer for Sparta United, collegiately at Whitman College in Washington State, then professionally for the Kitsap Pumas in Bremerton WA., and the Tonjii Soccer Club in China. Fluent in Chinese, Stephen began coaching in Shanghai. Coach Phillips then worked for Sparta United for over 10 years, working with all youth ages, boys and girls, with league championships, state cup titles, and coaching accolades in the mix. Stephen is a National C licensed coach and a Masters level teacher of Art and is excited to continue coaching for Heber as part of a community he and his family call home.

Isaac-a local product, Isaac played at Wasatch High School, earning, among other awards, 1st team All region and a state championship. He played club for the then Heber Valley Storm and the Rangers FC, and collegiately at Southern Virginia University. He has been an assistant coach at Wasatch High School, and has coached with the then Heber Valley Storm club and now Heber Valley United. He also enjoys working as a private trainer for players in the valley.

Ben Powell is a product of the Heber Valley Storm Club from the early 2000’s. He was a championship winning High school standout, Academic All American and First team All -State in Utah for multiple years.
He was also captain and the leading goal scorer. At thee Heber Valley Storm they won D1 level in their last year of competition in 2012. He is a “D” License coach and will specialize in our younger girl’s age groups , having three beautiful daughters and recently relocating back to the Heber Valley. He also enjoys refereeing and continuing to play in Men’s league competitions.