Coach
Claire Lau
Coach Claire grew up in Oakland, CA and played at Occidental College in Los Angeles. She has been coaching for 5 years for various teams in San Francisco, Marin, Los Angeles and now Hawai'i. Read below to find out what she loves about coaching!
What made you want to become a coach?
I started coaching right out of high school and loved the teaching aspect of the sport and watching players grow. Finding the balance between being a player and a coach played a huge role in finding my own voice as a player, teacher and mentor.
What is your favorite part about coaching?
Getting to know my players through their personalities and playing styles.
What is one piece of advice you would give to young soccer players?
Always find a way to stay connected to the sport even when you're not playing.
What is your most memorable moment as a coach?
My very first team that I ever coached was a JV high school boys team right out of high school. Being a part of that team and leading them towards their own goals and achievements became a benchmark of success for myself as a coach. The culture and community we had created together as a group is something I still hope to achieve with all my teams.
Who was your soccer coach/player role model? Why?
I grew up with two sisters, all playing on various competitive soccer teams, and would train together outside of our teams. On the field they were smart and technical and off the field became leaders. Watching my sisters play from when we were kids, through high school and college, even though I was playing alongside them, they easily became my role models. Their successes became my successes because of how I was able to look up to and learn from them. Favorite professional players? Alyssa Thompson, Kelley O'Hara and Christine Sinclair.
What does success look like to you as a coach?
Success to me is all in the growth and development of players. And with that growth and development comes a special kind of joy that can only be experienced when achieving those developmental goals little by little. To be able to see those moments of joy in my players is a sign of success.
What do you hope players will take away from playing on your team?
I hope that players will be able to find the joy in playing whether that be though newfound skills, developing a deeper tactical understanding, or leadership within the team. I hope that from each practice they can take away something to improve upon and grow from as a team and player.
What is a fun fact about yourself that you’d like to share with the Crush community!
When not coaching, I'm probably surfing, going on long runs, fostering dogs or making art. My various former art school adventures in London, Boston and Los Angeles prompted me to run my own clothing company (Thick Mint Co.), too.