At Western Washington Surf SC, our commitment to empowering young women through the beautiful game is embodied in our motto, She Is Surf. Few individuals represent this ethos more than Kiara Goodwin, a former player and now full-time head coach with the club. Her story is one of growth, resilience, and giving back to the next generation of players who, like her, dream of making their mark on the pitch.
Kiara’s connection to the club runs deep, having started her competitive soccer journey with NPSA (formerly Titans FC), a predecessor of what is now Western Washington Surf. Under the guidance of our club’s founder, Adam Nowland, Kiara learned the importance of hard work and leadership, values she now passes on to her players.
Reflecting on Kiara’s return to the club, Adam shared:
“It is one of the best achievements any coach could have to see a youth player that you’ve worked with return to the club as a coach. I had the pleasure of coaching Kiara for several years, and she was a dominant, fierce player who led by example on the field. I am very happy to see Kiara come back to the club as a Head Coach, and I know she will be a fantastic role model and mentor for the players on her teams.”
Kiara’s journey has come full circle, and her experience as a player has shaped her approach to coaching. We caught up with her for a Q&A to learn more about her coaching philosophy and how she hopes to inspire the players she now leads.
Q&A with Kiara Goodwin
What’s your background in youth soccer, and what brought you back to coach with WW Surf SC?
NPSA (at the time) was the first real club team I joined after playing rec soccer. I had a friend on the team who invited me out for a tryout, and it was history after that. Out of all the clubs I’ve played for, Titans made me feel seen and appreciated and encouraged me to grow instead of expecting perfection off the bat. Keenan reached out to me on a whim and asked if I would be interested in coaching, and I said why not? I loved playing at this club so much I wanted to make sure other kids got the same experience I did.
What did you retain most from your time playing under Adam’s coaching?
What I’ve retained most from playing was “Be brave” and “All in.” Adam would drill that into our heads every single game. I understand learning new skills is scary and challenging, but having confidence is the key.
How does it feel to be coaching at the club where you once played?
It feels weird being on the other side of things. I never imagined I would be a coach, let alone for the club that gave me so much joy and some of my closest friends. But I love knowing that I’m helping the next generation of players fall in love with the game like I have.
What’s the most rewarding part of coaching for you?
The most rewarding part about coaching is seeing my coaching in play. I love watching players evolve in real time, and watching each game get better and better is amazing to see.
What do you want to instill in your players?
I want to instill the idea of always pushing yourself. You play how you practice, and that rings true throughout life. I want players to go through life with confidence, even in stressful situations. I want my players to understand that making mistakes is part of the process and a necessary evil.
Kiara Goodwin exemplifies what it means to be Surf Strong. Her journey from player to coach reflects not only her personal growth but also the club’s ongoing commitment to developing confident, capable young women both on and off the field.
