Rafael Castillo is HNT Boys Soccer Coach of the Year

Rafael Castillo is more than a coach.  He’s a teacher, a confidant, a mentor. For his efforts as the New Brunswick boys soccer coach, Castillo is the 2015 Home News Tribune Boys Soccer Coach of the Year.

The 31-year-old coach led the Zebras to a 20-2 record, a semifinal appearance in the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament and an appearance in the NJSIAA Group IV semifinal. It was, by a large measure, the most successful season in recent memory for New Brunswick.

After finishing last season at 13-5 and making it to the quarterfinals in the GMC and state tournaments, Castillo wanted to build upon his team’s success, even if his team was being overlooked.

“Although we did well, we never played at a high level, and I think that’s why people didn’t pay attention to us,” Castillo said. “I told the guys I wanted to do a little better this year and I can say with confidence we did that.”

Kevin Sanchez is 2015 Home News Tribune Player of Year

Tapping the talent in New Brunswick’s Latino community, Castillo was able to put together a skilled, but raw, team this year. Many kids came from the local recreational leagues and those who did, including wunderkind Kevin Sanchez, were used to playing by their own rules. Castillo had to break them down.

“We focused more on improving on the work ethic that was lacking in past years,” Castillo said. “Respect for the game, coaches and themselves is what we hammered home.”

Discipline and hard work isn’t reserved just for the players, it’s also required of Castillo and his staff. The coaches participate in all the drills with the players, even if the players chide their coaches for being the old-timers.

“We do everything together as a family,” Castillo said. “When the coaches take part in practice, it motivates the kids to do that much better.”

What’s perhaps most impressive about Castillo is his work with his players in the classroom. A part of the school’s academic aid program Play It Smart, Castillo provides academic support, tutoring sessions and personal one-on-one meetings if necessary.

“In order to get ahead in life, you have to do well in the classroom,” Castillo said. “It sets forth that discipline too. If you have discipline in the classroom, you’ll have it on the soccer field.”

Some of Castillo’s players are recent immigrants to the United States, and he aids his Spanish-speaking players in adjusting to the culture and in some cases, learning a new language.

Having emigrated from Panama as a young boy, Castillo knows the struggle of his players. Having a coach they can relate to pays dividends for the players both on and off the field.

“It can be a lonely place coming from a different country and not knowing how to navigate through the system,” Castillo said. “Having a coach that understands what that feels like and can speak to them one-on-one not only in English but also Spanish builds that connection and eventually trust.”

Staff Writer Daniel LoGiudice: dlogiudice@gannettnj.com