Aiea assistant girls soccer coaches Wanette Miyashiro and Joelle Sugai are former Na Alii players who also played at UH.
Aiea’s extra boost
Two former Wahine players
are an immense help as
Na Alii soccer assistants
DURING his 14 years as head coach of the Aiea High School girls soccer program, Gordon Matsuoka has preached the importance of academics and leadership, and personal development as well as excellence on the field.
With a number of players who have advanced to the college ranks, dozens of All-State selections, league all-stars, and seven HHSAA state tournament appearances in the past eight seasons, Matsuoka's approach has worked.
Last season, Na Alii went 10-0 in Oahu Interscholastic Association play to capture the West Division crown, reaching the state tournament semifinals for the second straight year.
But when Matsuoka and longtime assistant Ken Arakawa want to illustrate the importance of their philosophical approach to coaching, they do not need to rattle off their list of accomplishments as a program.
All they need to do is point to assistant coaches Wanette Miyashiro and Joelle Sugai.
Both All-State and four-time All-OIA West Division picks at Aiea, Miyashiro and Sugai went on to play soccer at the highest intercollegiate level, lettering four seasons apiece for the University of Hawaii.
Besides enjoying success on the field, they also excelled in the classroom, distinguishing themselves as two of the most decorated student-athletes in the Rainbow Wahine program's history.
Miyashiro and Sugai led the Aiea girls soccer players through drills at the school's athletic field during a recent practice.
Two-time all-conference midfielder Sugai drove Hawaii opponents batty as the Wahine's left midfielder, starting in a school-record 81 consecutive matches, earning three academic all-region honors.
Last week, she became just the second Academic All-American in program history as a third-team pick on the Verizon/College Sports Information Directors of America squad.
Like Miyashiro, Sugai also captained the Wahine for three years.
"It's been terrific having them around," Matsuoka said. "Both of them have been great for us. We feel that not only do we need to develop good players, but we also have to develop their academics and leadership skills. Wanette and Joelle are great examples of that."
Competing with and against players who have gone on to play for various national team programs has been an invaluable resource for the Aiea girls.
"I think it helps that we can always give them advice since we've been there," said Miyashiro, whose older sisters Wynne and Wendy also starred for Matsuoka at Aiea. "We always encourage them to go onto college. Having played in college, our advice is valuable to them."
Sugai agreed.
"We try to help them in any way we can," Sugai said. "We tell them that you have to be dedicated. Especially if you're getting a scholarship, it's your job and you have to be committed. It's a 24-7 job during the season and it takes a lot of sacrifice and discipline."
Na Alii are grateful for their tutelage.
"We can learn a lot from them," tri-captain Ambree Ako said. "They can teach us all that they learned at UH, and they have really helped our team become close so we can play better together."
Fellow captain Tehane Higa agreed.
"Having them around has been a big advantage," Higa said. "They know a lot about the game because they've experienced it."
FRESH OFF her senior season at Hawaii, Sugai has enjoyed the transition.
"I always wanted to give back and show some appreciation since I learned so much in high school," Sugai said. "It's just so comfortable coming back, it's like coming home. I try to help as much as I can and try to encourage them."
Now entering her sixth season assisting the Na Alii, Miyashiro has found gratification in her return as well.
"It's been fun being able to work with my coach," Miyashiro said. "Being able to help him has been fulfilling and there's always memories that come back, since he coached me and my sisters. I have been lucky to come back to Aiea. I don't think I would coach anywhere else."
Having two prime role models for his players on the sidelines has been a blessing for Matsuoka and his team.
"They've been like that since they first came out as freshmen," Matsuoka said. "They were always there when there was work to be done, that's just how they are. They were always doing more than they needed to do and led by example.
"Now as coaches, they've made everything easy for us. Wanette is very innovative and she comes up with some terrific drills and runs practice and is great with team bonding. Joelle has a lot of energy and enthusiasm, and always has advice. It really has been gratifying for me."
SENIOR ALL-STATE defender Higa has benefited from the experience of her coaches, and may be the next Na Alii to play at the Division-I level, following in the footsteps of Wanette and Wendy Miyashiro and Sugai.
"Tehane's definitely D-I material," Miyashiro said. "She's very talented all-around, and is very poised on the field. She always seems to know what to do at the right time and she is always in the right place and she plays with such passion."
Having already taught Na Alii the significance of personal development, Miyashiro and Sugai have also displayed the importance of giving back to their community.
"We're lucky to have them around," said tri-captain Kelly Ann Chang. "They've both had so much publicity and success, they don't need to come back and help. They could be doing a lot of other things with their time besides coming out here every day, but they want to come out and help us reach our goals."
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