This year, Berkeley High School has welcomed Coach John Tamrat as the new head coach for the womens varsity soccer team. As the girls freshman soccer team’s coach for the past five years, this isn’t Tamrat’s first year with the program and players, however, it is his first year stepping into the role of varsity head coach. He brings with him an abundance of experience, a deep passion for the sport, and a vision for success both on and off the field. For Tamrat, this role is more than just a coaching position, it’s a chance to give back to the sport that shaped his life.
“Being named head coach of (Berkeley High School’s) varsity girls soccer team is incredibly meaningful to me because I’ve seen firsthand how transformative soccer can be,” Tamrat said. He has felt a very deep connection to soccer throughout his entire life. “The game has given me lifelong friendships, opportunities, and a sense of community,” Tamrat said.
His hope is to develop his players not only as driven athletes, but also as confident, creative, and resilient individuals. Tamrat’s coaching philosophy emphasizes building a culture of hard work, while prioritizing player development and teamwork. “Success on the field starts with a commitment to hard work, discipline, and a high standard of excellence to everything we do,” he said.
On the soccer field, Tamrat coaches a high-tempo and possession-based style of play, with plenty of room for players to showcase creativity and confidence in execution of skills on the ball. He hopes to create a competitive training environment where players push themselves and each other to improve every practice and everyday. “By competing at a high level in practice, players not only sharpen their own skills, but also elevate their teammates’ performance,” Tamrat said.
Alongside this environment built on intensity and holding each other accountable, he is focused on encouraging players to rise to challenges and support one another whenever they are able to do so.
With the ability to achieve these goals both on and off the field, Tamrat is setting specific goals, for both this season and upcoming years within the program. “I want us to compete at a high level, play with confidence, and build a sense of identity as a team,” he said.
Long term, Tamrat envisions creating a program that consistently contends for championships, while also holding a reputation for a positive environment. He hopes to empower young athletes to succeed in soccer and beyond the field.
BHS sophomore and varsity soccer player Vivien Chiu expressed optimism about having Tamrat as the head coach. “I was excited because when I had met him last year, I thought he was really nice and communicative,” Chiu said about Tamrat. Chiu believes that Tamrat’s clear communication skills and positive feedback are standout qualities that will promote success. “I think the team has adapted, and there’s been a little bit of a change in team culture from last year because of the difference in coaching styles,” Chiu said about the coaching transition.
For Tamrat, the most rewarding part of coaching is seeing how the players grow, on and off the soccer pitch. “Watching someone gain confidence, master a new skill, or achieve something they didn’t think was possible is incredibly fulfilling,” Tamrat said. He feels that learning discipline in a sport, especially from a younger age, can help players grow in all aspects of their character. “I love being part of their journey, whether it’s a big win, a personal breakthrough, or seeing how the life lessons from soccer translate into their lives beyond the game,” Tamrat said.
Tamrat has high hopes for both player development and team wins during this season at BHS. He is especially fond of seeing how happy players are when their hard work and practice can finally pay off with big wins. “Those moments remind me why I continue this journey as a coach.”