PORT ORCHARD, WA—Tall, talented, experienced, calm under pressure. That’s what you want out of your centerback. That’s what Gil Navarro is ready to deliver once again for Port Orchard FC in 2024. He’ll roam the back and also chat with the sidelines as a player coach.
Seasoned Veteran, Valuable Coach
Gil looks around the pitch and sees plenty of guys at an earlier part of their soccer careers. Those guys in turn see Gil as a quiet leader and an example of staying fit and staying with the game. “As a player coach, my role is to do my best on the field and provide input to our coaching staff. My approach will be the same as it has been for the past 25 years playing the sport. Play as hard as I can and provide my team with the best opportunity to win.”
Busy Times
May 19 POFC kicks off against Steel United in a preseason friendly and Navarro will be looking at his calendar of soccer to fit that date in. He’s been coaching at Central Kitsap with the C-Team Cougars boys and assisting with the varsity boys team currently ranked #2 in state. He’s also coached CKHS and middle school JV girls. He played indoor soccer with the Olypen Force over the winter and helped them make the Western Indoor Soccer League (WISL) semifinals after a 5-year playoff absence. It’s all part of a full soccer life which includes being part of the Port Orchard FC family too.
Community Involvement
Taking the pitch is just part of what Port Orchard Football Club does. “The community involvement is my favorite part of POFC,” Navarro says. “Our administrative staff, coaches, sponsors and fans are second to none. This support makes our players commit to the program. It makes us push ourselves and provide a product our community would be proud of.”
2023 Still Fresh In The Mind
Navarro allows a quick look back at last season. The new campaign is rushing forward, but how do you let go of what happened in 2023? “Winning the CPL 2 Championship,” Gil says as he lists moments he wants to cherish. “It was a tough game against great competition, but we were the better team and earned promotion to CPL 1.” He thinks of one more. “The comeback at Grays Harbor, showing our mental fortitude.”
Numbers Do Not Apply
Gil Navarro is older than most of the players on POFC. How much older? Numbers do not apply. He’s got got game.
“As a competitor I enjoy pushing myself, he says. “Playing against great young talent is difficult. Their speed of play is fast and reactions are quick but using my experience and desire to compete keeps me going. Pushing my body during gym and training sessions is important, but recovery is the most important part of my training this year.”
