BORN
TO FLY
Let's hear from some parents about their experience with Born to Fly!
“Coach William Vanzela is one of the best goalkeeper trainers for kids of all ages. His knowledge of the position is elite, but what truly sets him apart is how he connects with each player individually. Whether he’s working with a beginner just learning the basics or an advanced keeper refining high-level details, Coach Vanzela knows exactly how to push them to the next level while keeping sessions fun, positive, and motivating. He brings a professional background standard to every training session, emphasizing proper technique, confidence, decision-making, and game realism. He’s incredibly patient, detail-oriented, and genuinely invested in each goalkeeper’s growth, not just as an athlete, but as a person. Kids leave every session more confident, better prepared, and excited to get back in goal. If you’re looking for a goalkeeper coach who truly cares, teaches the game the right way, and gets real results, Coach William Vanzela is the absolute best. Highly recommended and our son Zach went from his first session learning how to dive and 5 years later was playing in MLS Next All-Star game and committed to play at Maryland D1!”
Chris Cielewich
Name, Title
“About 9 years ago our son was trialing with a very prestigious coach at a very popular club for quite a while. They said he would never be a goalkeeper. I found William and got him to take our son for 3 sessions. “I’ll know if he can make it by then” he told me. After 1 session he said, “your son has it, he can be an excellent goalkeeper if he wants” Fast forward…. -US U15 youth national team trial invite -ECNL Mid Atlantic 1st team -All county for high school -1st team all-metro for high school -1st team all-state for high school -DC United Academy player -Annapolis Blues player -D1 scholarship recipient to Loyola University. All achieved as a goalkeeper who was told he’d never be a goalkeeper in the beginning by others. I’d say Willam was right with his day 1 assessment. His advice is truly from the heart as much as his own past experiences. William tells our son what he needs to hear, not always what he wants to hear. His guidance has changed our son’s life for the better without question. William has become family”
Steve Mays
“We first brought our son to Coach Vanzela when he was just a wide-eyed eight-year-old in oversized gloves. Eight years later, we aren’t just looking at a skilled goalkeeper, but a resilient, confident young adult. Coach Vanzela has been much more than a trainer; he has been a mentor who taught our child how to handle the pressure of a penalty kick and the setbacks of a tough loss with equal grace. Consistence is the key to elite goalkeeping, and having Coach Vanzela in our corner for the last eight years has made all the difference. From mastering basic footwork to developing the advanced tactical awareness required for high-level play, the progression has been seamless and professional. Our son has grown from a recreational player into a standout starter, and we owe that trajectory to the steady, expert coaching provided year after year.”
Kristen Burgess
“Liam has been working with Coach Vanzela for almost 5 years and the growth we have seen is tremendous. Coach Vanzela teaches proper technique, positioning, field awareness and communication skills. It’s not just that Liam has become a better goalie and has become more technical and making more saves, he has become a better teammate and a better person. Coach Vanzela teaches that failure is a part of sports and life and how to overcome it to grow and develop. At the end of the day, he wants his players to come to training because they love to train and play, and Liam loves every session run by Coach Vanzela and his staff. Born to Fly is the best!”
Jill Donohue Hecklinger
"Our son has trained with Coach William and Born to Fly since 2021. His growth. maturity, and confidence both on and off then field have skyrocketed ever since. William and the Born to Fly coaches have been absolutely invaluable to our son, teaching technique, tactics, and strategy of the position.
What sets Born to Fly and William apart from other goalkeeper trainers is the focus on the mental and social aspects of the position. Goalkeeper is a unique and often lonely position. Born to Fly's experienced goalkeeping staff have been through these challenges and can mentor your player through the psychological ups and downs of the position, not just the technique.
William and Born to Fly demand dedication and accountability from their goalkeepers. If your child is ready to make the investment in their own development, William and Born to Fly are ready to make that investment in your child. They honestly care about your child, their goals, and their development."
Henry Carley
“ We have worked with Coach Vanzela and Born to Fly for six years and still go to the trainings, clinics, and camps throughout the year. He and his team really care about every player.
Born to Fly pushes players to get better every day as goalkeepers and as people. We are really grateful for everything Born to Fly has taught our daughter.”
Noel McCutcheon
"We do love being a part of your program :) and it's all you and how you run it. Even as it gets bigger you are still connecting kid by kid!!! :) If you need a picture let us know.
Our family feels incredibly lucky to have found William and 'Born to Fly.' While being trained by such an accomplished keeper is a major draw, it is William's ability to connect and provide honest feedback that keeps us coming back. He clearly explains developmental milestones and invites parents to watch and learn so they can support their child’s growth between sessions.
Over the last four years, our daughter has worked hard, each year getting a little better to finally earn a spot on a high-level GA team this year, a feat she couldn’t have achieved without William’s training and the motivating environment he creates. She is always excited for practice and truly enjoys being there. One of the best aspects of his coaching is how he speaks with the kids about their goals and what is required to reach them. It is rewarding to see a player take ownership of their training because of how he pushes them. We highly recommend William for any keeper at any stage of their journey."
Shane Splitt
As if being a professional goalie wasn't enough of a qualification for us to consider having our daughter train with William, we quickly solidified our decision when we watched him train her for the first time. William's keen attention to detail, thorough understanding of every technique, and his perfect mix of humor, seriousness, and compassion topped the cake. We, without a doubt, know that utilizing William to train our little keeper, has propelled her skills to the level of her being noticed by other coaches.
Cathrine and Adam Edelton
"Coach William and his staff of coaches have not only made Arlington a more skilled goal keeper, they have also consistently shown care and concern for her mental and emotional growth
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Our family is so proud of her and Arlington considers it an honor to say she is trained by Born to Fly!"
Nicole Spearman
"Born to Fly has been a blessing for my son. Being new to the area and having a son who decided to play soccer as a Gk at 6 or 7 years of age, I did not know where to start to give him the proper training. I remember being super excited for my son my receive the first flier for summer camp. I told myself finally someone will teach him properly. From that point, I knew he was in good hands. I have yet to be disappointed. The sessions (individual or group), the mini camps, and summer camp have contributed significantly to my son progression. Although he used to drive the coaches crazy, my son has matured as a player and as a person. I would recommend this GK academy to anyone whose son or daughter is interested in playing as a GK because it is the best in the area. We appreciate all the great coaches and sessions."
Olga Fopouenowski
