BVC Coaches Who Make a Difference  

Coach Ryan Poling

 Double Success doing Double Duty

At a glance, a scoreboard tells a simple story. Wins, losses, standings. But anyone who has spent time around high school athletics knows the real story is almost always deeper—and far more meaningful. At Big Valley Christian, that deeper story is being written every day by boys and girls soccer coach Ryan Poling.

Taking over not just one, but two programs is no small task. It requires time, vision, and a willingness to build from the ground up. For Coach Poling, that foundation has focused on something more lasting: fundamentals, character, and a Christ-centered identity that defines what it means to be a Christian student-athlete.

From the very beginning, Coach Poling established a clear tone. Practices weren’t just about sharpening technical skills, though those were emphasized and steadily improved; they were about accountability, discipline, and growth. Players were challenged to give their best effort, to be coachable, and to support one another. The expectation was simple but powerful: compete with excellence and represent something bigger than yourself.

In a season where wins may not have always shown up in the standings, something else became clear to those paying attention. Growth was happening. Confidence was building. Young athletes were learning how to handle adversity, persevere, and support their teammates when things didn’t go their way.

Coach Poling is building a culture where competing and faith are not separate ideas, but fully intertwined. His players are learning that playing hard and playing with purpose go hand in hand. That discipline on the field reflects discipline in life. And that honoring God can happen through effort, attitude, and the way they treat others.

That is the true measure of a program.

Coach Poling is doing more than coaching soccer. He is shaping lives, building character, and pointing his athletes toward a higher purpose. And in that sense, the victories are already clear.

Go Lions.

#WorshipInAction  #itsallworship

See all sports photos at 📸 Photos by Jennifer Mangelos