The annual Kevin Gray Awards, this year presented by Global Sports International and sponsored by Sporting Kansas City, are given to honor a man who was truly innovative in the growth of sports in Kansas City and to recognize the achievements of soccer players and coaches in the Kansas City area. Each year, as the event nears, we here at Sporting Kansas City like to see where some of our past winners have gone and catch up on any new achievements they have made. The first Kevin Gray Spotlight this year goes to Vlatko Andonovski, the 2015 Adult Coach of the Year winner.
Vlatko is the current head coach of the very successful FC Kansas City, who are coming off a repeat NWSL Championship. He is also the head coach of the Missouri Comets, who are members of the Major Arena Soccer League. With these two titles alone it is clear that Vlatko is no stranger to the sport or the role of coaching.
When asked what winning the Adult Coach of the Year meant to him, he explained that it was a great honor and accomplishment. He went on to mention the other coaches that he was nominated alongside and how much of a privilege it was. Andonovski then stated that although winning was a very rewarding experience, it just meant the bar was now raised higher for him.
In addition to being very well rehearsed in the game of soccer and coaching in general, Andonovski has contributed much of his time, talent, and knowledge specifically to the Kansas City area, and not only to the adult leagues. Vlatko has made his name known throughout the youth soccer scene in Kansas City with four Missouri state championships and one national championship.
When asked what his greatest achievement as a coach has been, he referred to the back-to-back championships recently with FC Kansas City. However, his main focus was on “developing the relationships with such amazing athletes that will last a lifetime.” This response then leads into being asked what the most rewarding part of being a coach has been. Vlatko once again referenced his relationships and associations he has made with his players and the positive impact he has been able to make on their lives through the game of soccer.
Furthermore, Andonovski has worked hard to put Kansas City on the soccer map. Vlatko states that “Kansas City soccer in general, starting from youth to both women and men professionally, has been a way of life for me.” If we were to go through his past players, we would probably find them all over the country playing at higher levels and continuing a game that they were taught to love by Andonovski and that we all love. When he was asked where he sees himself moving forward as a coach he simply stated “soccer coach life is unpredictable, but I am extremely happy where I am right now and would love to be around for a long time."
As soccer fans and close followers, we hope that you are around for a long time as well, Vlatko! Check back in next week to see the results of this year’s Kevin Gray Awards as Vlatko has once again been nominated for the Adult Coach of the Year for his contribution to the game of soccer in Kansas City.
