I am humbled and proud to share a collection of quotes provided by players, parents, and assistant coaches who I have worked with. Everybody below is available to give a professional reference upon request.
Greg
Parent, Tokyo
Coach Creston is the best coach you could ask for: A strong leader who allows his kids independence; passionate on and off the field; encouraging and warm, he still pushes everyone to stretch their abilities. A great teacher.
Daniel
Athletic Director, tokyo
Creston is a fantastic person to work with. He is highly energetic, knowledgeable and has a contagious passion for the game. As a coach he trusts his players implicitly and one of his great strengths is really bringing forth the strengths of others. As a head coach he was always adaptable and a source of fresh ideas, drills and motivational systems such as the Competitive Cauldron and he consistently sought input from and looked to implement the ideas of his assistant coaches. With limited resources he was able to create an environment where players from a wide range of skill levels felt valued and could authentically contribute to the team. He managed this while still winning games, including our schools first ever championship!
Yassu
PLayer (14), Tokyo
There are not enough magnificent adjectives that could ever describe Coach Creston. This year I was chosen to be the captain of our soccer team. Coach Creston really supported me and taught me leadership although I was one of the youngest captains. He is a really good teacher, but the VVC competition (Competitive Cauldron) that he brought to Nishimachi was just the best. It brought a flickering flame into every soccer player’s eye, it motivated us. The thing that makes the VVC so amazing is that you can thrive in it even if you aren’t the best soccer player (although it does help). It showed us all that it is important to have great sportsmanship, motivation, team spirit, to show up for practice and so much more; it is all about the kind of determination that every player should learn to have. I got all of this from Coach Creston.
Kaaren
Parent, Tokyo
Creston is the type of coach that kids need at this age. He is supportive and motivational, and he gets them to give their best because they know he believes in them and because he is so passionate about the sport. We are very fortunate to have Creston as our school's soccer coach. He is an outstanding asset to our school.
Thanks to Coach Creston, in just one season our 6th grader went from zero experience to goal keeper on the season-ending tournament runners up. He spent time outside of team practices to teach her the game and the skills she needed to be successful. Creston also helped us understand how we could help her improve her skills and how we could support her as a new player. She thoroughly enjoyed the entire season and it was a pleasure watching her get better and gain confidence with each game.
Wilson
Assistant Coach, Tokyo
Coach Creston's passion for soccer is obvious even before we reach the pitch. From modern training drills to game strategy, he plans out each practice and game to help players evolve their skills and knowledge of the game. He leads via open communication with the players and helps fuel the team chemistry bringing out the best in each player to become a better teammate. All this makes Coach Creston's teams a pleasure to play in and watch in the "jogo bonito".
Ashish
Parent, san francisco
Coach Creswell has had a great impact on our son and what he has since become. He taught our son not just the important skills of the game but also love of the game. It is also with Coach Creswell that our son learned how to be part of a team and started to understand what it means to both win - and lose. Coach Creswell is kind, patient, and focused and has a unique ability to both motivate and be supportive. We feel very fortunate that our son had a chance to learn from him!
Anna
Player (13), Tokyo
Coach Creston is a good coach because he grew up playing soccer so he knows about all the different positions and how to coach each position. Also, since he has a daughter in the same age range as everyone, he knows how to connect with each individual player. This makes playing for him really fun because you get to know the coach and the coach knows you well too.
Denise
Player (35) San Francisco
Parent, Tokyo
Coach Creston builds a belief in players that unites underachieving teams into Champions. I saw this as a player on his adult team and later, when my teenage son's team won their first championship, and just one year later when my teenage daughter's team came within one game of doing the same!
Martina
Parent, Tokyo
I met Coach Creston just before my son entered Middle School at Nishimachi International School (he wasn’t even yet part of the MS school team) during a very hot Tokyo summer amidst the Covid-19 pandemic and state of emergency. I was very impressed that Coach Creston went through all the difficulties to organise a safe and sound soccer practice in Tokyo all by himself. It really showed his compassion for the kids that were desperate to move, with many of their usual sports facilities closed down and unable to go on vacations abroad. Soon after getting to know him a bit more, I did realize that he is a person from a very rare breed, he is not only excellent at what he does as a coach, but he also has the gift to motivate his players on a personal level, beyond soccer skill and has a captivating sense of humor. He cares for each and every one of his players and is able to see who they really are as people. He can truly make a difference in their personal growth. I am grateful to have been able to watch this from the sideline. Thank you Coach Creston.
Kari
PLAYER (50), OAKLAND
As a member of the Velvet Fog Football Club, which Creston formed in 2000, I am forever grateful for the team-building and leadership skills he brought to our team. I was a complete newcomer to the sport and admired (and took comfort in) the atmosphere and trust he established in our group of strangers who had very broad experience and ability. He not only provided me with tangible football skills to improve my playing ability, but he fostered an environment that nurtured my confidence in, and ultimately my love for, the sport. I still play today! He skillfully managed the delicate balance between empowering individuals, communicating difficult decisions and leading the group as a whole. Above all, Creston knows how to tap into the strengths of each player and gives them the chance to shine on, and off, the pitch.
Sena
PLayer (14), Tokyo
Coach Creston is the best coach I’ve ever met in my life! Coach knew my strengths and my weak points. In matches, based on my play skills, he taught me how to move around the field efficiently.
Rob
PLAYER (49), salt lake city
Creston is truly a unique person who elevates the quality of life in any situation. He is an extremely sincere person who displays genuine interest in everyone he encounters. His enthusiasm and determination to succeed is infectious.
There is no greater evidence of his strengths and qualities than on the football field. As a team-mate, Creston displayed a tremendous capability as a natural leader on and off the field, which undoubtedly facilitated his seamless transition from player to coach.
One of his greatest strengths is his ability to balance leadership and friendship of both peers and students, while continuing to maintain their respect and camaraderie. Another exceptional skill he possesses is an ability to bring people together professionally and socially, to develop meaningful relationships with all populations and ages.
Through Creston’s enthusiasm, determination, and sincerity he has created evolving life-long relationships between team-mates, co-workers and peers at which he is always the common bond.
Maya
PLayer (14), Tokyo
A positive, funny, enthusiastic, and encouraging coach.