Rufino Reyes is entering his second year as a coach with Yardley Makefield Soccer (YMS), where he brings a calm, positive presence and a developmental mindset to the field. A Philadelphia native and graduate of New Foundations Charter High School, Rufino continued his academic journey at LaSalle University. While he did not play collegiate soccer, his love for the game remained strong and has deeply influenced his coaching path.

As a player, one of Rufino’s most memorable moments was winning a championship in high school, a milestone that helped shape his competitive spirit and love for the game. More recently, in 2025, he led his YMS team to a championship at the Epic Tournament, a proud coaching moment that reflected the commitment and progress of his players.

He believes strongly in building player confidence through repetition and understanding. “My philosophy to developing young players is learning through repetition,” he explains. “The more reps, the more confidence they gain. Once a player is confident, their game changes.”

Character development plays a central role in Rufino’s approach. He encourages players to hold themselves accountable, remain humble, and treat everyone with kindness and respect. When it comes to challenges, he advises his players to focus on the process: “Some advice I give to players is to focus on the process, not the result. Things take time, and if they really want something they have to put in the effort and be consistent with it.”

Rufino is motivated by the impact he can have on young athletes both on and off the field. He strives to be a positive influence, helping kids develop not only soccer skills, but also life lessons that stick with them. “My motivation as a coach is having an impact,” he says. “Just being a role model for the players and showing them the right way to do things is what keeps me going.”

Outside of coaching, Rufino works with special needs students, helping them develop life and job skills—a role that echoes his purpose-driven approach to soccer. He also enjoys watching movies and is a dedicated fan of Manchester United.