Building a Legacy: How the Soccer Program Connects Garden City High School to Community and Tradition
Frederik Hvillum
With a clear strategy and strong ambition, Paul Cutter works daily to develop Garden City High School’s soccer program, focusing on enhancing players’ skills while supporting their personal growth.
As both a coach and a teacher, the British-born Cutter is dedicated to creating an environment where the technical aspects of soccer are balanced with strong values and a deep connection to the local community. "In high school, I think it's much more about a sense of community. It's a sense of tradition," he says, emphasizing the strong ties between the school and the town. "A lot of the kids I coach—their parents played here, and they've grown up in the town." For him, high school sports in the U.S. are unique—a community where students' efforts on the field become part of the school's history and local traditions.
The coach has been part of Garden City High School for nearly two decades. Moving to the U.S. to pursue his passion for soccer and teaching, he has witnessed significant changes in high school soccer over the years. "In the past, we had to focus a lot on basic technical skills. But today, kids are much further along technically and tactically when they come to high school," he notes. This shift has allowed for more advanced training, opening opportunities to emphasize strategies like pressing and ball possession.
The Integration of Technology in Training
A key part of his coaching approach is using technology to enhance and develop training. Video analysis enables both him and the players to dive into details they might otherwise overlook. "It gives us the chance to review the game on Monday and analyze specific points on Tuesday, even though the high school season moves fast," he explains. "College coaches might only have one or two games a week and a larger coaching staff, so they can focus on the finished product. We, on the other hand, work more directly and practically with players from the ground up."
This approach has allowed him to work individually with players despite the demands of a busy high school season. He can quickly show a player how to open up the game or improve positioning, and technology allows him to follow up with players shortly after a game. "There's such a difference between telling them and showing them," he says. "If we can show them certain patterns… look, you're not there. Next time, I want you five steps back, three steps wider."
Community and Tradition in High School Sports
For Cutter, high school soccer holds a special place because it is deeply rooted in community and tradition. "It's all about the kids who have grown up with the goal of trying to win a county championship," he explains. "And the seniors—it’s their last year altogether with kids they've known since they were three or four years old. I think it means a lot more to them." This community aspect sets high school soccer apart from club soccer, where the focus is more on individual development. "The standard can definitely be argued. Club-wise, the standard is probably a little higher. But in terms of what it means to the kids, I think high school certainly has a place for both."
This deep sense of connection to the school and community makes high school soccer uniquely meaningful to the players. "For the vast majority, this is their last run at organized sport. It just means a lot to them," he notes. Playing for the school’s team is not just about winning; it’s about creating lifelong memories and being part of a shared history.
Ambitions for the Future and the Value of Good Role Models
For Cutter, training Garden City’s youth is not just about creating winning teams. He views his role as shaping young people and instilling values they can apply in all areas of life. He highlights the importance of feedback and video analysis, especially in helping players understand their performance more clearly. "There's more impact because there’s no argument. This is what's happening; this is not my opinion," he says, referring to the clarity video analysis provides.
The Garden City coach’s ambition is to continue developing the soccer program, creating a platform where players can grow both athletically and personally. He sees great potential in high school soccer in the U.S. "For us as a soccer program, we go into every season trying to win the county final," he says, underlining both the competitive goals and the broader mission of fostering student growth.
During his time at Garden City High School, Cutter has witnessed a growing passion for soccer among students, who now bring a greater enthusiasm and knowledge of the game. "There used to be maybe three or four kids in the high school I could talk soccer with," he reflects. "Now, they all have a favorite team, a favorite player—they’re into it." He attributes this rise in interest partly to greater exposure to the sport, whether through playing FIFA video games or watching Premier League matches.
Through his use of technology, focus on community, and commitment to building strong values, Cutter’s dedication to Garden City High School’s soccer program goes far beyond the scoreboard. He strives to create better players and better people, finding a balance between the game and life—and ultimately giving students an experience and foundation they can carry with them for the rest of their lives.
