Amanda Sheldon

Coach Amanda Sheldon’s soccer journey began at the YMCA in 1996, but it wasn’t until a
special recreational team during middle school that she truly fell in love with the game. What
started as another childhood activity became a lifelong source of strength, community, and
personal growth. While her playing career may not include professional contracts or national
team appearances, soccer has remained a constant throughout her life, repeatedly serving as
the place she returns to challenge herself, connect with others, and rediscover her confidence.
Today, Amanda is an active player throughout the Fort Worth soccer community, competing in
women’s and coed indoor leagues while regularly participating in adult recreational
tournaments. A versatile midfielder, winger, striker, and self-proclaimed “loudest bench
cheerleader,” she currently plays with Villegas FC, Unatletico Madrid, and The Herd. Known for
her energy, sportsmanship, and team-first mentality, Amanda is just as happy creating
opportunities for teammates as she is finding the back of the net herself.
Amanda’s coaching career began when her oldest daughter wanted to play soccer but there
wasn’t a team or coach available for her age group. Faced with a simple choice—either
someone stepped up or the team wouldn’t exist—Amanda volunteered despite having little
coaching experience and plenty of nerves. What began as an act of necessity quickly became a
passion. Drawing on her background in sports psychology from Western Kentucky University
and a growing desire to help young athletes succeed, she committed herself to learning the craft
of coaching.
For more than three years, Amanda served as a Soccer Shots coach throughout Fort Worth and
Aledo, working primarily with players ages 2-5. During that time, she coached hundreds of
young athletes each year and became known for her ability to break complex skills into simple,
achievable steps. Her patient, energetic approach helped children develop confidence both on
and off the field, while often surprising parents and teachers who never imagined children so
young could learn to play organized soccer. Amanda jokingly refers to herself as the “Ms.
Rachel of soccer,” combining enthusiasm, encouragement, and emotional intelligence to create
a positive learning environment for every player she coaches.
Amanda’s involvement in the Fort Worth soccer community expanded when she joined the Fort
Worth Vaqueros organization as Community Engagement Manager. In that role, she managed
community events, game-day operations, pop-up activations, and social media content while
supporting both the men’s and women’s programs throughout the season. Her work with the
club allowed her to develop relationships throughout the local soccer landscape while combining
her love of the game with her professional background in graphic design, photography,
videography, and digital storytelling.
Joining Wrexham Texans Academy was a natural next step. Amanda’s experience working
alongside Coach Tony Merola through the Vaqueros organization gave her a firsthand look at
the culture, standards, and player-first philosophy he brings to every environment. Inspired by
his commitment to player development and long-term growth, Amanda eagerly embraced the
opportunity to continue developing as a coach while helping build the future of the Wrexham
Texans Academy.

Amanda approaches coaching the same way she approaches soccer itself: with equal parts
passion, curiosity, and fun. She firmly believes that players learn best when they feel safe
enough to make mistakes, brave enough to try new things, and excited enough to keep coming
back. Whether she’s celebrating a player’s first successful pass, helping a nervous athlete find
confidence, or finding creative ways to make training memorable, Amanda brings an
enthusiasm for the game that is impossible to fake. Around the local soccer community she has
earned a reputation for being the person who can strike up a conversation with anyone, turn
strangers into teammates, and find joy in every corner of the game. While she takes player
development seriously, she never forgets that soccer is supposed to be fun—a philosophy that
has occasionally led to questionable adventures, ambitious schemes, and more than a few
stories that are probably best saved for after training.
Amanda believes every player deserves to feel seen, valued, and encouraged. Her goal is for
every athlete she coaches to leave the field knowing they matter, that effort is worth celebrating,
and that mistakes are simply opportunities to learn. Above all, she hopes her players remember
that soccer should be challenging, rewarding, and fun—and that the lessons learned through
the game can last a lifetime.
When she isn’t coaching or playing soccer, Amanda works as a graphic artist in Fort Worth and
spends her time with her two daughters and her Golden Retriever, Ziva Diva. She also enjoys
swimming, rock climbing, photography, videography, playing the ukulele, karaoke, and cheering
on the soccer community she proudly calls home.