If there’s a family in the western communities that deserves the label of the “First Family of Soccer,” it’s the Oldham family from Wellington. The head of the household is Englishman Gavin Oldham, who is the head coach of the men’s soccer team at Keiser University in West Palm Beach.
Gavin played collegiate soccer at Lindsey Wilson College in Kentucky, where he was on two NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) national championship teams in 2000 and 2001. As a coach, he has been a member of three NAIA national championship squads — as an assistant coach at Lindsey Wilson in 2005 and 2009, and as the head coach at Keiser in 2019.
Gavin and his wife Danielle have three children, and all three children enjoy playing soccer. The oldest is their son, Jayce, who just graduated from Seminole Ridge High School. While at Seminole Ridge, Jayce played for the boys varsity soccer team, where he was a co-captain during his junior and senior years.
In addition to playing soccer for the Hawks, he plays travel soccer for the South Florida Football Club. Jayce has been playing soccer for nearly 15 years. He plans to attend Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale this fall and play soccer for the Sharks. Jayce plans to study marine biology. On the field, he is the heart of the defense, playing center back.
The family’s two other soccer-playing children are twin daughters, Ella and Isla. Both girls have been key leaders on the girls soccer team at Wellington Landings Middle School, which won the Palm Beach County Middle School Girls Soccer Championship this past spring and in 2022. Both girls just graduated from Wellington Landings and will transition to Wellington High School in the fall, where they plan to continue playing soccer.
Outside of school soccer, Ella and Isla have played for the Wellington Wave soccer club in recent years, though they are planning to transition to the Palm Beach Predators, based in Palm Beach Gardens.
As a longtime player and coach, Gavin loves that his children share his passion for soccer, though he is always trying to balance being a father with being a coach.
According to Gavin, his son was a high school co-captain because of his leadership skills.
“His leadership is more of a ‘do as I do’ style rather than as I say,” Gavin said. “He is vocal, but not to the point where it’s overbearing during the game. He’s more of a ‘get the job done on the field’ type of leader. He has a calm, reassuring style of play.”
On the field, Ella plays on the wing and is comfortable as either the left or right wing, while Isla is a center forward. According to their father, both girls work together on the field. Ella provides the crosses, and Isla redirects the ball into the goal.
“Ella is comfortable kicking with either foot, and Isla displays great leadership on the field,” Gavin added.
As for mom Danielle, she is the biggest fan and supporter for Gavin, Jayce, Ella and Isla.
“She has no choice but to enjoy soccer, and she keeps us organized so I can coach, and the kids can play,” Gavin said.
As for the family’s favorite soccer team to watch in England’s Premier League, the family sticks together and roots for the same club their father cheers for, which is Manchester United.
