PDL and W-League Piranhas Coaches get help at the Helm

Virginia Beach, Virginia – The Virginia Beach Piranhas are pleased to announce the hiring of two new assistant coaches for the 2011 season. Chris Cullop will assist Wendy Waddell for the W-League Piranhas and Rafael Mendivil will help Cesar Rizzo, coach of the PDL-Piranhas.


Chris Cullop

Cullop brings in a lot of experience as he coached youth soccer for twelve years. Currently he is the head coach of Deep Creek High School’s boy’s varsity team.

“We have a lot of talent, now we have to make them gel,” said Cullop about his short term goals as Waddell’s right-hand man. Gelling on the coaching level however will not be a problem: “Wendy and I like the same style of play and have the same goal - making the playoffs.”

Cullop resides in Chesapeake with his wife and his three sons, and is employed at Naval Special Warfare Group Four as Deputy Information Systems Officer.



Rafael Mendivil

As the PDL-Piranhas assistant coach Martin Burwell retired due to personal reasons, and Coach Rizzo had his replacement at the ready. Rafael Mendivil will take over Burwell’s job immediately.

“I want to improve and provide my knowledge as a soccer coach and support Coach Rizzo where I can,” said Mendivil, a native of Lima, Peru. Currently he coaches the boys and girls varsity teams of Peninsula Catholic High School as head- and assistant coach respectively, and is working on his certification to be a sports nutritionist and personal trainer.

Both the men’s and women’s teams are in action this weekend at the Sportsplex for a doubleheader with Fredericksburg. The W-League Piranhas will kick off at 5.30 p.m., hosting the Impact. The PDL team will follow up at 8 p.m. against Hotspur. Tickets are $8 and include both games; gates open at 4.30 p.m.

For more information on the 2011 Virginia Beach Piranhas, including tickets, sponsorships, internships or to volunteer, please visit http://www.vbpiranhas.com/  or call 757-572-1592.