Are You Ready For Spring Soccer Season?
Recreational soccer is a great beginning for youth soccer players who are just starting to discover the wonderful world of soccer. For young players at the earliest levels as well as those who want to play multiple sports, recreational soccer is a perfect choice. Youth soccer is one of the most popular team sports in the world and is an effective form of exercise for many children according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Playing soccer, kids benefit from learning great life-lessons as they to enjoy fabulous cardiovascular exercise. There are many options for recreational soccer in America and here is a recommendation for a great choice in the San Diego area.
The San Diego Surf Jr. Academy Recreational League program is based on the Surf Soccer training curriculum, and will focus on small-sided games. For beginner and younger players, the curriculum teaches early motoric skills, technical sophistication on the ball and early development of soccer awareness. It instills the love and passion for the sport through the methods of guided discovery. It gives kids at a very early age an opportunity to learn the technique, soccer coordination and movement the precise and correct way. Surf Jr. Academy Director Mario Mrakovic is a National Youth ”A” Licensed coach and is widely regarded as the TOP developer of youth soccer talent in the country.
Spring League Program
Program includes training sessions with Coaches Mario Mrakovic, Tory Henry and other professional Surf Coaches at all practices and games. Practices and games will take place at San Diego Polo Fields. Open to boys and girls ages 4 – 10.
$395 per player includes:
– (2) sets of Surf Jr. Academy Recreation Jerseys
– (10) Thursday Training Practices: 3:45pm – 5:00pm
March 12th, 19th. April 2nd, 23rd, 30th. May 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th. June 4th
– (7) Saturday Games: 9am, 10am, 11am or noon game
March 21st. April 25th. May 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd. June 6th.
The program is led by a well known developer of young soccer talent in southern California, Mario Mrakovic. Growing up in Croatia, (near Italy) he began playing soccer at an early age, guided and encouraged by his father, who was also a coach. He played with FC Zagreb, Dinamo Zagreb, Tekstilac and the San Diego Sockers before becoming a full-time coach. Well known in Southern California as a highly spirited, fun loving yet technically demanding coach, Mrakovic combines his lifelong love of soccer with a desire to help young players to gain technical knowledge and the skills that they need to become successful.
SoccerToday had the chance to interview Mrakovic to get more on his coaching style and why his program is the best club around:
Diane Scavuzzo: What inspires you to coach?
Mario Mrakovic: My parents were divorced since I was six. The only time I really spent with my dad was when he would pick me up and take to his soccer games. He was playing and coaching at the time. Those rare moments with my dad made me fall in love with the sport. Soccer ball was always my favorite toy in the house. My dad was and is my biggest inspiration to coach. Over the years I have developed undivided love and passion for soccer. I don’t just love the sport, I am obsessed with it.
Diane Scavuzzo: Why do you consider yourself a good coach?
Mario Mrakovic: My passion and relentless energy. My work ethic – I don’t take breaks, I don’t phone, or text, I go non-stop. Also, I was the first one to hear myself use the words such as technique and technical sophistication and execution when it comes to coaching. I don’t consider myself as a good coach, but rather a good soccer teacher, where every training session or a game is a teaching podium. I think what also makes me good is that I truly care about the kids while I coach them and long years after.
I beyond enjoy what I do. I have too much fun. I admit. I just love working with kids. It is me.
Diane Scavuzzo: What is important for players to learn at this age?
Mario Mrakovic: Learning is a great word. And that is my greatest answer – to learn proper, correct, exact, right way of movement with and without the ball. We teach the soft touch and TECHNICAL SOPHISTICATION in a player. We develop their proper motoric skills and coordination. We make them much more aware of the game and make them smarter. I want us to produce intelligent, self confident, strong and fast, technical players with instilled love and passion for soccer that nobody will ever be able to take away from them, ever. We also teach the kids respect, team concept, discipline and responsibilities.
Diane Scavuzzo: Why come to San Diego Surf Soccer?
Mario Mrakovic: Because as one dad pronounced:” It is the best youth program on planet!”
The sooner the kids come to train with us – the better. We have posted many videos from our Recreation League, from U6, U7 and U8 academies. Those videos are real, they are not fabricated. On those videos it can be seen what 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7-year olds are able to do after training with us. I can use as many phrases as I choose, but the videos would still top it, easily. Surf Soccer Club is the best Club around, and each day getting better and stronger. We have the best training and soccer atmosphere in San Diego at Polo fields. Everyone loves Polo fields!
RELATED ARTICLE: Mario Mrakovic Interview
