Preparing Young Female Youth Soccer Players For The Future Of The Women’s Game
Southern California’s Youth Soccer Club San Diego Surf Soccer Unveils 3-Year Girls Transformation Plan – Taps Andrés Deza to Lead the Effort. Nationally recognized youth soccer club realizes the need to evolve.
The USA is the undisputed leader in women’s soccer. The crowned champions of FIFA’s Women’s World Cup, our U.S. Women’s National Team has lifted the coveted trophy four times. No other country comes close to our success, and while the USA is not resting on the joys of its past victories, our recent investment in the women’s game pales in comparison to what other countries are doing to catch up.
“The women’s game is changing fast,” said Brian Enge, CEO of Surf Soccer. “In five years, there will be more opportunities for women, but the competition for these opportunities will be greater and so will the requirements for success. Our country can get passed by if we are not careful.”
While the US has remained dominate in the women’s game, other countries have committed more funds to the women’s game in the last five years.
“At Surf, we want to create a program that is significantly more technical,” said Enge. “We are thinking globally and nationally, not just locally.”
“Let’s not have the competitive boundaries that exist in youth soccer hold these players back.”
Brian Enge, CEO Surf Soccer
This is why Surf has asked Andrés Deza to lead this effort as the new Girls Technical Director. “Andres has a proven track record working with players,” said Enge who credit Deza with creating a training that works — and that can go beyond what most girls experience today. “We wanted someone who shared our same vision. We need to look forward.”
Surf has an internationally respected reputation for player development with several former players who have become professional soccer players — and even those who have played at the highest level on youth national teams as well as the U.S. Women’s National squad. Surf SC’s Girls Program is also ranked 4th in the country by SoccerWire.
What we are doing today isn’t good enough for the future. It’s been great for the past.
Brian Enge, CEO Surf Soccer
For a youth soccer club with an acclaimed record to realize that the women’s game is changing and that player develpoment must align itself to continue to produce talented players is more than refreshing. Surf realizes the need to evolve to develop players who will have the skills to successfully chase their dreams at every level across the globe.
It is really about club responsibility. “If we are going to do the right thing by girls in the county, others have to step up as well,” said Enge.
“The global women’s game is changing rapidly, and countries around the world are doubling their investments in development. It’s our responsibility to transform our program to service the professional aspirations of our young players,” said Josh Henderson DOC of Surf Soccer Club. “Deza is the right leader for this 3 Year Plan, and we’re excited to have him as part of the Surf Team.”
Surf announced this week that they are committing to a 3-year plan and an increased investment to create the premier youth development environment for girls in the US. For many years the Surf Curriculum has been focused on preparing girls for the US National Team and top college soccer.
Deza is uniquely positioned for Surf’s role with experience coaching at the U17 US National Team level, winning 2 National Championships (DA and ECNL), and producing 28+ National Team and YNT players. Deza is known across the soccer community to teach the most advanced details of the game and create unmatched development environments.
While Deza’s primary focus will be on Surf’s Girls ECNL program, Surf will be implementing his training methodology across the entire girls’ program, U8 to U19.
“The main motivation for me joining Surf is to contribute to the history of this relevant youth soccer club with the shaping of a an unparalleled training environment in San Diego, that helps transform girl’s soccer in the US and lives up to its brand, its facilities, and its players,” said Deza. “Certainly, the weather and the beaches did not hurt in this decision.”
“I want to thank Josh Henderson and the entire Board of Directors at Surf Sports for the confidence they have deposited in me,” added Deza.
Surf embarked on a similar process with their Boys program in the past 5 years and is now the #1 ranked non-MLS youth program in the US and a breeding ground for young professional players.
For over 44 years, Surf has been one of the founding organizations in youth soccer. With over $7 Million in charitable donations, 16 national championships, and countless professional, collegiate, and youth national team players, the youth soccer club’s motto is forever striving to be the “Best of the Best.”
