San Diego Surf SC Coach Mario Mrakovic’s Winning Ways
Winning a soccer game is fun – especially when you are just beginning your life as a young soccer player, but winning is not what is important – a proper foundation and training are what really matter. It is just fabulous when the two happen together as with San Diego SC Surf’s young teams coached by Mario Mrakovic.
Mario Mrakovic is an exceptional youth soccer coach who has an outstanding track record for inspiring and training the youngest of players to reach the highest skill levels. Mrakovic is the Jr. Academy U6-U8 Coaching Director for San Diego Surf SC as well as the Jr. Academy Recreation Director and is well known for his passionate coaching style. Mrakovic is steadfast in his belief that proper training for the youngest of players is crucial for long-term success.
Always focused on player development, Mrakovic wants his players to enjoy soccer practice. “I want to entice my young players to do their best and fill them with the passion and love for the sport,” said Mrakovic.
Not a coach who focuses on a must-win approach, Mrakovic’s training sessions are targeted towards individual technical and age appropriate tactical improvement. “In my team trainings, the focus is always on individual’s technical abilities and understanding the game.”
It is because of this player-centered approach that Mrakovic has successfully trained teams to win. And win is exactly what his three teams (Surf BU7, BU8 and GU7) did this past season.
“This is the first time that I coached three teams and did not have a single loss since our training started in March,” said Mrakovic. “We played approximately 80 games and won all of them except for one tie. What makes this impressive is not the winning, but the style of play in which the games were won and the quality of our play.”
This is a story worth telling since Mrakovic never emphasizes winning-at-all-costs.
Mrakovic creates a diverse playing environment for his young teams who competed in SCDSL, City Heights League as well as tournaments including beach soccer, small-sided games, 8v8 and all-stars recreational tournaments. While it may sound like a lot of soccer, the kids loved every minute of this positive soccer experience. Youth soccer players are well prepared for their future on the field after training with Mrakovic.
“This year also marks our second season offering Surf SC U6 Academies. Last year’s U6 academy was a true success and I look forward to next season,” said Mrakovic.
Mrakovic is very excited about the upcoming Surf SC Junior Academy U6-U8 Youth Tryouts starting on January 5th. “Last year, we had a good turnout at tryouts. It is very exciting to see this much talent come to our program,” said Mrakovic. “Our Jr. Academy Program is tailored for players that want to excel at an early age by learning the proper execution of soccer techniques.”
Who should come to tryouts? According to Mrakovic, “I would like everyone who is interested to feel super welcome and want them to attend our Surf SC tryouts. We are looking to attract players from all across the county. I love diversity. I am a very passionate coach and always strive to instill that passion in the kids that I coach.”
“I love self-motivated and hard working players,” Mrakovic added. “I enjoy coaching kids who play with a lot of pride and self inspiration. I can only ask a young player one question: ‘Why are you not doing your very best?’ Everything else will happen for them in our training environment.”
“What I believe that sets us apart from other soccer programs is the ability to teach the details, the little nuances that contribute to producing technical players of the highest caliber,” said Mrakovic. “I am looking forward to meeting many new soccer families, and looking forward to maybe our best Surf Jr. Academy season yet.”
Mario Mrakovic will be coaching the following teams:
- Surf Jr. Academy Program Boys U6
- Surf Jr. Academy Team Boys U7
- Surf Jr. Academy Team Boys U8
- Surf Jr. Academy Team Girls U7
- Surf Jr. Academy Team Girls U8
U6 – U8 TRYOUTS Boys and girls U6 to U8 starts January 5th! To register for tryouts, please click here.
