Surf Nation Football Focus Podcast

Brazilian legend Sissi joins us for a special episode of the Surf Nation Podcast.
A three-time World Cup and two-time Olympic Games representative, Sissi was one of the great creative players of her generation — winning the Golden Boot at the 1999 Women’s World Cup with seven goals as Brazil finished third.
Today, she is bringing that experience to the next generation at Walnut Creek Surf.
In this episode, we go Beyond the Touchline and mic Sissi up on game day before sitting down with her to discuss her coaching philosophy. She shares why coaches are responsible for the environment they create, the importance of allowing young players to make mistakes, and why freedom, creativity and problem-solving remain at the heart of her Brazilian approach to player development.
A fascinating insight for coaches and parents into how one of Brazil’s great players now approaches the development of young players.
 
Watch Sissi's Beyond the Touchline video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrtACtbMY0g
 

Can You Measure Youth Development Success? with Andy Prosser
How do we really measure success in youth soccer?
In this episode of Surf Nation Football Focus, Gary Curneen sits down with Surf Nation Director Andy Prosser to reflect on another year across the Surf network and explore what the numbers can — and cannot — tell us about player development.
From national championships and postseason success to college commitments, national team recognition and players progressing into professional environments, Andy discusses the different ways Surf measures progress across a national network. The conversation also looks beyond wins and trophies to examine the importance of creating opportunities, developing coaches, building strong clubs and providing pathways for players at every level.
Can winning and development coexist? Which numbers really matter? And ultimately, what should success look like for a youth soccer organization?
A fascinating conversation about performance, pathways and the challenge of measuring what truly matters in youth development.

What separates great youth soccer clubs from everyone else?
In this episode of Football Focus, Surf Nation Director Andy Prosser takes you behind the scenes of an incredible summer for Surf Soccer. From the Nike TOMA event in New York and Surf Select's victory over São Paulo Academy to multiple National Championship successes, Andy shares what it really takes to build winning teams and unforgettable player experiences.
The conversation also explores one of the biggest topics in youth soccer: the player pathway. Andy offers practical advice for parents navigating club soccer, explains why environment matters more than chasing the next opportunity, and discusses how clubs can balance development with the desire to compete and win.
Whether you're a coach, parent, club leader, or player, this episode is packed with insights into building better environments and helping young players reach their full potential.

⚽️ 🎙️ Summer is here... but does your player need more training, more games, or more rest?
In this episode of Surf Nation Football Focus, we sit down with Rick Hadwick (Dallas Surf) to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing soccer families during the off-season. From managing burnout and recovery to choosing the right summer opportunities, Rick shares practical advice for parents looking to support their child's long-term development.
Topics Covered:
🔹 Recognizing the signs of player burnout🔹 How much soccer is too much during the summer?🔹 The importance of recovery and unstructured play🔹 Balancing camps, private training, and family time🔹 Creating a positive environment for player growth🔹 Long-term development vs short-term success🔹 Advice for Surf Nation families heading into the new season
Whether your child is playing recreational soccer, competing in elite pathways, or simply trying to improve, this conversation provides valuable insight into making the most of the summer months.

The college soccer recruiting landscape is changing rapidly—and one topic that isn't being discussed nearly enough is the rise of the gap year.
Listen to Surf Nation College Panels below:
Men's Soccer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvNFtaqe4ck
Women's Soccer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSclVIEUwfs
In this episode of Surf Nation Football Focus, Gary Curneen breaks down insights from a recent Surf Nation Men's College Coaches Panel, including a fascinating perspective from Florida Atlantic University Head Coach Tom Harmon on why some Division I programs are encouraging players to delay college entry for a year.
We explore:
⚽ Why gap years are becoming more common in men's college soccer
⚽ How the transfer portal is changing roster construction
⚽ The advantages of playing U23, USL, or other development environments before college
⚽ Why maturity, work experience, and physical development matter more than ever
⚽ What parents and players need to understand about today's recruiting reality
For many families, a gap year can feel like a setback. Increasingly, college coaches are viewing it as a strategic step in a player's long-term development.
Information is power in today's recruiting environment, and understanding these trends can help players and families make better decisions.
🎙️ Be sure to check out the full Surf Nation College Coaches Panel discussions for more insights from Division I coaches on recruiting, player development, communication, and navigating the modern college soccer landscape.

In this episode of Surf Football Focus, Director of Football, Gary Curneen, discusses one of the most important topics of the youth soccer season: helping parents navigate playoffs and post-season play.
As travel increases, emotions rise, and games become more meaningful, families are often trying to balance recovery, expectations, playing time, pressure, and emotional support for their players.
Using key clips from a recent conversation with Match Fit Surf General Manager Jordan Raper, this episode explores:
Managing expectations during playoff soccer
Understanding playing time in high-pressure environments
Helping players recover physically and emotionally
The impact of downtime, travel, and tournament environments
Why “business trip” mentality matters during post-season play
Supporting players without increasing pressure
An important conversation for every parent, coach, and family heading into playoff season.

Parents: Register for FREE Surf Nation Recovery webinar on May 14 below:
https://event.webinarjam.com/vm2mo/register/94x4ps6m
This episode of the Surf Nation Podcast dives into one of the most stressful and misunderstood parts of youth soccer — the tryout process.
From the moment you register to the final decision, tryouts reveal more than just player ability. They reflect the club, the environment, and the people your child will be surrounded by.
In this conversation, we break down what parents should realistically expect, how to support players emotionally, and how to make better decisions when choosing the right club.
This isn’t about chasing badges or status. It’s about finding the right environment for long-term development.
Inside the episode:
– What tryouts actually tell you about a club– How much playing time and exposure your child should expect – Supporting your child emotionally during pressure moments– Why hearing “no” is part of the journey– The biggest mistake parents make when choosing a club– Understanding the real cost of youth soccer– Why the coach matters more than anything else
If you’re a parent navigating tryouts for the first time — or even the fifth — this will give you a clearer, more realistic perspective on the process.
Make sure to subscribe for more conversations supporting coaches, players, and parents across the game.

How should clubs and coaches really manage tryouts?
In this Surf Nation Podcast discussion, Gary Curneen (Director of Football) is joined by Brennan Williams (Club Development Manager) and Ashley Nesbit (Club Manager) to break down one of the most important—and often misunderstood—parts of the youth soccer calendar.
This episode goes beyond selection lists and drills. The conversation focuses on how clubs design the tryout environment, what coaches are actually evaluating in players, and how decisions are made under pressure. The group also explores common mistakes, the over-reliance on certain types of exercises, and how to create a process that reflects long-term player development rather than short-term outcomes.
You’ll also hear practical insights on communication with players and parents, maintaining consistency across clubs, and how to ensure tryouts align with your overall philosophy and standards.
If you’re a coach, director, or club leader, this episode will challenge how you think about tryouts—and give you a clearer framework for building a better, more professional process.

Access Gavin's full presentation here: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb0gdPNYeU8
Most players aren’t tired… they’re under-fueled.
In this episode of the Surf Nation Football Focus Podcast, Director of Football Gary Curneen break down one of the biggest hidden factors impacting player performance—nutrition.
Following a powerful webinar with Gavin Mole (Dallas Surf Director of Coaching and registered sports nutritionist), this episode focuses on what parents actually need to understand:
It’s not just about whether your child is eating… it’s whether they’re fueling for the demands of training and games.
We explore:
Why players can eat enough and still struggle to perform
The difference between being underfed and under-fueled
Why energy drops, poor recovery, and inconsistency often come back to nutrition
Simple ways parents can support their child without overcomplicating it
If your child is training multiple times a week and competing on weekends, this is a conversation that can make an immediate impact.

This week on the Surf Nation Football Focus Podcast, we sit down with Mario Mrakovic, Surf Junior Youth Academy Director at San Diego Surf, to explore one of the most important topics in modern player development: individual training.
With more players turning to private coaching, extra sessions, and at-home practice, the challenge is no longer access — it’s direction. In this conversation, Mario shares his philosophy built over 20+ years of working with players, and why true development starts with movement, coordination, and attention to detail before anything else.
We break down the difference between technique and skill, why “just practicing more” isn’t enough, and how players can take real ownership of their development outside of team training. Mario also shares insights into his training card system and upcoming app designed to give players a clear, structured pathway to improvement.
This is a must-listen for players, parents, and coaches looking to better understand how to develop technical ability in today’s game.
If you’re enjoying the Surf Nation Football Focus Podcast, please subscribe, share with your network, and reach out with topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes.
Contact: gcurneen@surfsoccer.com