Melissa Schwartz, Author at Dallas Surf Soccer Club https://dallassurf.com/author/mschwartz/ Dallas' Premier Soccer Club Thu, 06 Aug 2026 21:38:07 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.4 https://dallassurf.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/cropped-fav_568-32x32.png Melissa Schwartz, Author at Dallas Surf Soccer Club https://dallassurf.com/author/mschwartz/ 32 32 243925638 MLS Next Academy Division – A New Era for Dallas Surf Soccer Club https://dallassurf.com/ga-summer-playoffs/ Thu, 06 Aug 2026 21:37:38 +0000 https://dallassurf.com/?p=1755 The post MLS Next Academy Division – A New Era for Dallas Surf Soccer Club appeared first on Dallas Surf Soccer Club.

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Girls Academy Season Recap

A Strong Finish to Our Inaugural Season

Dallas Surf’s 2009 and 2010 Girls Academy teams closed our first GA season with undefeated performances at the Summer Playoffs and Showcase in Norco, California.

Dallas Surf 2009 Girls Academy players competing at the GA Summer Playoffs and Showcase
Dallas Surf 2009 Girls Academy players competing in Norco, California.
Summer Playoffs and Showcase

Undefeated in Norco

Our 2009 and 2010 Girls Academy teams wrapped up Dallas Surf’s inaugural season in the Girls Academy League with an outstanding performance at the GA Summer Playoffs and Showcase in Norco, California.

Both teams finished the event undefeated and earned the top spot in their respective groups. The performances reflected the progress, commitment, and growth shown by both groups throughout our first Girls Academy season.

The event also gave our players another opportunity to compete on a national stage, test themselves against strong opposition, and showcase how far they have come since the beginning of our GA journey.

Two teams. Two undefeated group finishes. One proud end to our inaugural Girls Academy season.

Dallas Surf 2010 Girls Academy team at the GA Summer Playoffs and Showcase
The Dallas Surf 2010 Girls Academy team in Norco.
Growth Across the Season

Progress We Could See

The results in California were an important achievement, but they also represented something larger. Both teams demonstrated the progress they had made across the season as individuals and as groups.

Players showed greater confidence, stronger relationships, and a clearer understanding of how they wanted to compete. That growth was the result of the work invested by players, coaches, and families throughout the year.

College Exposure

Valuable Opportunities Beyond the Field

The recruiting opportunities at the showcase were equally impressive. More than 85 college programs attended our games, providing valuable exposure for our athletes as they continue through the recruiting process.

NCAA Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA, and Junior College programs from across the country were represented on the sidelines. For our players, this created opportunities to be seen, learn more about the college game, and better understand the different pathways available to them.

85+

College programs attended games during the GA Summer Playoffs and Showcase.

College advisory panel speaking with Girls Academy players at the GA Showcase
Players taking part in a college advisory discussion during the showcase.
College coaches panel at the Girls Academy Showcase
College coaches sharing insight and guidance with athletes at the GA Showcase.
Looking Ahead

Building Toward Year Two

As we close the chapter on our first year in the Girls Academy, we could not be prouder of what our players, coaches, and families have accomplished together.

While we celebrate the progress we have made, our focus remains firmly on continued growth, development, and raising the standard as we move into Year Two.

The foundation has been established. The next challenge is to build upon it, continue improving the daily environment, and create even more opportunities for our players.

The future of Dallas Surf Girls Academy is bright, and we are excited for what comes next.

The post MLS Next Academy Division – A New Era for Dallas Surf Soccer Club appeared first on Dallas Surf Soccer Club.

]]> 1755 MLS Next Academy Division – A New Era for Dallas Surf Soccer Club https://dallassurf.com/mls-kickoff/ Thu, 06 Aug 2026 21:28:05 +0000 https://dallassurf.com/?p=1751 The post MLS Next Academy Division – A New Era for Dallas Surf Soccer Club appeared first on Dallas Surf Soccer Club.

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MLS NEXT Season Preview

A New Era for Dallas Surf

This September, Dallas Surf begins its first-ever season in MLS NEXT and takes an important step forward in the club’s continued growth.

Dallas Surf MLS NEXT players and staff during preseason camp at the University of Central Oklahoma
Dallas Surf MLS NEXT preseason camp at the University of Central Oklahoma.
A Historic Milestone

Our First Season in MLS NEXT

This September marks a historic milestone for Dallas Surf as we begin our first-ever season in MLS NEXT, the highest level of youth soccer in the United States.

Earning the opportunity to compete in this league is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our players, coaches, families, and staff. It reflects years of commitment to creating a stronger player development environment and continually raising standards across the club.

This is more than the start of a new season. It is the beginning of a new chapter for Dallas Surf.

Preparing for the Challenge

Building the Foundations in Preseason

Fitness, football, relationships, and standards.

Throughout preseason, our MLS NEXT teams have been preparing for the demands of the season ahead by building fitness, refining our style of play, and establishing the standards that will define us both on and off the field.

An important part of that preparation was our MLS NEXT preseason camp at the University of Central Oklahoma. The camp gave players and staff dedicated time together to train, compete, build relationships, and strengthen the shared understanding that will be essential throughout the season.

Away from the normal weekly schedule, the camp created space for players to focus fully on their development while experiencing the expectations and demands of a high-performance environment.

Prepare Physically

Build the fitness and resilience required to meet the demands of the season.

Refine Our Football

Develop a clearer understanding of how Dallas Surf wants to play.

Raise the Standard

Establish the habits and behaviors expected on and off the field.

The Season Ahead

Ready to Represent Dallas Surf

We are incredibly excited to embark on this new chapter, compete against some of the nation’s leading academies, and continue our commitment to developing outstanding players and even better people.

The season will bring new challenges, new experiences, and new opportunities to learn. Our goal is not simply to participate, but to represent Dallas Surf with courage, humility, and a relentless commitment to improvement.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this journey. We look forward to representing Dallas Surf Soccer Club and making our community proud as we begin our inaugural MLS NEXT season.

A new level. A new challenge. The same commitment to developing players and people.

The post MLS Next Academy Division – A New Era for Dallas Surf Soccer Club appeared first on Dallas Surf Soccer Club.

]]> 1751 Coach Spotlight – Sara Alcala https://dallassurf.com/coach-spotlight-saraa/ Thu, 06 Aug 2026 21:14:11 +0000 https://dallassurf.com/?p=1742 The post Coach Spotlight – Sara Alcala appeared first on Dallas Surf Soccer Club.

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Coach Spotlight

Meet Coach Sara

Meet the coaches shaping the Dallas Surf player experience, both on and off the field.

Dallas Surf coach Sara Alcala
Dallas Surf Soccer Club

Sara Alcala

Coach, Dallas Surf Soccer Club

Hi, I’m Coach Sara. I was born in Dallas and grew up in Irving, Texas, where my playing journey began through the Irving Soccer Association. From there, I continued playing with several competitive clubs and developed a lasting connection with the game.

I have now been coaching for around five years. What first began as an opportunity quickly became a passion. I wanted to teach young people more than the fundamentals of soccer. I wanted them to experience how enjoyable the game can truly be.

Her Coaching Story

A Love for the Game That Never Went Away

Sara’s experience in soccer extends far beyond the field. As a player, she suffered several injuries that brought disappointment and heartbreak, but those experiences also played an important role in shaping the person and coach she is today.

Although injuries disrupted her playing journey, they never took away her love for soccer. Instead, she grew through those difficult moments and found another way to remain connected to the game by helping young players build their own relationship with it.

For Sara, coaching is not simply about teaching technique or preparing teams to win. It is about helping young people find confidence, enjoyment, and a genuine sense of belonging.

I don’t only coach to win games. I coach to make sure everyone knows that they belong and that they matter.

Coach Sara Alcala
Her Dallas Surf Journey

Finding a Place to Grow

Sara was drawn to Dallas Surf after hearing positive things about the organization and the environment it was working to create. She wanted to contribute to that culture while also continuing to develop herself as a coach.

She describes the move as being like a bird leaving its familiar nest and spreading its wings. It represented both a new opportunity and a chance to challenge herself in a different coaching environment.

As she begins this next chapter, Sara is excited to meet new players and families, share her coaching culture, and help create an environment in which every player feels valued.

Get to Know Sara

Quick-Fire Questions

A little more about Coach Sara, the experiences that shaped her, and what matters most to her.

Which team do you support?

I am a huge Lionel Messi fan, so I follow and support him wherever he plays. Because of him, I also became a Barcelona supporter and follow both the men’s and women’s teams.

What is your favorite DFW restaurant?

Chips Old Fashioned Hamburgers. I love burgers.

What do you want players to remember?

I want their confidence to shine brightly. I want them to know that who they are away from the field matters most, and I hope they learn to love soccer as much as I do.

Tell us one fun fact about you.

My dog has one eye, and I absolutely love him.

What is your most memorable coaching moment?

One of my most memorable moments was winning a tournament with one of my girls’ teams only weeks after losing my dad. In that moment, I realized that the players and parents had become much more than people I happened to coach. They had become family. My own family also surprised me by attending the final to support me, which made the moment even more meaningful.

More Than a Coach

Confidence, Belonging and a Love for Soccer

Sara wants every player she coaches to understand that their value is not determined by a result or by what happens during one game. Her goal is to help players become more confident, enjoy the sport, and recognize that who they are away from soccer matters most.

She is excited to build relationships with new Dallas Surf families and to create a culture where players are supported, challenged, and reminded that they belong.

I want every player to know that they belong, that they matter, and that their confidence should shine brightly.

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]]> 1742 Supporting the child, developing the player https://dallassurf.com/parent-engagement-start/ Thu, 06 Aug 2026 21:12:03 +0000 https://dallassurf.com/?p=1707 The post Supporting the child, developing the player appeared first on Dallas Surf Soccer Club.

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Dallas Surf Parent Engagement Program

Together We Develop More Than Players

Introducing the Dallas Surf Parent Engagement Program.

Dallas Surf Development Triangle connecting the player, coach and parent around the Dallas Surf values
Stronger Together

Supporting the Whole Player

At Dallas Surf, we are committed to developing confident players, strong teammates, and great people. While our coaches provide a world-class training environment, we know that a player's experience is shaped just as much by the support they receive at home and on the sidelines.

That is why we are introducing the Dallas Surf Parent Engagement Program, an initiative designed to strengthen the partnership between our coaches and families and create the best possible environment for every player to thrive.

A Shared Purpose

Why Parent Engagement?

A player's experience extends beyond training and games.

Youth soccer is about far more than wins and losses. It is about building resilience, confidence, character, and a lifelong love of the game. Players benefit most when coaches and parents understand their roles and work together with a shared purpose.

Our Parent Engagement Program will provide families with practical tools, resources, and guidance to help support their child's soccer journey while reinforcing Dallas Surf culture and values.

Players develop best when coaches and parents work together with a shared purpose.

Supporting Families

What to Expect This Season

Practical information, education, and opportunities to connect.

Throughout the year, parents can look forward to:

  • Monthly parent newsletters with coaching insights and player development ideas.
  • Educational resources focused on positive parenting in sport.
  • Parent workshops and information sessions.
  • Guidance on effective sideline behavior and communication.
  • Opportunities to better understand our coaching philosophy and approach to long-term player development.
Working Together

Our Shared Commitment

Creating the right environment for every player.

Together, we will strive to create an environment where every player feels supported, challenged, and inspired. As a Dallas Surf family, we ask parents to:

  • Encourage effort, learning, and enjoyment above the final score.
  • Trust the development process and allow players to solve problems on the field.
  • Respect referees, opponents, teammates, and coaches at all times.
  • Celebrate resilience, teamwork, and improvement.
  • Help create a positive match-day atmosphere that reflects the values of Dallas Surf.
Dallas Surf

One Team. One Environment.

Every training session, every match, and every conversation contributes to a player's experience. By working together, coaches and parents can provide a consistent message that allows players to grow both on and off the field.

Thank you for being an important part of the Dallas Surf family. We look forward to working with you throughout the season as we continue to create an environment where every player can develop, compete, and enjoy the game.

Together, we are shaping not only better soccer players, but better people.

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]]> 1707 Why do some children stay in sport and why do some walk away? https://dallassurf.com/you-get-everything-else/ Thu, 06 Aug 2026 20:52:11 +0000 https://dallassurf.com/?p=1729 The post Why do some children stay in sport and why do some walk away? appeared first on Dallas Surf Soccer Club.

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Guest Article

You Get Everything Else

A message for the parents who drive standards and create the sporting environment every young player experiences.

Richard Jones

Founder, The Sporting Resource

I've stood on enough touchlines over 15 years to know exactly how we talk about parents in sport. Often it's a discreet conversation, or the separate WhatsApp group, the one without the parents in it, where a name comes up, or a behaviour, or a standard that's slipped and cost a player something.

Nobody ever asks the obvious question, what about the parents who drive standards, who create the sporting environment we all say we want?

This one is written for them, which probably means it's written for you.

What You Actually Give

Your child's coach gets two hours a week, whilst you get everything else.

Almost everything that shapes how your child feels about this sport happens somewhere the coach isn't standing. It happens at the kitchen table on a Friday night when they tell you they don't fancy it tomorrow, and in the hallway at eight the next morning while you're both hunting for the other shin pad, and more than anywhere it happens in the car, in those twenty minutes after the whistle where your child works out whether that game was a disaster or just a game.

Then there's the part nobody counts, the fuel and the fees and the boots outgrown by March, and the lift you've been giving another family's child since September that neither of you has ever mentioned to anyone.

What Your Presence Is Actually Teaching

Children stay in sport when they enjoy it and when they feel they belong, and you hold more influence over both than anyone else at that club.

Applaud a teammate and your child learns something about the group they're part of. Take a poor refereeing decision without shouting and they learn how adults handle unfairness. What they read on your face after a defeat, or in the way you're standing before you've said a word, tells them whether the result has changed how you feel about them, and that's the most important thing they'll find out all season.

None of that appears on any code of conduct, and all of it does more for your child than anything I manage on a Tuesday night at training.

The Hardest Thing You Do

Ask any coach what they want from the drive home and the answer comes back the same, from Wales to Norway to the United States. Ask, don't tell.

You've just watched your own child struggle for an hour. You can see exactly what went wrong, one sentence would fix it, and the right move is to say none of it. That asks for restraint at the precise moment restraint is hardest, in a small enclosed space, with nobody watching and nobody who'll ever know you managed it.

Thousands of you do that every weekend, with no training, no support, nobody explaining why it works, not one word of thanks from a game that depends on you doing it.

Here's the part I'd want every parent to sit with, since a verdict delivered in the first ten minutes ends the conversation before your child has had the chance to start it. They stop working out what happened and start managing your reaction instead, then tell you a little less each game until eventually they tell you nothing at all. You can do the driving and the early mornings and the fees for eight years, and that one habit will quietly undo most of it.

Questions Worth Asking

Silence comes first. Some children talk at the car door, others need until teatime, and the ones who need longer are working out whether it's safe, based mostly on how you took it last week.

When they're ready, these tend to open something up.

  • What did you enjoy most today?
  • Anything you were trying to work on?
  • Who helped you out there?
  • Best bit of your game?
  • Something you want to be sharper at next week?

Notice they're all non-judgemental, none of them mention the result, and every one of them hands your child the microphone. On the way there the same principle runs in reverse, so skip the build-up and skip the kit inventory and let the car sound like any other morning. Build a game-day playlist between you and enjoy the drive.

There are two answers worth welcoming rather than trying to fix. "Dunno" is fine. "I don't want to talk about it" is better than fine, since a child who'll say that to you trusts you enough to say it.

What Happened Instead

Football has spent twenty years telling parents what not to do, with codes of conduct, the rope along the touchline, silent weekends, and signs on the fence about who the game belongs to.

Every one of those came from something real. Referees were walking away from the game, youngsters refereeing on a Sunday morning were getting sworn at by adults three times their age, and some parents did make it about themselves, a few still do, and pretending otherwise would insult your intelligence.

The rope was never the mistake, but stopping there was. Clubs wrote a full account of what a parent must not do, never got round to writing the other half, and parents split two ways.

Some of you took it at face value and went quiet, stood back, said nothing, decided the safest contribution was no contribution at all. Those clubs got the silent touchline they'd asked for, then started wondering why nobody volunteers.

The rest of you filled the gap yourselves, which is exactly what anyone would do. With nothing anywhere describing what good looks like at under-nines, the nearest available model is the one on television every weekend, where a manager screams from the technical area, where one mistake gets picked apart by four pundits at half time, where the result is the only thing anybody discusses afterwards. Sunday morning ends up coached like the Premier League, since nobody ever offered anything else to copy.

Noise Was Never the Problem

A touchline roaring when a nine-year-old scores is a touchline doing its job, and a child who scores and turns round to silence learns something colder than shouting could ever teach them.

Volume was never the issue, but what does the damage is the constant instruction, since your child can't process your voice and the coach's at the same time, and judgement, since a groan carries thirty metres and they'll hear the verdict in it long before they work out the words.

Shout for the goal, for the tackle back, for the child on the other team who's just done something brave, since none of that has ever hurt anybody.

Have You Actually Asked Them?

Some of you will read that and think your child wants you loud, that it helps, that the encouragement is the point and they'd miss it if it stopped.

That might well be true, though the only way you'll ever know is to ask them, on an ordinary day, with no result hanging over it, in a way that lets the answer be no. Children are expert at telling a parent what the parent wants to hear, so "you like me cheering you on, don't you?" has only one available answer and you'll get it every time.

Try these instead.

  • What do you want me doing while you play?
  • Anything I do that you'd rather I stopped?
  • How do you want the car to be afterwards?

Then take the answer, whatever it turns out to be, since a child who tells you the truth once and watches you argue with it won't tell you again.

Two Tools, Both Free

The Sideline Reflection Tool runs to ten questions. Pick the age band that fits your child, answer honestly, and it shows your strongest tendencies rather than a score or a verdict. Nothing's saved, no account is needed, and nobody sees your answers. Five minutes, done on your phone in the car park.

The Youth Sport Parent Self-Assessment is the printable version, scored out of fifty. It works best where two of you fill it in separately and compare, or where a club wants something to build a parents' evening around rather than another PDF nobody opens.

Neither will tell you anything your child couldn't tell you themselves. Both make it easier to ask.

One Thing This Season

Stand where your child can see you. No code of conduct asks for that, no rule requires it, and nobody will notice whether you did.

At some point on Saturday morning your child will do something they're proud of, and the first thing they'll do is look up.

Be there when they do.

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]]> 1729 Game Day Performance Nutrition Guide https://dallassurf.com/gamedaynutrition/ Tue, 07 Apr 2026 03:07:35 +0000 https://dallassurf.com/?p=1534 The post Game Day Performance Nutrition Guide appeared first on Dallas Surf Soccer Club.

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Parent & Player Guide to Game Day Nutrition

What players eat before training and games has a direct impact on their energy, focus, recovery, and performance.

In this session, Dallas Surf Director of Coaching Gavin Mole shares practical strategies to help parents and players understand how to fuel properly on game day.

From breakfast to kickoff, the goal is simple: give players the energy they need to perform at their best.

Watch the Webinar

From Breakfast to Kick-Off: Parent’s Guide to Game Day Nutrition for Soccer Players

Get the Game Day Guide

To support players and families beyond the webinar, we created:

Fuel Your Game: The Kickoff Guide

A beginner-friendly performance nutrition guide designed specifically for soccer players and parents.

Instead of complicated science, this guide provides clear, practical strategies families can apply immediately.

GET THE GUIDE

Use discount code ‘SURF’ for 33% off!

Fuel Your Game: The Kickoff Guide

What players eat before training and games has a direct impact on their energy, focus, recovery, and performance.

Fuel Your Game: The Kickoff Guide is a simple performance nutrition guide designed specifically for soccer players and parents. It includes game day fueling plans, hydration strategies, performance plate visuals, and easy habits that help players feel better and perform at their best.

If you’ve ever wondered what your player should eat before games, during tournaments, or after matches, this guide breaks it down clearly.

GET THE GUIDE

Use discount code ‘SURF’ for 33% off!

What the Parents are Saying

“

I just wanted to thank you so much for hosting that webinar today. I am a pediatrician and an adolescent medicine specialist with a particular interest in sports medicine, injury prevention, and performance optimization. I just have to say that the nutrition expert you brought on today was absolutely phenomenal.

I am also the mom of a 13 year old hard working soccer player who happens to be a picky eater, and many of the suggestions shared today were incredibly actionable and helpful.

Really appreciate these types of educational opportunities from the larger Surf organization. Thank you.

Katie Zeigler, MD MPH
Western Washington Surf EA

Want more youth soccer insights?

Our Insider shares practical tools to help kids thrive in youth soccer — with tips for parents, coaches, and players. From training ideas to parent support and player nutrition, all designed to support your player’s journey on and off the field

Sign Up

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]]> 1534 Dallas Surf | FlickTec https://dallassurf.com/flicktec/ Tue, 07 Apr 2026 03:07:22 +0000 https://dallassurf.com/?p=1533 The post Dallas Surf | FlickTec appeared first on Dallas Surf Soccer Club.

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Train every day. See it on the field

Personalized soccer training from a UEFA Champions League coach.
Dallas Surf members save 40% for life.

FREE TRIAL

🏆 Coach of the Month – Danielle Caro

This month, we’re proud to recognize Danielle as our Dallas Surf Coach of the Month.

“Danielle has been a fantastic addition to our club, and we are delighted to have her as part of our National League coaching staff. She embodies exactly what we look for in our coaches—professional, knowledgeable, and committed to continuous growth. Danielle actively invests in her coaching education and remains open to feedback, always striving to elevate her practice.

I’ve seen firsthand how her players respond to her on game days; the energy she brings is infectious. She makes brave decisions that challenge and develop her players, and the feedback I’ve received from her team has been outstanding. With her high-level playing background, strong game knowledge, and exemplary attitude, Danielle is a fantastic role model and a true asset to our club.”

– Rich Evans
National League Director

“

We’re excited to partner with FlickTec to give our players a simple way to keep working on their game outside of team training. At Dallas Surf, we believe development doesn’t just happen in sessions. The players who improve the most are the ones who take ownership and spend time with the ball on their own. FlickTec supports that by giving players a structured and engaging way to continue that work.

Gavin Mole
Director of Coaching

Want more youth soccer insights?

Our Insider shares practical tools to help kids thrive in youth soccer — with tips for parents, coaches, and players. From training ideas to parent support and player nutrition, all designed to support your player’s journey on and off the field

Sign Up

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]]> 1533 Dallas Surf | MLS Next https://dallassurf.com/dallassurf-mlsnext/ Tue, 07 Apr 2026 03:07:11 +0000 https://dallassurf.com/?p=1540 The post Dallas Surf | MLS Next appeared first on Dallas Surf Soccer Club.

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Dallas Surf Accepted Into MLS NEXT Academy Division

 

A New Chapter for Dallas Surf Boys

Dallas Surf has officially been accepted into the MLS NEXT Academy Division, marking an important step forward for the boys program and the continued growth of the club.

MLS NEXT is widely recognized as the premier youth development platform in North America, bringing together top academies and leading clubs in an environment focused on elite competition, professional standards, and long-term player development.

 

The Journey to MLS NEXT

The opportunity to join MLS NEXT Academy Division is the result of years of steady progress within the Dallas Surf boys program.

Over time, the club has continued to raise standards across coaching, training environments, and player development. As the program has grown, so has the ambition to provide players with opportunities that match their level and potential.

Our focus has always been on building the right environment first. That means investing in coaches, creating a clear development pathway through the age groups, and maintaining standards that challenge players every day in training and competition.

Being accepted into MLS NEXT Academy Division reflects that progress and recognizes the work that players, coaches, and families have contributed to building the program.

 

What MLS NEXT Provides

Participation in MLS NEXT Academy Division provides several key opportunities for Dallas Surf players:

Elite Competition

Players compete against strong academies and top clubs in a demanding competitive environment.

National Events

MLS NEXT hosts national events and showcases that bring together elite clubs from across the country.

Exposure to Colleges and Scouts

MLS NEXT events attract significant attention from college programs and professional scouts.

Professional Standards

The platform emphasizes development environments similar to professional academies.

 

What This Means for Dallas Surf Families

For Dallas Surf families, MLS NEXT Academy Division provides players the opportunity to develop in a more challenging and structured environment while remaining part of the club community they already know.

Players will experience higher level competition, national events, and increased exposure to college and professional pathways, all while continuing to train within the Surf development model that focuses on long term growth and strong coaching.

This platform is another step forward in continuing to build an environment where ambitious players can develop and compete at the highest level.

Register your interest in MLS Next AD and our Parent Information Call on April 8th at 8pm.

Dallas Surf MLS Next Page

 

Learn More About MLS NEXT

If you would like to learn more about the platform and how MLS NEXT operates, visit the official MLS NEXT website.

🔗 MLS NEXT Overview

https://www.mlssoccer.com/mlsnext

MLS Next Event Calendar

 

 

Want more youth soccer insights?

Our Insider shares practical tools to help kids thrive in youth soccer — with tips for parents, coaches, and players. From training ideas to parent support and player nutrition, all designed to support your player’s journey on and off the field

Sign Up

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]]> 1540 Girls Academy Talent ID Showcase https://dallassurf.com/ga-talent-id-showcase/ Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:26:15 +0000 https://dallassurf.com/?p=1467 The post Girls Academy Talent ID Showcase appeared first on Dallas Surf Soccer Club.

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Dallas Surf GA players invited to attend the GA Frontier Conference Talent ID Showcase

Several Dallas Surf players were recently invited to attend the Girls Academy Frontier Conference Talent ID Showcase, an event that brings together top players from clubs across the conference.

The showcase provides a valuable platform for athletes to compete at an elite level while being observed by college coaches, Girls Academy staff, and U.S. Youth Soccer scouts.

Selections for this event recognize players who are consistently performing at a high level within their club environment.

Competing Among the Top Players

Events like the Girls Academy Talent ID Showcase are designed to identify and support players who are demonstrating the ability to compete at the highest levels of youth soccer.

For our players, this experience provides an opportunity to step into a new environment, challenge themselves against strong competition, and continue progressing within the national Girls Academy pathway.

Recognition at this level is not only a reflection of individual dedication, but also a sign of the continued growth of the Dallas Surf girls program.

We are thrilled to see our athletes gaining exposure to college recruitment and national scouting networks so early in our GA journey. Their participation highlights the pathway we are building for young female players to pursue their soccer dreams at the next level.

Congratulations to our eight Dallas Surf representatives—you are paving the way for future generations and showing what’s possible when talent, commitment, and opportunity come together.

Dallas Surf Players Selected

We are proud to recognize the Dallas Surf players selected for this Girls Academy Talent ID Showcase:

2012 Mia Naranjo 2011 Avelie Reyes
2012 Camila Molina 2010 Grace Garrison
2012 Elena Benitez 2010 Landyn Heisserer
2011 Parker Meyer 2008 Addison Lee

Congratulations to each of these players for representing Dallas Surf at this event.

Their selection reflects the commitment, work ethic, and development they demonstrate every day in training and competition.

Strong Locally. Competitive Nationally.

The Girls Academy platform continues to create meaningful opportunities for our players, and we are proud to see Dallas Surf athletes recognized at events like the GA Frontier Conference Talent ID Showcase.

Congratulations again to the players who represented our club.

We look forward to continuing to see their development and success within the Girls Academy.

For our Dallas Surf members, the Girls Academy is more than a schedule of games. It’s a competitive environment that challenges players, exposes them to new demands, and supports long term development. We’re proud to provide this pathway for our families and proud of how our players continue to rise to the challenge.

For more information on the platform, click here.

Questions? Contact our GA Director, Nick Heisserer – nheisserer@dallassurf.com

Want more youth soccer insights?

Our Insider shares practical tools to help kids thrive in youth soccer — with tips for parents, coaches, and players. From training ideas to parent support and player nutrition, all designed to support your player’s journey on and off the field

Sign Up

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]]> 1467 Being Part of Surf Nation https://dallassurf.com/surf-nation-spotlight/ Thu, 05 Mar 2026 03:25:12 +0000 https://dallassurf.com/?p=1474 The post Being Part of Surf Nation appeared first on Dallas Surf Soccer Club.

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Dallas Surf is proud of the local community we’ve built here in North Texas.

But through Surf Nation, the opportunities available to our players and coaches extend far beyond Dallas.

Surf Nation is a network of more than 60 clubs and over 40,000 players across the country. That connection brings opportunities for our players and coaches that simply wouldn’t exist if we were operating alone.

For our players and coaches, being part of Surf Nation means access to bigger stages, stronger competition, and a nationwide community that shares the same goal.

Develop better players and better people through the game. Click the image below to see Our Why

Opportunities for Our Players

One of the biggest benefits of being part of Surf Nation is the opportunities it creates for our players.

Last month alone, over 60 Dallas Surf players traveled to San Diego for Surf Select National Weekend, competing alongside some of the best players from Surf clubs across the country.

For many players, this is where the pathway begins.

Regional identification leads to national events, and national events open doors to further opportunities.

But the experiences don’t stop there.

Last year, 18 Dallas Surf players were selected to represent Surf Select internationally, traveling to compete in Europe. Those teams faced elite professional academies, including matches against Manchester United.

For young players, those are once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

They test themselves against the best players in the country and the world, while representing their club and their community.

A National Platform

Being part of Surf Nation also creates opportunities closer to home.

Our players regularly guest play with other Surf clubs across the country, stepping into major tournaments and events they might not otherwise have access to.

That means:

  • Competing against top national competition
  • Playing in some of the biggest youth events in the country
  • Performing in front of college coaches they might never see locally

These experiences stretch players, expose them to different environments, and help them understand what the next level of the game looks like.

And when players are ready to pursue college soccer, those opportunities matter.

Surf Nation has a deep network of connections across the college game, including coaches within the Surf community and major recruiting events that attract hundreds of college programs every year.

Opportunities for Our Coaches

Surf Nation doesn’t only create opportunities for players.

It also creates incredible opportunities for coaches to learn, collaborate, and work at the highest levels of youth soccer.

Each year, Dallas Surf can be selected to work within the Surf Select program, coaching regional and national teams alongside some of the best coaches in the Surf network.

Last year, our Director of Coaching, Gavin Mole had the opportunity to coach multiple Surf Select national teams, including an unforgettable trip to Salou, Spain.

There, his U11 team competed against elite European academies including Valencia and Braga, eventually reaching the semifinals before falling to FC Porto.

This year, he will again represent Surf Nation internationally, coaching the 2013 boys national team in Northern Ireland.

These experiences allow our coaches to work in high-performance environments while bringing new ideas, standards, and learning back to Dallas.

“It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for both myself and the players. As a coach, testing ourselves against the best U11 team I’ve ever seen in Valencia was incredible. But more importantly, our players got to see what it truly looks like to be among the best young players in the world. The atmosphere was unbelievable. Valencia teams lined the field playing drums and chanting as we played. It was something none of us will ever forget.” Gavin Mole

Recognizing Coaching Excellence

Dallas Surf also celebrates coaching excellence each year.

Each year, the Dallas Surf Coach of the Year award provides a coach the opportunity to lead a Surf Select National Team.

This year’s Dallas Surf winner, Chase Shutz, will travel to England to coach the 2011 Boys Surf Select National Team, representing Surf Nation on an international stage.

For our coaches, these opportunities are not just rewards.

They are experiences that raise standards and help our entire club grow.

A Nationwide Coaching Community

Another powerful part of Surf Nation is the national coaching community.

Coaches across the country share ideas, resources, and conversations around one central focus.

How do we develop better players?

From national leadership summits to everyday conversations between clubs, Surf Nation creates an environment where coaches can learn from each other and continue to grow professionally.

That collaboration strengthens every club involved.

And ultimately, it benefits the players on the field.

Strong Locally. Connected Nationally.

Dallas Surf will always be rooted in our local community.

But being part of Surf Nation allows our players and coaches to step into opportunities far beyond Dallas.

International competition.

National identification programs.

Major tournaments and recruiting environments.

Coaching development and collaboration across the country.

These experiences raise standards, accelerate development, and open doors.

And they are part of what makes being part of Surf Nation so special.

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