Surf Nation Coaches Leading The Way
by Jamie30 Surf Nation Coaches Complete First Director of Football Course Powered by MiMentor and Led by Ryan Maye
MiMentor is proud to celebrate the successful completion of the first-ever Surf Nation Director of Football Course, a groundbreaking four-month program developed in partnership with Surf Nation and led by Ryan Maye, Head of Coaching and Development at a leading Premier League club.
Over 30 coaches representing 22 Surf Nation clubs across the United States dedicated themselves to this journey, with participants investing on average 14 hours to complete the courses on the MiMentor Platform with additional time spent attending live webinars and digital drop-in support sessions. The course was designed to empower the next generation of soccer leaders with the knowledge, confidence, and leadership skills needed to drive long-term success within their clubs.
A Comprehensive Learning Experience
Built on MiMentor’s proven education and mentorship framework, the Director of Football course explored key areas essential to high-performing football environments – including vision and mission development, emotional intelligence, and professional growth.
One of the standout modules, Professional Development Planning (PDP), guided coaches through creating structured, actionable plans for their personal and professional growth. Through this module, participants learned how to assess their strengths, identify growth areas, set meaningful goals, and align their development with both personal ambitions and club objectives.
Learning in Action
Throughout the program, coaches were encouraged not just to learn but to apply. Each participant presented how they would implement their key insights within their own clubs – creating a ripple effect of leadership and positive change across Surf Nation.
Reflecting on her experience, Debs Brereton, Surf Nation’s Director of Coaching, shared:
“Learning more about empathy and self-awareness helped me understand how my emotions and behaviours shape the environment I create. Working through the Professional Development Plan really pushed me to think critically about my growth areas – it was challenging, but incredibly rewarding.”
Leadership and Mentorship at the Core
Under the guidance of Ryan Maye, who has played a pivotal role in the success of a current English Premier League club’s academy, coaches benefited from elite-level insights and mentorship throughout the course.
“It’s been a real privilege to work with everyone on the Surf Nation Technical Directors Course,” said Maye. “It’s inspiring to see such a forward-thinking organisation investing in its people and its future. The work done here goes beyond this course, it’s helping shape future leaders and strengthening the development of coaches across Surf Nation.”
A Shared Vision for the Future
The collaboration between MiMentor, as a global leader in coach education, and Surf Nation, one of the most successful youth soccer networks in the U.S., reflects a shared commitment to raising coaching standards and nurturing leaders who make a lasting impact.
“At MiMentor, we’re incredibly proud to partner with Surf Nation and Ryan Maye on such a forward-thinking initiative,” said James Baker our Co-Founder. “The Director of Football Course embodies what MiMentor stands for: empowering coaches and organisations through meaningful education, mentorship, and professional development.”
For over 47 years, Surf has been a pioneering force in youth soccer, with over $12 million in charitable donations, 20+ national championships, and a proud record of developing professional, collegiate, and international players.
By combining Surf’s legacy of excellence with MiMentor’s innovative digital education platform, the Director of Football Course set a new benchmark for leadership development within U.S. soccer, blending world-class expertise, reflective practice, and a commitment to continuous growth.
