Croatia Juniors Soccer Club Welcomes New Coaches to Staff
Top Row (left to right): Giuliana Grgic, Ivan Matkovic, Mario Grgic Jr.
Bottom Row (left to right): Bianca Medancic, Ben Patrizi, Kristina Petrovic
Croatia Juniors Soccer Club is excited to announce the addition of new coaches ahead of the spring 2024 season. According to Club Director Mario Grgic, “We are very excited to welcome a group of new coaches to our staff. As we continue to grow, it is important that our coaches bring a balanced variety of experience and fresh ideas to the table. We aim to create the best possible development environment for our players, and we believe that our strong staff, along with these new additions, will help us do so.”
After playing and coaching with the Miami University Women’s Club Soccer program, Giuliana Grgic brings her experience to the Croatia Juniors girls program as an assistant coach with the 2012 and 2013 girls. Girls Director of Coaching Drago Dumbovic highlights the importance of the hire, saying “Giuliana is a fantastic addition to our girls program. Her energy, enthusiasm, and experience are phenomenal. Our younger players with whom Giuliana will be working will benefit tremendously from Giuliana’s guidance as they continue their development with Croatia Juniors.”
Additionally, Grgic will promote the club as a co-director of marketing alongside Ivica Miljak, who also serves as the coach of the 2005/06 girls team. Miljak believes that she will excel in this role, stating, “Giuliana’s passion and ideas are a huge boost to our organization. On the coaching side, she strives to instill in players the same love for the game that she possesses herself. In addition, she has already made great strides for our club in her marketing capacity, playing an instrumental role in creating and hosting the First Annual Croatia Cleveland Alumni Game, which brought together players and alumni from the ages of 6 to 60, sharing their appreciation for the history of Croatia Cleveland Soccer Club. This was the first of many awesome experiences for our club which Giuliana will have a hand in promoting and executing.”
Ivan Matkovic joins the boys side after a long career with Croatia Juniors and the Croatia Cleveland Majors men’s team. According to Boys Director of Coaching Zel Marusic, “Ivan is a perfect addition to our staff. After growing up in our club, he knows us inside and out and we are lucky to have his knowledge and experience. In his short coaching tenure, he has already experienced success, leading our 2010/11 boys team to a gold medal at the Cleveland Indoor Classic tournament. The future is bright!”
Croatia Juniors’ Kicks for Kids program bolstered its staff with the addition of Mario Grgic Jr., Bianca Medancic, Ben Patrizi, and Kristina Petrovic. For Kicks for Kids Co-Director Ante Pilekic, the hires come at the perfect time. “Proper development at the youngest ages is crucial. First and foremost, our Kicks for Kids program aims to develop a passion for the game while instilling a foundation of skills for lifelong development. Mario, Bianca, Ben, and Kristina are all enthusiastic and passionate about giving back to our club and community. Seeing the smiles on our kids’ faces and watching them build confidence on the field makes it clear that these coaches will do a wonderful job of creating a solid foundation that will benefit our club and players for years to come.”
For additional information about the coaching staff of Croatia Juniors Soccer Club, please visit croatiajuniors.com/coaching-staff.
