Chat By The Pitch

The Foundation of Dallas Surf: Culture, Coaches & Commitment Part 2


Listen Later

In Part 2 of our conversation with Gavin Mole and Tony Cavalle from Dallas Surf, we dig into the strategy behind their mission to build a nationally respected soccer club. From their investment in academy coaches to setting clear college pathways for players, this episode is a blueprint on how to grow a club with purpose.


Learn how Dallas Surf is using Surf Select, affordable access to training, professional-level video analysis, and structured progression to support both players and coaches in meaningful ways.


Key Talking Points:

• Why they pay academy coaches like select coaches

• The Surf Select pathway: local to international opportunities

• Building internal culture through coach development

• Free and affordable training opportunities across DFW

• Use of Huddle, Athlete One, and film to boost college recruiting

• Upcoming showcase events and recruiting strategy

• Facility improvements and equitable resource distribution

• The challenge of managing growth while staying player-focused

• Supporting coaches and players with retention in mind

• What it means to truly aim for national relevance


🎧 Tune in to learn:

• How Surf is using national structure to help kids go pro and college

• Why film, communication, and ID camps matter more than ever

• What makes their academy program different—and better

• The hard truths about player motivation and development


Quotes from Tony Cavalle:

“If we’re not trying to be the best club in the country, then it just wasn’t worth it.”

“We raised academy coach pay to match select so we could attract top coaching talent.”

“We use Athlete One, we use Huddle, we use whatever helps these kids get seen.”

“We’re taking big swings—and soon people will see Surf differently.”

“We want all facilities to be well-lit, flat, and playable—no matter what side of town.”

Quotes from Gavin Mole:

“Our academy is the most important part of the club.”

“You have to make them fall in love with the game first—and the ball second.”

“Retention here is strong because we support both coaches and players.”

“If I was a player, having this video to watch would’ve been amazing.”

“Surf Select isn’t just for kids—it's a pathway for coaches to grow, too.”



📲 Connect with Dallas Surf

🌐 Website: www.dallassurf.com

📧 Emails & phone numbers for staff available online

Follow Chat By The Pitch

🐦 X (Twitter): @ChatByThePitch

📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch

📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch

🎧 Subscribe & Leave a Review: Please subscribe to Chat By The Pitch on your favorite podcast platform and leave us a review! Your support helps us grow and bring more in-depth conversations with players, coaches, and leaders in youth soccer.

#DallasSurf #YouthSoccer #SoccerPathways #ChatByThePitch #CollegeSoccer #SurfSelect #SoccerPodcast #ECNL #SoccerDevelopment #DFWSoccer


...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Chat By The PitchBy Ian Babcock

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

5 ratings


More shows like Chat By The Pitch

View all
The Joe Rogan Experience by Joe Rogan

The Joe Rogan Experience

224,090 Listeners

Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union Podcast by FOX Sports

Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union Podcast

1,096 Listeners

Pivot by New York Magazine

Pivot

8,936 Listeners

3four3 FM by 3four3

3four3 FM

207 Listeners

Youth Soccer Coaching Player Development Podcast by MyFootballCoach

Youth Soccer Coaching Player Development Podcast

77 Listeners

Way of Champions Podcast by John O'Sullivan

Way of Champions Podcast

272 Listeners

Modern Soccer Coach Podcast by Gary Curneen

Modern Soccer Coach Podcast

260 Listeners

Today, Explained by Vox

Today, Explained

10,075 Listeners

Inside College Soccer by Inside College Soccer

Inside College Soccer

18 Listeners

The Inside Scoop with Anytime Soccer Training - Discussing Youth Soccer from Around the World by Neil Crawford

The Inside Scoop with Anytime Soccer Training - Discussing Youth Soccer from Around the World

19 Listeners

Breaking the Line: The ECNL Podcast by Elite Clubs National League

Breaking the Line: The ECNL Podcast

24 Listeners

Call It What You Want: A CBS Sports Golazo Network Podcast by CBS Sports, USMNT, U.S. Soccer, MLS, World Cup, UCL, Americans Abroad

Call It What You Want: A CBS Sports Golazo Network Podcast

314 Listeners

THE Soccer Dad-Pod by Gaslight Studio STL

THE Soccer Dad-Pod

68 Listeners

How To Play College Soccer with Collegesoccerguy by Zev

How To Play College Soccer with Collegesoccerguy

44 Listeners

Unfiltered Soccer with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard by Landon Donovan, Tim Howard

Unfiltered Soccer with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard

166 Listeners