Petar Bajic Soccer Coach

Petar's Info

Petar's cell phone number: +381-(0)60-0578-222

Petar's email address: Send Email

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Soccer Biography

Some 25 years ago, in former Yugoslavia, Petar and his 5 minutes younger identical twin brother Milos embarked on a practicing soccer adventure for their local school team. Unfortunately, it happened almost parallel with a civil war outbreak and unrest in former Yugoslavia, which lasted almost a decade. Very soon, twin brothers excelled and were scouted from a premier division youth academy called FC Zemun. Next three years marked the golden age for the twin boys. In those three years, they were the major force behind the team that won two national titles, one national cup, and one runner up position. This golden era was also crowned with an U14 National Team selection as the boys were selected among the most talented in Belgrade region. Scouted again, but this time from the FC Partizan Belgrade youth academy, Petar and Milos signed a contract with the team in 1995 - arguably one of the best youth academies in Serbia and among the top 20 youth academies in Europe; the success continued and one more title and one runner up position were added to the belt. Now the boys were already young men and ready for a senior level competition. As it usually happens, Petar and Milos were transferred to other teams to gain necessary experience. For a couple of years, both of the brothers played semi-professional in Serbia until they have found out about a possibility to play college level soccer in the US. After sending initial emails of interest to a couple of different US colleges, the brothers got most attractive offer from Williams Baptist College in Arkansas. In their first season at WBC, for the first time in WBC history, two players were selected on an ALL regional team (NAIA Region V) - Petar on an honorable mentioned team and Milos on the first team. The hard work paid off again, and the brothers received full-ride scholarships from the NAIA Men's soccer powerhouse, Judson University, which was their new home. Led by Steve Burke, NAIA's most decorated soccer coach, Petar and Milos greatly contributed to already successful JU soccer program by helping winning Chicago land title twice, North-east regional title twice, and taking the team to the national tournament twice ( link1, link2, link3). In 2006, after trying out for Palm Beach Pumas, Florida based PDL team, Milos and Petar made the team and spent that whole summer in FL with the PBP and their founder Mr. Bobby Lennon (US Soccer Hall of Fame). About that time, Petar and Milos started their first coaching steps. Upon the return to Chicago and Judson University, Petar and Milos engaged even more seriously into coaching and throughout the years acquired some of the most prestigious soccer coaching licenses out there. After the college career, Petar and Milos have established two organizations together one of which is non for profit and called Strive Soccer and another is for profit and called Athlax. The former has for goal to introduce the beautiful game of soccer to a kids from unprivileged Chicago areas. The later has for goal to promote the idea of sports and education as one entity and help perspective student-athletes worldwide acquire athletic scholarships at some of the most prestigious US universities. Besides all of that, Petar has also managed to coach and play soccer in countries such as the UK and Germany. Petar speaks 3 languages (Serbian, English and German) and has graduated from JU with a degree in Sports Management (minor PE), in 2010. In his free time, Petar likes traveling, web development, outdoors, photography, meeting new people, learning languages, cooking, fishing, and exploring unknown.
Petar's signature

Professional Coaching Experiences

July 2016 - January 2017
FC Torino Bocas (Free Soccer Academy) - Isla Colon, Panama
Director of Development
Soccer Outreach Officer
Soccer Coach

March 2016 - July 2016
Coronado International School - Playa Coronado, Panama
Development of the Teaching Curriculum
Extracurricular Activities Coordinator
Athletic Department AD

September 2011 – July 2015
TÜS Hermannsburg - Hermannsburg, NS, Germany
Senior Player and Senior Team Assistant Coach
Senior Level Coaching (Travel Team)

September 2010 – September 2011
FA London “Grassroots Program” - London, UK
“Grassroots” Developer and Outreach Coordinator
Project developer, coordinator, and soccer coach
Fostering of positive social behaviors and role models through the game of soccer

March 2010 – July 2010
Wauconda Area Youth Soccer Club - Wauconda, IL, USA
Full Time Soccer Coach to U10 Boys & U8 Girls travel teams
Skill development & coordination techniques, intro to game rules, basic tactics, etc
Taught physical, mental and social development through the game of soccer

September 2009 – December 2009
Welling United Football Club (U18 Travel Team) - London, UK
Full Time Student Intern & U18 Assistant Soccer Coach
Academy Administration and Organization
Outreach Coordinator & Under18 Assistant Team Coach

July 2008 – September 2009
Crystal Lake Soccer Academy - Crystal Lake, IL, USA
Part Time Soccer Coach of the U6/U7 girls and U14/U15 boys
Teaching and developing age appropriate soccer skills in a fun, competitive and supportive environment
Promoting the self-confidence and social development of all of “my” players, and model good sportsmanship, fair play, and teamwork for players, and parents.

June 2008 – July 2008
Number One Soccer Camps - Danbury, CT, USA
Full Time Camp Coach to Different age Groups and Genders
Fine tuning campers' foot skills and various soccer techniques
Player assessment and development planning.

May 2006 – August 2007
Palm Beach Pumas (PDL Soccer Team) - Lake Worth, FL, USA
Full Time Outreach Soccer Coach & program coordinator
Coordinating PBP pre-school outreach program in Palm Beach School District.
Execution of marketing & administrative tasks involved with the outreach program
Taught the importance of soccer and healthy lifestyle, teamwork, and leadership

Educational Path

Fall 1996 – Spring 2000
XI Belgrade HS (Sports Gymnasium) - Belgrade, Serbia
Department of Social Studies and Languages
Completed all 4 years

Fall 2001 – Spring 2003
Medical College - Belgrade, Serbia
Department of Physical Therapy and Kinesiology
Completed 2 out of 3 years

Fall 2005 – Spring 2007
Williams Baptist College - Walnut Ridge, AR, USA
Department of Physical Education (PE)
Completed 2 years and transferred to Judson University

Fall 2007 – Spring 2010
Judson University - Elgin, IL, USA
Department of Sports Management
Graduated with a cummulative GPA of 3.2

Certificates and Licences

Sports Management Degree

Judson University, May 2010
Elgin, IL, USA

...OR...

Dean's List Certificate

Judson University, December 2009
Elgin, IL, USA

...OR...

Official Academic Transcript

Judson University, Nov 2012
Elgin, IL, USA

...OR...

Physical Therapy and Kinesiology Transcript

Viša Medicinska Škola (Medical College)
Belgrade-Zemun, Serbia, 2002

- ...OR... -

FA London Level I Certificate

FA London, January 2010
London, UK

...OR...

UEFA C Certificate

FA Serbia, March 2014
Novi Sad, Serbia

...OR...

NCCAA Student-Athlete of the Week Certificate

NCCAA, September 2008
Elgin, IL, USA

...OR...

Soccer References

Steve Burke

Judson University
Men's Soccer Head Coach, 32nd Season
Elgin, IL, USA
Tel: +1-847-542-5713
Email: sburke@judsonu.edu
Languages: English

Diego Cevallos

Judson University
Women's Soccer Head Coach, 8th Season
Elgin, IL, USA
Tel: +1-847-628-1596
Email: dcevallos@judsonu.edu
Languages: Spanish, English

Shane Stolz

Williams Baptist College
Soccer Head Coach, 6th Season
Walnut Ridge, AR, USA
Tel: +1-870-759-4156
Email: sstolz@wbcoll.edu
Languages: English

Bobby Lennon

FC Marbella United
Soccer Coach & US Soccer Hall of Famer
Marbella, Spain
Tel: +34-722-251-732
Email: info@marbellaunitedfc.com
Languages: English

William Zardetto

Crystal Lake Soccer Federation
Soccer & Strength and Conditioning Coach
Chicago, USA
Tel: +1-224-400-3841
Email: mwzardetto@hotmail.com
Languages: Portuguese, English, Spanish, Italian

Professional Associations

Strive Soccer NFP

Strive Soccer is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes in accordance with section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Our programs are designed to help each particpant take his/her game to the next level. Our coaching staff is strictly selected in order to help all chlidren reach their fullest potential. Since working with children demands highly caring and responsible individuals, we require each of our coaches and volunteers submit to a background check. Our programs are officially recognized by Illinois Youth Soccer Association, U.S. Youth Soccer Association and Olympic Development Program.

Tel: +1-224-634-0504
Email: mbajic@strivesoccer.com

Athletic Scholarships USA

Athletic Scholarships USA is the primary resource for athletes from around the World wishing to play sports and study in some of the most prestigious US Universities. Our domestic as well as international administrative personnel allow our organization to maintain many contacts that we have built over the years. Our recruitment services are offered exclusively to athletes from outside the United States. Our organization represents an integration of international cultures into one academic and athletic community.

Tel: +507-6460-1723
Email: info@athlax.com

The Benefits of Playing Soccer

Mental

Your child, due to soccer dynamics, will be forced to make timely decisions, think proactive, will learn how to become a leader, will learn how to get out of stressful situations as a winner, will learn to respect teamwork and its importance, will learn how to accomplish certain tasks under a specific timeframe, will learn from its own mistakes and mistakes its teammates, will learn to "read the game" or predict its opponent's next move, will learn to respect authorities, will learn how to navigate in a very dynamic environment and its role in the same...are just some of the cognitive skills that your child is going to learn through the game of soccer - all of which are highly applicable and related to a real life situations.

Physical

As an aerobic activity (requiring a free oxygen), soccer is a perfect tool for fighting a child obesity. It will improve your child's cardiovascular system and its ability to absorb and transport more oxygen. More oxygen to the body and brain could improve your child's ability to better focus and study. Muscles and body posture are going to benefit greatly and get stronger as well. The lung capacity of your child shall also improve due to intense and enduring soccer practices and games; the same goes for a heart muscle "so-called soccer heart". By strengthening and improving functionality of these vital organs, soccer can even act as a prevention tool for many health related issues.

Social

A coed sport, among young children, soccer teaches gender equality and respect. Thanks to soccer, your child will become a better communicator. It will also provide a sense of belonging to a team or group and eliminate social isolation and estrangement traumas. Your child will have an opportunity to practice with or compete against other children from different backgrounds and cultures. Soccer will also help your child acquire a bunch of new friends.

Practical

Besides psychosomatic benefits, soccer can also help you acquire a soccer scholarship at one of many US based universities. It could also help you land a lucrative soccer contract with one of many professional teams worldwide. There are also many international opportunities for soccer coaches, managers, agents and other administrative soccer professionals.

Soccer Programs

In-School Program

In-school soccer program could be a perfect suplement to your already existing PE curriculum. Once a week, the program aims to provide healthy, friendly and fun soccer environment for children 6 years and up. It is designed to be coed and of recreational character. Following are program's requirements ^{[?] (Physician's approval, valid medical insurance, climate appropriate soccer kit, soccer shoes, sun-cream, age-appropriate soccer ball, shin-guards and bottle of water).}

^{[?] (i.e. if a monthly field rental is $100 and a total number of participants is 10 then additional $10 is going to be billed to each participant).}

After-School Program

After-school soccer program is a perfect program for busy parents. The program aims to provide, two times a week, healthy, friendly and fun soccer environment for children 6 years and up. It is designed to be coed and of recreational character (not a competitive soccer level). Following are the requirements ^{[?] (Physician's approval, valid medical insurance, climate appropriate soccer kit, soccer shoes, sun-cream, age-appropriate soccer ball, shin-guards and bottle of water).}

^{[?] (i.e. if a monthly field rental is $100 and a total number of participants is 10 then additional $10 is going to be billed to each participant).}

Travel-Team Program

Travel-team soccer program is designed for children who wish to master the game of soccer. This program goes deep into the technical and tactical aspects of the game preparing your child for competitive level soccer. The program includes 3 practices per week and a weekend league game or a friendly feature. Following are program's requirements ^{[?] (Physician's approval, valid medical insurance, climate appropriate soccer kit, soccer shoes, sun-cream, age-appropriate soccer ball, shin-guards and bottle of water).}

^{[?] (i.e. if a monthly field rental is $100 and a total number of participants is 10 then additional $10 is going to be billed to each participant).}

Prep Program

Whether your child needs to fine tune its soccer skills for a High School level soccer, College Soccer, PRO Soccer, or just to improve its game, coach Petar will be happy to work closely with your child to improve its all soccer imperfections and make your child as marketable as possible to a wide range of soccer teams out there. This program usually means work in small groups of 5 participants maximum or even 1 on 1 sessions. Following are program's requirements ^{[?] (Physician's approval, valid medical insurance, climate appropriate soccer kit, soccer shoes, sun-cream, age-appropriate soccer ball, shin-guards and bottle of water).}

^{[?] (24 hours in advance, via email newsletter, parents will be notified of all practice details (time, address, etc.) including the practice plan. It's a perfect medium to stay updated, report any injuries, absence or simple send feedbacks).} ^{[?] (i.e. if a monthly field rental is $100 and a total number of participants is 5 then additional $20 is going to be billed to each participant).}