Meet the Coach: Sourosh Amani, Boys Soccer
Coach Amani brings international expertise to the boys soccer program
For Eagles soccer coach Sourosh Amani, soccer is life. Coach Amani brings his lifelong love of the game and experience as an international and collegiate player as he takes Rabun Gap’s soccer program to the next level.
Coach Amani joined the Rabun Gap family in 2017 to lead the varsity Eagles boys soccer team. He grew up competing for professional youth soccer academies in his home country of the Netherlands. Coach Amani decided to continue his soccer career in the United States in order to combine education and the game he loves at the collegiate level. After accepting a full scholarship from Berry College in Mt. Berry, Georgia, Coach Amani transferred to Berry College in August 2007 and graduated in May 2010 with a B.A. degree in the field of communications.
Coach Amani has experienced the game as a player at the amateur, semi-professional and professional level on three continents. He also has an extensive coaching background, leading club and high school teams across the Southeast U.S. After his first season at Rabun Gap, Coach Amani obtained a ‘C’ Soccer Coaching Licence from the United States Soccer Federation.
“Soccer is my passion, but it’s also a tool to help build positive and hard working character in my players,” Amani said. “My goal is to teach them the skills necessary to perform at the collegiate level on the field, and to teach the qualities you need to in life.”
Amani’s coaching philosophy points to his desire to teach players the life lessons soccer can teach. In addition to his work with the varsity team, Coach Amani hosts several camps and clinics on campus for younger players.
“I always strives towards my players becoming skillful, using both feet, and being able to play multiple positions while enjoying the beautiful game to the fullest,” he said. “I put emphasis on an attacking-minded style of play while teaching technical/tactical awareness along with good decision making.”
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School’s global diversity brings players from all across the world to the Eagles soccer program. Coach Amani said working with players from so many different backgrounds is the most rewarding experience of coaching at Rabun Gap.
In his first season, Coach Amani led the Eagles to a 15-3 record overall and 6-2 in conference play. This year, the team stands at 9-2 and is playing a much tougher schedule against some of North Carolina’s top Charlotte schools.
“We are having a great season so far,” said Coach Amani. “It is a fantastic achievement to defeat schools that have more resources, facilities, and players to their disposal. I am extremely proud of my players and hope that this season will be a historic one for the Rabun Gap Soccer Program.”
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School
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Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School is a private, coeducational day and boarding school for grades Pre-K through 12. Centrally located between Atlanta, GA, Greenville, SC, and Asheville, NC, we prepare young people for college, career, and a lifetime of leadership and service.
