DAMARI MUNDELL--
SPOTLIGHT OCTOBER COACH OF THE MONTH
Scorpions SC coaches work hard to ensure their players develop in a fun, enriching environment. October's Coach of the Month Damari Mundell exemplifies this standard well, leading his teams in MetroWest and Central to a combined 10-1-3 NECSL record.
Spotlight asked Coach Damari to tell us about his soccer history:
COACH DAMARI:
Hello! My name is Damari Mundell and I am currently the head coach of the Metrowest Girls 2014 Black, and Central Girls 2013 white Team.
I’m originally from Birmingham, England, and I’ve been playing soccer since I was about three years old. I started out with a local academy team in my area and quickly fell in love with the game—the friendships, the competition, and simply the joy of playing. In 2013, when I was around ten I moved to the United States. Adjusting to a new country and lifestyle was challenging at first, but once I found a group of friends who shared my passion for soccer, I began to feel at home again. Since moving, I’ve been based in Auburn, I played for Saint John’s High School in shrewsbury and played club soccer for FC Bolts. Later, I had the incredible opportunity to return to England for university and to play for an academy/semi-professional team. The experiences I’ve had both in the U.S. and the U.K. have shaped not only my love for the game but also my perspective as a player and coach.
I started coaching about a year after moving back in 2023, and I haven’t stopped since. Stepping into a coaching role was definitely something new for me in the beginning, and like any new journey, it came with its challenges and learning curves. Over time, though, I discovered just how rewarding it can be to help others grow both on and off the field. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to coach such amazing individuals who continuously inspire me with their energy, and unique personalities!
My 2014 group I’ve been with for the past 2 years. We are currently 4-2-1 this Fall, third place in the NECSL this season. Watching the growth and development of this team has been incredibly rewarding. It’s cool to see the progress they’ve made and how our hard work in training sessions is translating into their performances on the field. Over the course of the season, their understanding of the game has improved a lot. The concepts and elements we’ve been focusing on are really beginning to click, and it’s exciting to see the team getting stronger and more confident with each passing week.
I recently took over coaching the 2013 group this past season, and we’ve had a strong start with a current record of 6-1-0 this Fall. This is a newly formed team, and while I was initially unsure of how we would perform, especially since some of the players were still developing their understanding and structure of the game. I’ve embraced the challenge of strengthening both their tactical awareness and technical abilities, and I’ve already seen tremendous growth across the group. This is a very talented and driven team, and our goal is to continue building momentum so we can keep progressing through the NECSL flights.
Overall, I am grateful to work for a club with players that at first were just players to me, but overtime building something more than a relationship, and making soccer fun but challenging. The players that I work with, make what I do so much better! Parents being able to not only trust me but helping me out each season. My goal is to provide every player with the opportunity to work hard, challenge themselves to reach their highest potential, and, most importantly, create that lasting love for the game. This sport has given me countless opportunities throughout my life, and being able to give back to the next generation of athletes is rewarding. All three groups have had an excellent start to the season, and I look forward to seeing their continued growth and development as the year progresses.
