Indiana Elite FC President and Director of Coaching Novi Marojevic has much to celebrate. Three of the teams he has been coaching for many years are Indiana State Cup Champions two years in a row. In addition, with its growth and recent successes, the IEFC girls' program is expanding by leaps and bounds, not to mention some recent tournament wins.
Only the top ranked U13-U19 Indiana boys’ teams are selected to participate in the Indiana State Cup. Indiana Elite FC had 5 boys’ teams competing in their respective divisions for the highly distinctive State Cup on June 3.
Sealing the deal by winning the 2018 Indiana State Cup were three IEFC teams - U16, U17, and U18 boys. Ironically, all three teams won the 2017 State Cup in their divisions. The teams will advance to the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series Region II event June 22-27 in Westfield, IN. Champions from this showcase advance to the National Finals in July. Additionally, Indiana Elite FC’s U13 and U14 teams took the honors of State Cup Semi-Finalists in their divisions during the June 3 event.
“We have many talented players who are very dedicated. They put a lot of effort, commitment and discipline into every practice and every game,” said Marojevic of his players. “These players really want to move on to the next level. They have a winning mentality within themselves.”
Marojevic’s goal is simple. He sets his players up for future success, both on and off the field. “We are the right club to challenge kids and give them the best possible opportunity for college, playing at the professional level, or whatever their goal may be,” he said.
As a club, IEFC holds several distinctions including Indiana State Champions, Regional Champions, National Semi-Finalists and MRL Division Champions. Both on and off the field, Indiana Elite FC creates an environment for future leadership through its soccer and education initiatives by developing competitive teams locally and nationally, while staying true to its core values of sportsmanship, leadership, and education to its student-athletes.
Marojevic sees he has changed the lives of players in his club, and takes that role very seriously. “The kids have a great respect for one another, and they respect and look up to me as their coach and teacher.”
As IEFC President and DOC, Marojevic says his goal is to always improve the club and the teams every season. “I love challenge. I love seeing the club grow into one of the top clubs in the nation,” he said. “My biggest goal is to build our girls’ program to become as strong as our boys’ program. We can offer a lot on the girls’ side of the club with our fantastic coach, Semir Mesanovic.”
Mesanovic coaches all five of Indiana Elite FC’s girls’ teams: U8, U12, U14, U16, and U18. During a qualifying tournament in May, the U16 and U18 girls’ teams competed and advanced in the President’s Cup Semi-Finals and Finals in their divisions on June 3. Mesanovic’s U16 girls’ team finished their season as Runners-Up to the President’s Cup.
“I am really proud of our teams, our coaches, and our club,” Marojevic added. “We have come a long way. Our players are dedicated and willing to work hard, and they continue to accomplish and achieve their goals.”
He added that because of the devotion of parents, players and coaches, IEFC as a club has a winning combination. Whether it be driving players to practice several nights a week, or traveling to tournaments in other states, Marojevic says that the support of parents is an important key to IEFC’s success. “We all have to be on the same page to accomplish the goal we set for the kids,” he said. “The dedication from the parents is amazing.”
Indiana Elite FC is dedicated to challenging soccer players to achieve success on and off the field through professional-level training and educational initiatives to engage and support the whole student-athlete. With some of the top professional coaches in the area, our teams have been showcased throughout the Midwest and across the country, competing in places such as Las Vegas, Arizona, Dallas, and Florida. IEFC is 1 of two clubs in the state of Indiana participating in the National Premier League (NPL), and is affiliated with the MRL, the USL’s exclusive Super Y League, Indiana Soccer League, and the Northern Illinois Soccer League. For more information, contact info@indianaelitefc.com or call 866-825-IEFC (4332).