Coach Kuko, also known as Refugio Juarez, has been chosen as the Arizona Sports Coach of the Month for April due to his exceptional coaching skills and dedication to the soccer players of La Academia FC in Mesa. Despite working a labor-intensive landscaping job during the day, Coach Kuko consistently attends the club’s practices three nights a week to train the 2013 boys soccer team. He is described as always being in a positive mood, treating the players like his own children, and displaying significant patience and guidance to help them improve with each practice.
Coach Kuko’s leadership has led to great success for the team in various tournaments, including winning the 2023 Arizona Soccer Club Heritage Cup and the 2024 East Valley Spring Invitational. Despite facing tough competition, Coach Kuko prioritizes playing as a team and fostering improvement over winning. He ensures that every player, regardless of gender, receives equal playing time and has created a supportive environment that has led to the team’s victories in close matches.
One parent shared a testimonial about how Coach Kuko’s coaching transformed their daughter from a beginner unable to pass a soccer ball to a competitive player who has exceeded expectations. This story is reflective of Coach Kuko’s ability to bring out the best in each player on the team, instilling confidence and helping them reach their full potential. His leadership style, focused on teamwork and individual growth, has had a profound impact on all the players, making him a deserving recipient of the Coach of the Month award.
