Olivia Parra
Staff Coach
Olivia brings four years of coaching experience to Michigan Development Academy, where she serves as head coach of the 2017 Girls Gold and 2018 Girls Black teams. Her highlight to date: leading the 2017 Girls Gold to their first-ever tournament win — a moment that reflects exactly the kind of program-building she is passionate about.
Olivia holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Detroit Mercy, where she also competed as a Division I player. Her playing background spans youth soccer with the Gators FC (now Nationals) through to semi-professional level with Corktown, giving her a deep understanding of the game from the ground up.
Her coaching philosophy is straightforward: every player should leave the field with a smile, a sense of accomplishment, and a growing love for the game. She believes MDA is a place where players and coaches grow together — and that keeping the joy of soccer at the center is what makes that growth possible.
Outside of soccer, Olivia is a passionate traveler and hiker. Her favorite adventure so far has been exploring the trails and landscapes of Iceland.