Meet The Coaches

Coach Kelly is a recent graduate from West Chester University with a degree in marketing. While in college, she worked at a gym daycare and volunteered with multiple non-profits. Coach Kelly enjoys spending time with her family and friends down the shore in her free time. In addition to coaching, Kelly is our operations coordinator. She will assist our operations manager in overall administrative duties along with providing coaches the materials they need for a successful season.

James Gush of Southend, England, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Program Director position. As Director of Business Development for both Delaware and Montgomery County, PA James is involved in various capacities of the business. James leads the sales marketing of Soccer Shots throughout both counties, as well as coaching and managing various Soccer Shots school based locations. James has previously worked as an area manager of Marketing and Promotions Soccer company and a Director of a soccer and sports based organization. James has worked with an array of age groups from 18-months to 18-years and has worked closely with youth soccer players from clubs on the east coast. James also oversaw the development of a soccer club as the Director of Coaching. James is also the former Varsity Boys Head Coach at a Private High School In Philadelphia. James has worked within the soccer industry for a number of years obtaining licenses by the English FA and NSCAA.

Coach Marina brings enthusiasm for empowering others and organizing information to the Program Director position. She grew up playing soccer for Greater Chester Valley and Rose Tree Media. Marina fell in love with coaching youth soccer by the time she graduated high school. She has a degree in Economics and Environmental Studies from Dickinson College. Marina enjoys teaching fundamental soccer skills and bringing out the best in young players. She hopes to develop the Coaching Department and help grow the positive impact that the program has in the community.

Coach Rock is a Director at Soccer Shots and graduated from Swarthmore College with degrees in Political Science and Education back in 2017. While pursuing his undergraduate degree, he coached in Chester PA for Soccer for Success and Chester City United. He is a Coca-Cola National Scholar and Swarthmore Phillip Evan’s Scholar! Coach Rock enjoys traveling in his free time and has even lived in Brazil. Rock specializes in HR, with expertise in recruiting and retaining great coaches.

Coach Michele has been playing soccer since the age of four, and was a captain of Abington High School’s varsity team. Her favorite team is ACF Fiorentina, from Florence, Italy. She has a background in psychology, and is a big fan of sports as a way to build life skills! When she’s not coaching, Michele writes and performs stand up comedy around Philadelphia.

FUN FACTS:

Favorite Position: Right Midfield

Favorite Soccer Shots Game: Volcanoes Game!

Fun Fact: Michele has played the viola at Carnegie Hall.

Coach Patricia is fondly known as “Coach P”. Her motto is “Kids MUST have fun”. When she is on the field with her soccer shots kids, one wonders who is having more fun- the kids or the coach! Coach P loves kids and loves soccer. “Coaching kids in soccer is the best of both worlds and the elixir of youth” she says. When Coach P is not on the field coaching soccer, she is at a soccer field somewhere cheering-on her children as they play soccer.

FUN FACT: Coach P loves music, dancing and good food!

Coach Liz started playing soccer at the age of 5 for Haverford Township. She also played field hockey, since field hockey and soccer are during the same season she picked to play field hockey competitively. From there, she played pick up soccer in college and then at YSC in the coed soccer league. When she is not busy playing soccer, softball, or field hockey, she is busy teaching in the classroom. Hopefully one day, she will be able to coach soccer as an after-school club at the elementary level.

FUN FACTS:

Favorite Position: Defense

Fun Fact: Coach Liz loves Belle from Beauty and the Beast

Coach Ashley grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada and moved to PA when she was 10 years old. She is currently majoring in Early Childhood and Special Education at Bryn Athyn College. At the age of 7, Coach Ashley fell in love with soccer and continues to play for her college team. When she’s not coaching future soccer stars, she enjoys playing soccer and fishing!

FUN FACTS:

Favorite Soccer Shots Game: The Volcano Game

Favorite Position to Play: Midfield

Fun Fact: Coach Ashley has a YouTube channel and enjoys filming videos to make people smile and laugh!

Coach Lauren has been playing soccer since the age of 5 for Harleysville and Towamencin soccer leagues. She would still love to play today but education is very important to her. She is currently enrolled at West Chester University and is finishing her degree in early education with a minor is special needs as well. Coach Lauren loves to teach children and watch them grow as individuals.

FUN FACTS:

Favorite Position: Striker

Favorite Soccer Game: Treasure Hunt

Fun Fact: Coach Lauren enjoys baking and cooking in her spare time. She also enjoys going down to Wildwood NJ with her family.

Coach Caila grew up right outside the city, in Roxborough PA with a love for soccer! She is currently a student at Temple University studying Health Profession and Kinesiology. One day, she hopes to become a physical therapist for children! If she’s not on Soccer Island, you can catch her doing CrossFit or playing club soccer for her University!

FUN FACTS:

Favorite Soccer Shots Game: Sleepy Lion

Favorite Position to Play: Forward

Fun Fact: Coach Caila is 100% Puerto Rican!

Matt is a United States Marine Corps veteran who served 10 years in the service. A sports related injury took Matt out of the game he loved playing so Matt turned to coaching to ensure his passion for the game is passed on to other athletes. Matt recently completed his Master of Science degree in Recreation and Sports Science with a concentration in Soccer Coaching and has started his Doctoral of Education degree in Sports and Performance Psychology with a concentration Positive Leadership and Administration in January 2017. Matt has been coaching or teaching youth athletes for the past 6 years at many different ages. Matt always strives to put the person before the player and brings a scientific approach to player development. In addition to coaching, Matt will be helping evaluate current coaches to make sure we’re delivering the best as well as helping train new coaches!

FUN FACTS:

Favorite Position: Right Fullback

Favorite Soccer Shots Game: “What Time is it Mr. Fox”

Fun Fact: Coach Matt sang in his high school choir!

Coach Ben is from Harleysville where he was born and raised. He started playing soccer there when he was 6 years old. He has tried out many different sports including: Karate, baseball, track and field, and fencing. Ben is currently a student at Montgomery County Community College where he is studying psychology. When Coach Ben isn’t at school or coaching Soccer Shots stars, he enjoys playing the ukulele and guitar and also fences!

FUN FACTS:

Favorite Soccer Shots Game: Sleepy Animals

Fun Fact: Coach Ben played violin in his high schools ensemble!

Coach Noah grew up in Stockton, New Jersey and fell in love with soccer at 5 years old. He played in middle school through high school and continued on to play club at Ithaca College. Noah has played competitively for many years and you can still find him playing in many adult leagues in the area.

FUN FACTS:

Favorite Position: Midfield

Favorite Soccer Shots Game: Dribble gates. It teaches honesty and improves their dribbling and change of direction skills.

Fun Fact: Noah has a twin sister!

Coach Giancarlo (Coach G) grew up in New Milford, New Jersey as the oldest of 3 boys.  He is currently a Junior at Cabrini University majoring in Marketing. Soccer has been his passion since the young age of 5. He is happy to be able to postively affect young lives through doing something that he loves to do. Coach G is very fortunate to have found such a great company that allows him to pass on his knowledge and enthusiasm of the game. When Coach G isn’t on Soccer Island, he enjoys playing soccer himself and watching his favorite team play – Real Madrid!

FUN FACTS:

Favorite Position: Defense

Favorite Soccer Shots Game: Volcanoes

Fun Fact: He once played against Chad Ochocinco in a online FIFA match and lost.

Coach Emily grew up in Havertown and started playing sports when she was 5 years old.  She has played tennis, ran track & field, kickboxed, played softball and of course soccer! While studying Kinesiology and Spanish at Temple University, Coach Emily spent her free time playing softball for school and was also the president of the team! After graduating college, Emily lived in Spain for a year teaching English and had the chance to travel around Europe on her days off!

FUN FACTS:

Favorite Soccer Position: Right Defender

Favorite Soccer Shots Game: Racecars!

Fun Fact: Real Madrid is Coach Emily’s favorite soccer team!

Coach Tom has been around soccer most of his life. His grandfather, who played professionally introduced him to the game! He has coached with King Of Prussia Soccer Club for over 25 years and was the director of their intramural program! When he’s not coaching for Soccer Shots, he referees children of all ages and even adult leagues!

FUN FACTS:

Favorite Position: Defense

Favorite Soccer Shots Game: Shark and Minnows

Fun Fact: His favorite professional soccer team is Liverpool!