Meet The Coaches

Coach Mike joined the Soccer Shots team in March 2013. Mike  was born and raised in Atlantic County, NJ. Growing up he enjoyed playing soccer, baseball and wrestling. He is also FIFA certified and spent 10 years as a referee for recreation soccer. Mike graduated from Rutgers University in 2009, He also worked as a youth minister in New Brunswick. He is the proud father of his son named Kaiden. Coach Mike is as exciting and engaging as it gets at Soccer Shots. In his free time Mike loves to skateboard and surf and you can find him riding the waves and almost always having an epic day.

BEST ADVICE: “Relax. take a breath. Your child is in the midst of positive  play. With each session, your child will naturally become more comfortable in their new environment. Keep in mind that you, your child and your coach are all here primarily for your child to experience fun, fun and more fun. Everything else is sidelined.”

WHY DO YOU WORK FOR SOCCER SHOTS?: “I love inspiring children and helping develop character in their formative years.”

Coach Christina was born and raised in Jenkintown, PA. Christina has played soccer, softball, cross country and track, she is so grateful for all the experiences and friends made from playing these sports. Some of her favorite activities include exercising, being at the beach and vacationing with her family! She graduated from Bishop Mcdevitt high School and Montgomery County Community College. She has 2 sons Colin and Sean and she has 2 younger brothers.

BEST ADVICE:” Go out and have fun! Never give up! You can do this…. I really like how hard you are trying!”

WHY DO YOU WORK FOR SOCCER SHOTS: “I love working with children. I enjoy coaching. I have a passion to help children bring out the best in themselves.”

Coach Jess was born & raised in Howell, NJ and graduated from Monmouth University with a 5 year masters in social work and a minor in childhood studies! She has gone through the youth sports experience herself throughout a multitude of sports and for the past two years has been a soccer trainer for the youth for multiple programs at a time. Some of her favorite activities and hobbies include soccer, reading, crochet, and anything outdoor related. She enjoys to hike and exercise as well.

Best Advice or encouragement for a parent of a struggling Soccer Shots player:
These kids are too young to believe even for a second that they are incapable of
something. The best advice I can give is to stick with it and continue to provide
encouragement and praise for even the smallest of accomplishments. Let them
make mistakes and learn from them the same way an adult would

Why do you work for Soccer Shots:
I think soccer shots provides young children with the ability to learn lifelong skills.
Soccer shots introduces concepts to children that they will improve on throughout
their lives. These concepts create strong, courageous, independent people that
have confidence in themselves and their abilities. To be a part of that is honestly
such an honor to me.

Coach Allie was born in Galloway but grew up in Smithville, NJ. She attended Atlantic Cape Community College where she studied culinary arts and then participated in Walt Disneys College program! She grew up playing track & field and soccer. Some of her hobbies include exploring nature, cooking, skating, the beach, paddle boarding, tending to animals, drawing, and floating in the ocean!

Best Advice or encouragement for a parent of a struggling Soccer Shots player: Soak in their environment. Even on cloudy days, rainbows show up. The kids will have fun and grow.

Why do you work for Soccer Shots: I work for Soccer Shots because it teaches kids a fun way to learn additional social skills. I love being the reason why kids can be active!

Coach Stephanie was born and raised in Lancaster, PA. Stephanie has experience in soccer, basketball, tennis and coaching for NJTL (Tennis) for 8 years. Some of her favorite activities include running, working out, rowing, reading and going to the beach. She is a big sports fan, University of Delaware Football, Eagles, Ravens and Duke Basketball! She has her Bachelors Degree from the University of Delaware and her Masters of Education in Therapeutic Recreation from Temple University. She has a wonderful family she is very grateful for Rick (Dad) and Debbie(Mom), Emmie the dog and many wonderful Cousins, Aunts and Uncles

BEST ADVICE: ” Always Smile. Encourage your child to just have fun. They are learning social and play skills through soccer. If your child finishes the session with a smile on their face, it was a success. As long as your child tries their best and had fun, they did their job and you should be proud of them!”

WHY DO YOU WORK FOR SOCCER SHOTS?: “I would like to help promote social skills and learning through soccer. Seeing smiling faces on kiddos is the best thing in the world ! Helping children be their best and have fun is priceless.”

Coach Chelsie graduated from Crystal River, FL but has lived all over. She grew up playing soccer for 22 years she also ran track and field and played basketball in high school. Chelsie’s favorite hobbies are exercising, spending time with family and she loves Disney. She studied Elementary Education and Criminal Justice at the University of North Florida. She is a mother to Peyton and is happily married to her husband Louis.

BEST ADVICE: “Continue to encourage them to show up each week and put forth 100% effort so they will learn to love the gam. at first they may be unsure and it’s important to support them sticking the season out, they’ll learn to love it.”

WHY DO YOU WORK FOR SOCCER SHOTS?: “I love soccer and I enjoy watching children and their passion within sports.”

Irvin grew up around Margate & Atlantic City, he has been playing soccer since his youth right around these areas! Some of his side hobbies include being an avid supporter of the Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer and Cruz Azul F.C. in Liga MX.

Irving graduated from Stockton University in  2015 with a B.A. in Criminal Justice and in 2022 with an M.A. in Holocaust and Genocide Studies! His family is from Oaxaca, Mexico, but as mentioned  Irvin grew up in New Jersey with his two younger brothers, Cristian and Manny.

Best Advice or encouragement for a parent of a struggling Soccer Shots player:
Be patient and, most importantly, have fun. The best quote I have read is by legendary Dutch soccer player, Ruud Guillit “You only stop learning when you quit.”

Why do you work for Soccer Shots:
I wanted to make difference in my community. I truly believe the skills developed playing soccer can change lives and the world.