| Gareth O'Sullivan Executive Director
Coach Gareth came to TYSA in the Fall of 2012 as the Rec Director and took over as the Club Executive Director for Triumph Youth Soccer Association in January 2017. He joins TYSA after spending 2016 as National Director for the Copa Team with Adidas.
A native of Ballina, Ireland, Coach Gareth was the head coach of the Clayton State Women's Soccer team from 2011-2016. Prior to that, he served as the head coach of the Atlanta Beat of the WPS (Women’s Professional Soccer) in 2009 and 2010. read more |
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| Chris Hambie Academy Girls Director PRIVATE TRAINING AVAILABLE
Soccer has always been an important aspect of Coach Hambie’s life, where he acquired many skills through training and coaching. He earned his USSF “B” National License and has applied USSF’s curriculum when managing soccer programs at the collegiate, club and high school soccer levels. Coach Hambie competed in soccer at the military level playing for the United States Air Force Team, and the United States Air Force Team in Europe read more |
| Richard Bennett Academy Boys Director
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Rich moved to Atlanta with his family in 1978. His playing career started with DYSA, ASA and TYSA soccer clubs. Coach Rich played soccer at Clarkston High School and then earned a scholarship to play at Berry College in Rome GA. After college he continued to play in the Georgia Amateur league (ADSL Div 1) with Genesis SC and in the Caribbean Soccer League with Islanders FC. read more |
| Anja Djumisic Academy Jr Girls Director PRIVATE TRAINING AVAILABLE
Anja grew up playing at TYSA. She earned a scholarship and went on to play at Charleston Southern and continued playing WPSL in Atlanta after college. Anja returned to TYSA and has been coaching since here for the last 5 years! |
| Ben Smith Academy Jr Boys Director
Ben has been playing soccer his entire life. He came up through the TYSA youth soccer program, playing for a variety of excellent coaches at the top level on a travel team. He stayed with TYSA through his teenage years, while also playing for the Georgia Select program and the Olympic Development Program. Ben played soccer at Lakeside High School in Atlanta, GA, graduating in 1997 with a Georgia State Championship. He captained the 1997 Georgia State Championship team and the Georgia All-State team. read more |
| Rob King Director of College Services
As a head college coach at the NCAA I, NCAA II, NCAA III, NAIA and NJCAA levels, Rob has recruited and mentored both male and female student-athletes at every level of college soccer. The 2003 NCAA II women’s national championship for Kennesaw State Univ. (GA) and a men’s national championship at Martin Methodist College (TN), stand as beacons in a college coaching career that included recognition as the 2003 NSCAA/Adidas NCAA II National Coach of the Year. While the conference titles and national championships were notable; it’s the relationships, experiences and memories forged with players throughout this college soccer journey that are priceless. |
| Erin Sanders Tiny Tykes Director
Erin has been a part of TYSA since 2006 when she started as a U8 Recreational player. She advanced to the Academy and Select programs where she played through U19. Erin worked as a referee for a few years, as well as a coach for various age groups. Over the years, she has also volunteered at TYSA in many capacities alongside her family. Erin is a full-time graduate student at the University of Georgia, and enjoys being able to spend her evenings and weekends outside on the soccer field. |
| Hong Chin Tiny Tykes Director
Coach Hong began his playing career with many clubs around Atlanta, including DDY, ASA Wolves and Concorde. He played on the Nike travel team and ODP team. He played for Lakeside High School all four years.He was granted a full soccer scholarship to play at Brewton-Parker College in Mount Vernon, Georgia. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Social Science and is currently a Social Studies teacher at Tucker Middle School. Hong has 22+ years of various coaching experience. read more |
| Ross Henderson Coach / Select Boys
Coach Ross began his playing career with many clubs in England. He played and captained at Lincoln College, making it to the final 8 of the National College Cup. He was granted a soccer scholarship to play at Erskine College, South Carolina. During his sophomore year, Erskine won the first NCAA conference title. He then went on to captain Erskine in his junior and senior years. During the summers, Ross played in the NPSL and PDL for Myrtle Beach Mutiny. read more |
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| Ludvig Rhodin Goalkeeper Director PRIVATE TRAINING AVAILABLE
A native from Höganäs, Sweden, Ludvig has a long background in Soccer, both coaching and playing. Recently Ludvig came from Davis & Elkins College where he was the Men's assistant coach for the NCAA DII team who made it to the Sweet 16 in the National Tournament. Prior to Davis & Elkins, Ludvig served on the Western Illinois University (NCAA DI) staff as an assistant coach for both men's and women's. His coaching career started at University of The Incarnate Word, San Antonio (NCAA DI) where he was the volunteer read more |
| Alex Cruz Coach / Academy Boys
Coach Alex grew up playing for Concorde Fire Academy and Select teams his U11-U18 years. He later played at the National League level with Georgia Alliance becoming part of the best starting XI in the southeastern region for the 2020 year. Alex went on to play at the collegiate level with the Georgia Gwinnett Grizzly's where he then decided to turn his attention to coaching. He's been doing private training with Fenomeno Footy as well as coaching for over 2 years now and is very glad to finally be a part of the TYSA team!
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| Billy Galligan Coach / Academy Girls
Originally from Dublin, Ireland, Coach Galligan moved here in 2015. He is married with 3 children who all play in TYSA. Coach Galligan started coaching in 2017 and recently completed his US Soccer Coaching D License. He played soccer at home in Ireland at a reasonably high level until a broken leg ended his career. He played in the TYSA adult league until last year when 3 separate injuries to his knee ended his playing days. He is now concentrated on coaching and passing on his passion and love of the game to the next generation. |
| Stephen Gathany Coach / Academy Jr Boys
Stephen grew up playing both high school and club soccer. After graduating from Decatur High School, he played four years at Berry College. Many of Stephen's college teammates were international players who taught him the importance of having a professional approach and attitude toward the game. After graduating, he began his coaching career at Georgia State University. After a stint with the Nashville Metros, Stephen returned to Decatur HS to coach read more |
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| Cameron Heyen Coach / Academy Jr & Academy Boys
Coach Cameron Heyen grew up playing soccer at TYSA and Tucker High School. After high school, Coach Heyen played soccer for The University of Georgia Men’s Club Soccer Team while obtaining his Bachelors’ degree. Coach Heyen returned to Atlanta and attended Mercer University for his Masters’ degree, while coaching at The Davis Academy and Santos Club. For the past 5 years, Coach Heyen has been coaching at TYSA and the Tucker High School Varsity Boys Team. Coach Heyen has 15 years of soccer coaching experience. |
| Nene Kisseih Coach / Academy Girls
Originally from Ghana, Coach Nene grew up playing soccer in the Atlanta area where he graduated from Tucker High School. Soccer led him to both Presbyterian College and King University, graduating with a B.A. in Behavioral Science. Nene spent time with The Charlotte Eagles and The Atlanta Sliverbacks reserves, along with coaching stints with Ralph Lundy and Providence Christian Academy. "I genuinely enjoy sharing this game we love with these wonderful girls I coach all while serving in my community". |
| Isabel Massa Coach / Academy Boys
Isabel is an international student-athlete from Venezuela. She has competed extensively at the club level, playing for Caracas Futbol Club for three years and Deportivo La Guaira for one, as well as for California Rush. She played for the U-17 Venezuelan National Team. She played for Clayton State University, where they were runner-ups of the Peachbelt Conference Tournament. Isabel coached tykes in Venezuela before coming to TYSA’s Tiny Tykes program. She has worked as a TYSA camp coach and several recreational soccer camps with Caracas FC in Venezuela. |
| Emily Ober Coach / Academy & Select Girls
Coach Emily got into coaching soccer after playing four seasons at NCAA DII school, Young Harris College. The two-year captain played in 62 matches, scored 19 goals and assisted 6. She is 2nd in the all-time YHC record books for game-winning goals, 3rd in points, 4th in goals, and tied for 4th in assists. While competing at YHC, Emily also played semi-professional soccer in the WPSL for Peachtree City MOBA and Orlando Kicks. After playing and earning her Bachelor's degree in Communication with a minor in Sports Studies, Coach Emily went on to be a graduate assistant at NCAA DI school University of Louisiana Monroe. |
| Taylor Pollock Coach / Academy Girls
Taylor originally hails from Denver, Colorado. She is currently studying Psychology and playing soccer under Coach Ross Henderson at Clayton State University. Taylor has been coaching at TYSA, working with the Academy Girls program, since 2020.
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| Alex Prato Coach / Academy Boys PRIVATE TRAINING AVAILABLE The height of Alex's playing career came when he played for the first team in the second division of the Venezuelan Professional Soccer League. Prior to that, he played in the Under-20 Venezuelan golden series for Universidad Central de Venezuela FC (UCV FC) for two years. While playing professionally, Alex began coaching youth soccer in Venezuela. After finishing his playing career, Alex completed his degree in accounting and began working for Ernst & Young Venezuela. Alex also competed in trail running competitions throughout Venezuela, winning several races. He began working with TYSA in 2017. |
| Allan Waters Coach / Academy & Select Boys PRIVATE TRAINING AVAILABLE Allan Waters has been playing soccer his entire life, and coaching soccer since 2008. He currently holds a National D USSF coaching license. As a kid he played at TYSA and RYSA as well as for Lakeside High School. He also was a starter for the Georgia ODP team and a regional alternate before a back injury caused him to halt his playing career. He began his coaching career at Dunwoody High School for a few years before helping start a "stepping stone" academy program at Dunwoody United Methodist Church. After that he returned to TYSA to work with the Academy program. He has also been a personal trainer since 2013 and specializes in youth training. |
| Dembakwi "Boxi" Yomba Coach / Academy Jr, Academy and Select
Coach Boxi Started his soccer journey at TYSA almost 20 years ago as a member of the rec program. He's gone on to have a 9 year professional career playing for clubs such as Atletico Madrid and the San Jose Earthquakes. He was featured heavily for the US Youth National teams during his youth career. He has found his passion in assisting local players to reach the heights they set.
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