Teachers

AKKA Soccer Teachers are players, fans, and devoted students of the greatest game in the world. We constantly seek out opportunities to study through playing, coaching and networking with some of the most respected names in the game. Our wide range of experiences from collegiate, amateur, national team, and professional levels, to our various accreditations and honors contribute to our blueprint which is based on an amalgamation of world soccer. By combining the elements of unstructured street soccer, creativeness, skillfulness, self- reliance, with the beauty of organized traditional outdoor soccer, tactical awareness, physical ability, teamwork, AKKA Soccer players become more wholly capable in all areas of the game. This approach is delivered by coaches who engage young players with skillful demonstrations, applicable activities that recreate match situations, and a palpable love for the game with the commitment to sharing that passion with everyone they encounter.

	"Everything I know about football I learned on the street. My friends and I were always trying to think up a new feint. If anyone invented something new, they had to show it to the others. That is what street football is all about." - Zinedine Zidane John Jenks: Former UConn and Liberty University player, professional player with the NJ Stallions and key member of the AKKA men’s futsal team. Instantly recognizable on the ﬁeld because of his highly reﬁned skill level, his ability and love for soccer has led him to gain playing experience abroad in Bolivia and Italy, as well as time spent studying in Spain and Brazil. His talent on the ﬁeld as a player is only rivaled by his ability to communicate and teach the game which has led to many petitions over the years for his assistance with nationally respected youth teams, high school and collegiate programs. Never resting on his accomplishments, John’s desire to learn and improve continues to inspire all with whom he comes in contact with on and off of the ﬁeld.
	"Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do." - Pele Paul Tanimae: Former Rowan University player, and member of the AKKA Men’s Futsal team that has competed successfully in state, regional and national tournaments. After time spent teaching in the inner city of Philadelphia and in special education for children with emotional disorders, Paul answered his life’s calling of teaching soccer as a career. As a teacher, motivated, dynamic, and patient, as a player, committed, creative, and tenacious, these attributes coupled with a devotion to study the game at all levels domestically and abroad contribute towards an ability to inspire and guide players from the grassroots to college and beyond. Additionally he is a state instructor for NJYS coaching schools, assists the Mercer County Community College Men’s Soccer program and serves in the Mooch Soccer Foundation.
	"Football is simple. But the hardest thing is to play football in a simple way." - Johan Cruyff Travis Myernick: Former four year Colorado ODP and Wingate University player. His experience growing up under the tutelage of his father, former MLS Colorado Rapids Head Coach, and US Men’s National team assistant coach Glenn “Mooch” Myernick, has given Travis an education in the game as a player and coach that few can claim or ﬁnd in a lifetime of soccer. Travis possesses a uniquely natural coaching style and intelligence that can pinpoint a breakdown in the game and communicate it in a fraction of the verbosity of other coaches so that a player of any level can understand and improve. He not only lends his quality to AKKA but also continues to honor his father’s legacy by coaching with the Mooch Soccer Foundation.
	"There has to be thought behind every touch of the ball." - Dennis Bergkamp Brian Rostron: Former NJ ODP, Regional Team,TCNJ four year starter, and member of the AKKA Men’s Futsal Team. Brian is the guy who’s simplicity of play makes everything easier for his teammates. Possessing a tremendous game intellect to read, analyze, and effectively execute a response to any situation on the ﬁeld, it is this same keen faculty which enables him to teach the game to all level of players. When he’s not in the classroom teaching in special education you can ﬁnd Brian teaching on a soccer ﬁeld, highly sought after he coaches with NJ ODP, Region 1, assists the Mercer County Community College Men’s Soccer program and serves in the Mooch Soccer Foundation.
	"If you make football too important you deprive it of its beauty. Africans play pure street football. Football is a game of fun!" - Kanu Hayden Woodworth:Messiah College, 2 time All American, 2 time National Champion, Division III Player of the Year, starter for Charlotte Eagles USL A-League, and 5th round draft choice for MLS DC United. Itʼs hard to ﬁnd a player with better domestic credentials than that, and itʼs even harder to ﬁnd a player with equal ability to teach the game. In true AKKA fashion heʼs a self-taught player for the majority of his youth, never having tried out for a select, ODP, or any other program. Hayden spent day after day experimenting at home with the ball, playing with his brothers, friends and local home town team. As down to earth, humble, and passionate to teach the game as they come. Youʼd never know from meeting Hayden that he has enjoyed so much success because that is not important to him, all he cares about is sharing his knowledge and love for the game with eager students.

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