Neil Johnson

Founder of Soccer Training Academy LLC., and Coach, has been involved with playing and coaching soccer for over 40 years.

Neil’s playing experience began as a young kid in Hull, England and evolved over time. Neil played youth soccer in England from the age of 8 to 18: He was a part of Hull City School Boys team from the age of U12-U18; and a part of East Yorkshire County (State equivalent) team from the age of 14 through 18. As a youngster, Neil was invited to train with several English Premier League clubs which included Arsenal, Ipswich Town, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Hull City. At the age of 18, Neil left his English home to attend Lock Haven University, PA in the United States to study Biology-Chemistry and play soccer for their varsity team. Upon graduation from LHU in 1983, Neil returned to England and played semi-professional soccer in the Northern Premier League for Goole Town Football Club. As a player, Neil’s primary position on the field was attacking midfield and/or central striker.

At Lock Haven University, Neil was a contributing member of the LHU Men’s Soccer team who reached the NCAA Final 4 in both 1979 and 1980 and were crowned National Champions 1980. In the 1980 National semi-final, Neil scored the winning goal in the 1-0 victory over Chico State University, CA. In the 1980 National Championship game, Neil delivered the assist on the over-time game-winning-goal in LHU’s 1-0 victory against Florida International University, FL.

See Neil's goal in semi-final.                         See Neil's assist in the final.

Neil’s coaching experience began in the late 1980’s, after he hung up his cleats and began to focus on teaching the game to his own children, and the teams they played on. Since 1998, Neil has held the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) 'A' Coaching License. Over the past 20 years, Neil has coached both girls and boys teams from Under-6 through Under-18, and at all levels, i.e. Travel, Premiere, Olympic Development Program, High School and College.

At the College level, Neil currently holds the position of Head Coach of the Women’s Soccer Program at Gwynedd-Mercy College. In his first season (2007) at the helm of the Women’s Soccer Program, he led The Griffins to their eighth consecutive post-season conference appearance. In his second season (2008), he led The Griffins to the Conference Final for only the 3rd time in school history. With the help of a strong coaching staff, Neil reversed a loosing record of 4-11-4 in 2007 to a winning record of 11-10-0 in 2008. In 2009, he led The Griffins to 10-10-0 season record reaching the Conference Semi-Finals. Neil’s 3 year record is now 25-31-4 .

At the High School level, Neil is currently the Head Coach of the Girls Soccer Program at North Penn High School. In just five seasons at North Penn, Neil has guided the Girl's team to the District playoffs in each season while capturing Division Conference Championships in 2006 and 2007. He owns a career 86-42-6 record, which includes a District runner-up finish and State semi-finalists in 2007. Reaching both the District final and State playoffs in 2007 was the first time in North Penn’s School history.

At the Olympic Developmental Program level, Neil assumed both Head Coaching and Assistant Coaching positions from 1999 to 2002 within the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association (EPYSA). Neil coached the Girls teams at both the U-14 and U-16 age group. Many of the players Neil coached went on to play at the Division I Colleges and Universities such as Penn State University, Princeton, Notre Dame, Seton Hall, West Virginia University, Connecticut, University of New Hampshire and several other Division II and III Colleges and Universities.

At the Club level, Neil coaches and has coached several youth teams during the past 20 years, they include: Current team, Montgomery United Soccer Club Black Storm U15 Girls (State Champions 2007; State Finalists 2008; as of December 2009 #1 Rank in Eastern PA). Previous teams: Montgomery United Soccer Club U9-U13 Boys (State Cup Semi-finalists); premiere; Deep Run U14-U17 Boys (State Cup Quarter-finalists); Upper Bucks Select U11-U13 Girls (State Select Champions); Ukrainian Nationals U14-U18 Girls (State Cup Semi-finalists).

Neil graduated from Lock Haven University (LHU) with a B.S. in Biology-Chemistry in 1983.

Neil resides in North Wales with his wife Aleta, who he met at LHU. The Johnson's have two children: Laura who graduated from Montclair State University (May 2007), and Stuart who is currently a student at Widener University. Both children played varsity soccer in college.

Jonathan Rhodes

Soccer Training Academy Coach, has been involved with playing and coaching soccer for approximately 20 years.

Jonathan’s playing experience also began as a young kid in Halifax, England and evolved over time. Jonathan played youth soccer for Halifax Town AFC School of Excellence from the age of 12 to 17, also representing West Yorkshire county FA (State equivalent) from 15 to 17 where West Yorkshire reached the North England schoolboys final in 1998. Jonathan attended Harrogate College and played soccer for their varsity team (99’-01’) captaining the side in 2000 and 2001 seasons. Upon graduation from Harrogate College, Jonathan played semi-professional soccer in the Northern Premier League for Guiseley Athletic Football Club. As a player, Jonathan’s primary position on the field was defending full-back.

At Harrogate College, Jonathan was a contributing member of the Men’s Soccer team who reached the College Cup final and were crowned National Champions 1999.

Jonathan’s coaching experience began in the late 1990’s, at Leeds United Soccer Academy. In 2002, Jonathan left England to coach soccer in America. His first coaching position was working for the United Soccer Academy in Media, PA, where he served primarily as coaching Director. Since 2006, he has coached the highly successful U14 Girls Concord, DE Soccer Association team. In 2008, his Concord girls’ team was Delaware State Champions. At the College level, Jonathan currently holds the position of Assistant Coach of the Women’s Soccer Program at Gwynedd-Mercy College.

Jonathan holds the NSCAA National Premier Diploma, is USSF licensed, and has the English Football Association Coaching Certificate.

Jonathan resides in Norristown with his wife Rebekah. The Rhode's have two daughters, Elisabeth and Ana Catherine.