WHAT YOU WON'T FIND ELSEWHERE
MOBA Soccer Academy, Est. in 2015, is built from a passion for the sport and a drive to offer the best quality soccer development. We do this by hiring highly qualified and licensed coaches with a great depth of experience and connections to the higher levels of soccer locally, nationally, and internationally. For our coaches, this is their career, not a hobby, and they hold some of the highest and most regarded licenses and accreditations in soccer in addition to a robust Sports Science Department.
STAFF
VOLKER HARMS
Owner
Volker, born and raised in Germany, joined the family business, held a variety of positions in different countries, and in 2003 became President and CEO of MOBA, a worldwide leading supplier of electronics equipment for the construction and waste industry. Volker has played soccer throughout his life and still to this day. Highlights of his soccer career have been playing in the third highest soccer league in Germany, with clubs like Borea Dresden, Limburg 19 and Viktoria Kelsterbach. His coaching experience includes Youth from U7-U19 and Adult Teams including USL2.
EDUCATION/LICENSES
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MBA degree from Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
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DFB B-License
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Various US Licenses
NICK FEVELLA
Facilities Manager
Nick oversees the state-of-art facilities and many core operations. He also coaches our new MOBA Minis and Pre-Academy Program for players ages 4-8.
KATHY PHALEN
Event and Community Outreach Manager
Kathy is responsible for MOBA’s Community Outreach Program and Social Events. Her goal is to bring families together in friendship, to nurture a true club belonging, and to give back to the local community on behalf of MOBA.
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She has supported the local community with a variety of events and programs at MOBA. She assists parents (within the MOBA youth program), staff of MOBA Soccer and in particular charities and schools, managing MOBA's monetary donations and volunteer hours with these organizations.
DIRECTORS
JOSHUA VILLALOBOS, PHD
Director of Sports Science / Girls Director
Joshua directs MOBA's sports science program in addition to coaching. He is also the owner of Synergy Athletic Solutions, where he trains aspiring pro-athletes. Joshua has more than 10 years of extensive coaching experience and has coached at different levels and clubs. He has been playing soccer since the age of 12. He played for the U17 Youth National Team and became a member of the residency program in Bradenton, Florida. Joshua played at Furman University and on an international level for the U23 Puerto Rican and Men's National Team during Olympic and World Cup qualifying Campaigns.
EDUCATION/LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS
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Bachelors in Exercise Science, Furman University
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Masters in Exercise Science, Georgia State University (Concentration: Exercise Physiology)
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PhD in Kinesiology (ongoing), Georgia State University
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USSF and United Soccer Coaches certified
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National Strength Conditioning Association Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist
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Barcelona FC Innovation Training for Team Sports
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Barcelona FC Innovation Advanced Sport Nutrition
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United Soccer Coaches Maximizing Player Performance Using Technology and Science
BRIAN WILSON
Boys Director
Brian leads MOBA's boy's program and has more than 10 years of coaching experience on the youth and high school level, varying from ages 9 to 19. He was the Head Coach for Glory United Football Club, Assistant Staff Coach Georgia ODP, and Boys Varsity Head Coach for Community Christian School, winning five state championships. Brian was the Head Coach for AFC Lightning DA teams before joining MOBA Soccer Academy in 2017. Brian travels internationally as a soccer player and coach, believing in life-long learning and coaching education. He has experience with teams such as St. Pauli FC, Universidad de San Jose, and Miami’s USL Team Tango. Brian made Atlanta’s professional team, Atlanta Ruckus in 1998 and is an alumnus athlete from the University of South Carolina.
EDUCATION/LICENSES
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​University of South Carolina
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USSF A
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USSF A-Youth
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UEFA A
COACHES
MOBA Soccer Academy is built to deliver to highest quality coaching and player development that will not be found in most clubs. The difference is easy to see. Every program is built on a core curriculum that is designed for each age group, coached by fully-licensed and accredited coaches. We then take it the next step further and incorporate a robust Sports Science department that allows for every player to be evaluated and train to reach their individual goals.
The coaching, sports science, and opportunity is all housed in a world-class facility that plays host to major sporting events and tournaments.
BRIAN BENOIT
Assistant Coach
Brian oversees the T Academy program at MOBA as well as coaching. Prior to joining MOBA, he coached the women's club soccer team at the University of Georgia for 12 years.
He is originally from Salem, Massachusetts. As a defender, he was an All-Greater Boston selection at Bishop Fenwick High School and then All Lakes Region at Brewster Academy. He received multiple offers to play college soccer, however, he chose to play college hockey and baseball at Salve Regina University instead. After college, he worked as a golf professional at the Salem Country Club before coming to Georgia to attend graduate school at UGA.
EDUCATION/LICENSES
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Salve Regina University (undergraduate)
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University of Georgia (Master's)
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USSF D license
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NSCAA/USC Advanced National license
MIAH HIPP
Assistant Coach
Originally from the Peachtree City area, Miah has played for all the local club teams and Starr's Mill High School. She has more than ten years of coaching and private training experience including Concorde Fire, Nasa Tophat and the Atlanta United Youth Program. Coach Miah currently is on the Georgia ODP staff with a 2009 girls team. She played for fun while in college and currently plays for GAWSA (Georgia Women Soccer Association) and a competitive coed league at the Silverbacks.
EDUCATION
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Savannah College of Art and Design
MATT MUIA
Assistant Coach
Matt is from Athens, Georgia and was a member of the University of Georgia women's soccer coaching staff for 4 years (2017-2021). Having previously served as the interim head coach for the women’s team at Southeastern Louisiana during the 2016 season and assistant coach during the 2015 season, the Lions were crowned Southland Conference Champions and advanced to the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Coach Muia previously served as a volunteer coach from 2013-2015 and 2017, at Florida Atlantic University. He was a volunteer assistant coach at the University of North Georgia in 2008 and 2009. He also has coaching experience at multiple clubs and has coached from U7 to U19 age groups. He is currently working with the US Soccer Federation Youth and Extended National Teams with Equipment Operations.
EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS
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University of Georgia, Master’s degree in Sports Management
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University of North Georgia, Bachelor's degree in Physical Education
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USSF National C License
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USC (NSCAA) National Goalkeeping Diploma (Level 3)
BRIAN LUKASIEWICZ
Assistant Coach
Brian started coaching at Athens United Soccer Association from 2006-2022 where he served as Academy Director, Assistant Director of Coaches and Recreational Director. He was the first coach to win a State Cup for the club in 2021. Coach Brian was an Assistant Coach at Emmanuel College from 2009-2011, for both the Men's and Women's soccer teams. He has been a part of the Georgia Olympic Development Program since 2018. Coach Brian also oversaw the Northeast Georgia ODP Regional Identification Center from 2021-2022. He was the Head Coach for Cedar Shoals High School boys' team from 2017-2021. During that time, the team made two playoff appearances and received their first top 10 state ranking in 20 years. Coach Brian was named Georgia Soccer Girls Coach of the Year in 2020.
MEGAN SAVAGE
Assistant Coach
Megan is a native of Peachtree City, where she grew up playing soccer from an early age. She started club ball at AFC Lightning followed by Tophat Soccer. She was a four-year starter at McIntosh High School where she helped lead her team to the only undefeated season MHS women’s soccer has ever had. Following high school, she continued her career playing Division 1 soccer at the College of Charleston. Upon graduation, she returned to Atlanta where she received her Masters in education from Georgia State. She began her coaching career at Tucker Youth Soccer Association (TYSA) while also teaching full time for DeKalb County. In addition, she coached at Lakeside High School where she stayed until her children were born. Most recently she coached at her Alma Mater and Inter Atlanta FC. She resides in Peachtree City with her family and three giant fur babies (Harley, Lady and Bruce). She is looking forward to developing MOBA’s soccer program and is excited to be a part of the coaching staff.
EDUCATION
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College of Charleston
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Masters Education, Georgia State College
WARREN VAN DER WESTHUIZEN
Assistant Coach
Warren brings a wealth of coaching expertise to MOBA and his credentials exemplify his commitment to coaching excellence.
Formerly the Director of the Soccer for Success program for the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta, Coach Warren's influence spans nationally as part of the US Soccer Foundation National Training Team and Region III Staff Georgia Soccer. He's also been a pivotal figure in Georgia ODP Staff. Founder of the United Goalkeeper Academy and owner of All In Sports, his dedication extends to nurturing talent and holistic athlete development. His coaching journey includes significant roles as Goalkeeper Coach for the Atlanta Silverbacks in both the Pro Men's A League and the Pro USL Women's League and contributions to the West Michigan Edge in the Premier Development League as an Assistant Coach and Goalkeeper Coach.