Coaches

Ashley Nesbit

As a youth, Nesbit played for his hometown academy in England, Newcastle United FC. Later he moved onto a number of semi-professional clubs with a few high points along the way, including being called up to the Fijian under-20 national squad and trying out for San Jose Earthquake and LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer. Due to a persistent knee injury, his playing career was cut short. He has been coaching for the last 22 years with 15 of them in America.


Career Highlights / Professional Accolades


• USSF F,E,D,C and National B License

• Raymond Verheijen, World Football Academy - Football Braining

• Benfica Academy Youth Development Model

• U13 PDA US Club Champions 2021/22

• U17 PDA Splash ECNL Showcase Champions, Seattle Playoffs 2017-18

• U13 PDA Strikers ECNL Northeast Conference Champions 2017-18

• July 2015 had a player signed by a professional Brazilian academy

• August 2015 sent a player on trial with a professional soccer team in England (Charlton

Athletic)

• U17 Eastern Development program winners in NJ

• U17 Match Fit Girls 3rd place Disney Showcase 2013/14

• U17 Match Fit Girls 2nd place New Jersey State Cup final

• U16 Randolph Explosion Girls #10 in NJ - Top #100 in Nation

• Trialed for Northampton Football Club

• Signed for Southall, Wokingham and Ryton town Football Club

• Called up to play for the Fijian under 20’s national team

• Leeds Met football Captain / Manager

• Leeds Met Carnegie Athletic Union Club Colors


Before Centenary


Nesbit attended University in England and graduated with a Ba Hons in Sport Management. He began coaching on a part-time basis when he was 18 living in London. He worked for Wycombe Wanderers (English League Two) Football, where he coached players of varying abilities and ages. He began coaching in the US in 2008 for soccer camps on the West Coast before moving to New Jersey and taking up a regional directors position in Northern NJ at a coaching company. He went solo in 2013 to run his own business and joined Match Fit Academy to be a part of the girl's ECNL program then most recently coaching at PDA (Players Development Academy) in the ECNL program for the last 8 years, he now continues with his own company as a full time trainer / coach.


Ash also has some experience in high school soccer working as head / assistant coach at Pope John High School and Morris Catholic boys sides.


Personal Life


Married to his wife Melissa Nesbit of 11 years. Together, Melissa and Ash have a son and daughter (Caleb and Evie) and reside in Hackettstown, NJ. We love to travel, go to the beach and play golf in our spare time.