Soccer is an amazing game of decision making and discovery. The mission and philosophy here at Tacoma Elite Soccer Academy is to bring professional coaching to our children in the community. We will introduce them to more advanced techniques and programs that encourage smarter decision-making along with problem-solving at an earlier age to aid our player’s pathway for success in ‘The Beautiful Game.’
Tacoma Elite is based off the English Football Academy system. Our programs are player-centered in a fun and friendly learning environment. We create learning situations that maximize ball contact and repetition, the key components that enhance the chance of success.
John Rutherford is the Academy Director at Tacoma Elite Soccer Academy. John was born and raised in Liverpool, England, where soccer is more than just a sport – it is life!
John has forged relationships with some of the top coaches and professional soccer teams across the U.S. Through collaboration, he has created a curriculum that aligns with professional youth soccer training across Europe and also being taught throughout America’s top tier right now!
As a coach, John’s 15 years of professional coaching experience ranges from micro’s to adults. In New York, John worked as head coach for UK Elite, coaching in Connecticut with New Canaan Football Club and in New York with Scarsdale Football Club. John then joined Foster Soccer in Westchester where he became Director of Coaching for Larchmont and Mamaroneck Football Club (LMFC).
Here John would meet life long friends and champions of the sport that would soon direct him to the West Coast. John has coached multiple teams in Los Angeles, CA, working with various clubs in Pasadena, Torrance, Palos Verdes, and Long Beach. However, it was the ‘Evergreen State’ of Washington that he was drawn to. John coached summer camps for over 5 years across the Seattle area, Pullman and Tacoma.