2023-24 Coaching Staff Announced!

Emerald Coast Rush • July 5, 2023

(Niceville, Fla.) May 22, 2023 - Emerald Coach Rush, a leading soccer organization, is thrilled to announce its coaching staff for the upcoming 2023-2024 season. Tim Seketa will continue as the Director of Coaching and the staff is set to enhance all aspects of player development. With a renewed focus on excellence, Emerald Coach Rush is dedicated to providing top-notch programming for all players under the Emerald Coast banner.


Anthony Loicano will continue as Director of the Development Academy. Loicano's expertise and passion for the game make him the ideal coach to lead this crucial phase of player growth. Notably, the Development Academy will now cater to players aged U10 and below, ensuring that even the youngest talents receive the best possible training and support.

Additionally, the U11-U14 category has undergone an exciting transformation and is now known as the Competitive Academy. Emerald Coach Rush has chosen Matt Niemiec to oversee this development. Niemiec's experience and dedication will undoubtedly contribute to the growth and success of the players in this age group.


The Performance Academy, which encompasses players aged U15 and above, will be overseen by Craig Wallace. With his unique coaching abilities and international knowledge, Wallace will play a pivotal role in elevating the performance of the older players. The Performance Academy aims to hone the skills of these athletes and prepare them for high-level competition.

The coaching staff at Emerald Coach Rush is excited about the restructuring and the potential it holds for players of all ages. By implementing these changes, the organization is committed to delivering top-quality programming and fostering a supportive environment for each individual player.



As the 2023-2024 season approaches, Emerald Coach Rush remains dedicated to its mission of developing well-rounded, skilled, and successful soccer players. With the newly appointed coaching staff in place, the organization is poised to reach new heights and continue to be a trailblazer in the world of youth soccer in the Florida panhandle.


By Emerald Coast Rush May 15, 2025
The 2025/26 coaching announcements are now posted! See below for our coaching deck!
By Emerald Coast Rush April 17, 2025
Volunteer for EC Rush's First TOPSoccer Event!
By Emerald Coast Rush April 1, 2025
2025-26 Tryout Information
By Emerald Coast Rush March 3, 2025
The Florida Soccer School Spring Break Soccer Camp
By Caitlin Hairston February 13, 2025
STARS Update & Press Release
By Emerald Coast Rush January 7, 2025
The Fourth Annual TOPSoccer Festival, hosted in partnership with the Tampa Bay Rowdies, brought joy, excitement, and community to athletes of all abilities. This year’s event, held at the Rowdies Training Facility, marked a significant milestone with participants, coaches, and volunteers coming together to celebrate the spirit of inclusion through the beautiful game. TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a community-based program designed to provide opportunities for athletes with physical and intellectual disabilities. The annual festival has become a cornerstone event, showcasing how the power of soccer can bring people together and create unforgettable experiences. A Special Year for TOPSoccer TOPSoccer State Chairperson, Jenn DiTillio, reflected on the event’s success, sharing, “This year’s TOPSoccer Festival was something really special. Coaches from all over the state came together to make it an unforgettable experience. We added some fun new stations, and I’m thrilled to share that half of the attendees were experiencing TOPSoccer for the very first time! A huge thank you to everyone who volunteered and helped out – your support made all the difference, and we couldn’t have done it without you!” The festival featured a variety of interactive stations, skill challenges, and small-sided games designed to engage athletes in a supportive and inclusive environment. New stations introduced this year brought added excitement and creativity, allowing participants to explore different aspects of the game while having fun. Building Community, Changing Lives One of the festival’s most remarkable highlights was its ability to welcome first-time participants. For many families, this was their first opportunity to experience the camaraderie and joy that TOPSoccer offers. The festival not only gave young athletes a chance to play but also helped parents and caregivers connect with the wider soccer community. Coaches and volunteers traveled from all over Florida to make the day a success. Their dedication to creating an inclusive environment ensured every participant felt encouraged and celebrated. From warm-up drills to goal celebrations, smiles were in abundance as athletes bonded over their shared love for the game. Emerald Coast Rush Staff Coach Loco and Coach Devin were in invited down to attend. " Even though we are not TOPSoccer coaches, we are FYSA carded coaches for EC Rush and we coach disabled children for VIP, so the FYSA committee invited us down. It was a great experience, we learned a lot and we also shared some of the great things that the VIP program has done" Said Coach Loco.
By Emerald Coast Rush December 5, 2024
Coach Zach Probst Obtains C License
By Emerald Coast Rush November 27, 2024
Coach Courtney Peterson Obtains C License
By Emerald Coast Rush November 21, 2024
Open Training with Director of Coaching Dalton Healy Current Emerald Coast Rush players. Mon. Nov. 25, Dec. 2, 16, 30 Ages U10-U12, 5:30-6:45 Ages U13-U19, 6:45-8:00  Twin Oaks Soccer Complex, Niceville No sign up required! Questions? Shoot us an email! info@emeraldcoastrush.com
By Louis Richard November 18, 2024
In early October, the Girls in Soccer pilot program was a resounding success, brining together around 100 young female athletes from Flordia Youth Soccer Associations (FYSA) Region D. Organized by FYSA Region D East Commissioner Melissa Alford, the event was designed to empower girls in soccer by focusing on a holistic approach to both their physical and mental well-being. With sessions on body health, mental health, and nutrition, the girls left with valuable insights that will aid them both on and off the field. Emerald Coast Rush, FYSA Region D Member, was well represented with Players and Coaches in attendance. As well as contributions by FYSA Region D VP and ECR Director, Louis Richard. The Girls in Soccer program will be expanding to new regions of Florida coming soon! Interested in reading more? Check out Page 17 of the USYS Full Circle Magazine!
More Posts