NASA Tophat is an Atlanta, Georgia soccer club formed in 2016 through a merger of Tophat Soccer Club and North Atlanta Soccer Association (NASA). The organization traces back to 1982 at Atlanta's Northside YMCA for Tophat, alongside a 2004 merger of United Quest and Metro North that created NASA. Ranked among Georgia's largest clubs by team count in the ECNL, the club identifies its core values as Commitment, Humility, Resilience, and Confidence.
WHY FAMILIES CHOOSE US
Why families choose this club
National pedigree
The club notes that Tophat is renowned nationally for developing top-class players and competing for National Championships.
Championship history
Its historical record includes 15+ USY State Championships and a 2013 USYS National Championship.
Pro alumni
NASA Tophat lists Emily Sonnett, a USWNT player since 2015 and 2x World Cup/Olympic gold medalist, among its notable program alumni.
Player pathways
The club emphasizes opportunities for players of all ability and commitment levels, offering pathways across recreational leagues, Academy, Select, ECNL, GA, and DPL.
PROGRAMS
Programs
Boys compete under the NASA banner (ECNL, ECNL-RL, SCCL, Academy/Select), while girls play under Tophat across GA, GA Aspire, DPL, SCCL. Recreational options include a TOP Soccer program and camps alongside the Recreational Player Development Program (PDP), where fall sessions run September through November for U6-U9. During the summer months, an SCCL Summer League is offered as part of competitive programming. Training takes place across facilities such as Franklin Gateway Sports Complex, Lakepoint Sports Complex, Metro North Park, and Jonquil Park.
FallRecreational PDP sessions run September through November for U6-U9.
SummerSCCL Summer League offered as part of competitive programming.
Primary training locations: Franklin Gateway Sports Complex, Howard School, J.J. Biello Park (Cherokee), Jonquil Park, King's Ridge Christian School, Lakepoint Sports Complex, Metro North Park, Noonday Back
TUITION
Cost to play
Published tuition is $250/season specifically for the Recreational Player Development Program (PDP). The PDP fee covers provided uniforms for participants, while families are responsible for shin guards, cleats, soccer ball, and water. No membership or tuition amounts are published for competitive levels like ECNL, GA, DPL, SCCL or standard recreational leagues.
$250/season
COACHING
Coaching
Club leadership
Executive DirectorDave Smith oversees administrative operations, while the coaching structure relies on separate directors of coaching for NASA Boys and Tophat Girls.
Branch directors
Ray Tomlin serves as Boys Director of Coaching/ECNL Director, and Troy Garner serves as Girls Director of Coaching.
Program directors
Competitive tracks are led by NASA Academy DirectorMark Lavery, Tophat GA Aspire director Phil Donaldson, and Tophat DPL / SCCL Marietta DirectorSam Clark.
Goalkeeper training
Goalkeeper training is managed by Ron Apollon, the NTH Goalkeeper Coach / Goalkeeper Training Manager.
Ray Tomlin
Boys Director of Coaching/ECNL Director
Troy Garner
Girls Director of Coaching
Mark Lavery
NASA Academy Director
Phil Donaldson
Tophat GA Aspire
Sam Clark
Tophat DPL / SCCL Marietta Director
Ron Apollon
NTH Goalkeeper Coach / Goalkeeper Training Manager
Dave Smith
Executive Director
CLUB CORE VALUES
Club Core Values
NASA Tophat states its core values as Commitment, Humility, Resilience, and Confidence, and its educational goals include teaching a high level of technical ability and tactical awareness while building player confidence.
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