Grove United signs Asanda Tom to the club’s NPSL squad for the 2026 season

Grove United signs former academy product and professional midfielder Asanda Tom to the club’s NPSL squad for the 2026 season.

Tom joins Grove United from South African Premier Division side Chippa United. A product of the Grove Soccer Academy South Africa, Tom’s journey within the Grove pathway began years ago when he joined the academy in South Africa in 2015 before traveling to Richmond in 2016 as part of the Grove Soccer Academy USA Tour. Since then, the talented midfielder has continued to grow both professionally and personally, becom

ing another example of the academy’s international player pathway in action.

Following his development in South Africa and experience in the United States, Tom earned opportunities with some of the top clubs in South African football. He later joined the academy setup of Mamelodi Sundowns before signing with Cape Town City FC, where he featured with the reserve squad. After spending a season with Grove United in the NPSL, Tom signed professionally with Chippa United in the South African Premier Division.

Now, the South African midfielder returns to the United States ahead of the 2026 NPSL campaign, bringing experience, composure, and attacking quality back to Grove United. Known for his technical ability, vision, and control of the game’s rhythm, Tom adds another dynamic piece to the club’s roster for the upcoming season.

“Asanda is a special player with tremendous talent,” said Justin Grove, Grove United President and Technical Director. “He brings creativity, class, and magic to our midfield with the ability to dictate the tempo and change the game at any moment. His professional experience with Chippa United, along with being part of the Grove DNA as one of our top academy products, is evident every time he steps on the field.

“It’s exciting to see one of our academy players continue his journey with Grove United for the 2026 NPSL season. Asanda represents what our pathway is all about — developing players through the academy and helping them take the next step in their careers. We believe he has the talent and mentality to continue progressing to even higher levels here in the United States.”

Tom’s signing continues Grove United’s commitment to building a competitive squad while creating opportunities for players developed through the Grove Soccer Academy system around the world.

Grove United Adds Professional Experience to Academy Staff with Signing of Mutaya Mwape

Grove United is proud to announce the addition of Mutaya Mwape to the club for the upcoming season as an Academy Coach, further strengthening the club’s commitment to high-level player development. Mwape will play a key role within Grove United’s academy, working closely with players across multiple age groups and contributing to the continued growth of the club’s professional pathway. His experience as an academy coach and professional player across top levels of the game brings valuable insight and mentorship to the next generation of players. Mwape has built a strong coaching résumé over the past several years working with players U10-U19. He began his coaching career with the Charlotte Independence Academy in 2018 before contributing to Grove Academy from 2019 to 2021. He later coached with Chattanooga Academy in 2023 and expanded his impact in 2024 through roles at Sojourner Truth High School and SS360. In 2025, Mwape continued his coaching development with Touch King’s and PFC Academy.

As a player, Mwape has almost a decade of professional experience across multiple levels of the U.S. soccer pyramid, including Charlotte Independence (USL Championship), Richmond Kickers (USL League One), where he made 30+ appearances over three seasons, South Georgia Tormenta (USL League One), Chattanooga FC, and Maryland Bobcats (NISA). He was also part of the South Georgia Tormenta organization during their USL League One championship season.

This level of experience as a coach and professional player allows him to bring a professional standard, daily habits, and real-world perspective into the academy environment—providing players with direct insight into what it takes to progress to the next level.

Justin Grove, President of Grove United, said: "We have players on a clear path to the next level, and bringing in someone like Mutaya is a major step forward for our academy. He understands exactly what it takes to get there—not just as a player, but as a coach. I’ve worked closely with him here at Grove before, and he knows the standard we expect every day. He’s fully aligned with our commitment to pushing individual players to reach their potential, and I’m excited to have him back and making an impact."

Mwape’s return to Grove marks a full-circle moment, bringing his experience back to a familiar setting. Having previously been part of the club, he understands the culture of excellence, intensity, and development that defines Grove United, making him a natural fit for this role. Mutaya Mwape added: "I’m excited to return to Grove United and be part of the academy again. This is a club that truly invests in player development and creates real opportunities for players to move to the next level. Having been through that journey myself, I’m looking forward to helping guide players, share my experience, and

contribute to the culture that makes Grove such a strong environment for growth." As Grove United continues to grow its reputation for developing and advancing players, the addition of Mutaya Mwape represents another important step forward in strengthening the club’s pathway from youth to the senior level.

Grove United Welcomes Colt Resnick to the Academy Coaching Staff

Grove United is proud to announce the addition of Colt Resnick as a coach for pre-academy U10-U12 for 2026, bringing a wealth of coaching experience, proven leadership, and a strong track record of player development to the club.

Resnick currently serves as the Men’s Varsity Head Coach at Monacan High School in Midlothian, Virginia, a role he has held since 2018. During his tenure, he has built one of the region’s most competitive programs, focusing on developing student-athletes’ technical ability, tactical understanding, and physical performance. Known for fostering a disciplined, positive, and team-oriented culture, Resnick emphasizes leadership, accountability, and sportsmanship both on and off the field. His responsibilities have included organizing daily training sessions, managing preseason and conditioning programs, and overseeing all aspects of team operations, including scheduling, travel, and equipment.

In addition to his high school success, Resnick has extensive experience in the competitive youth soccer landscape. He currently serves as a Head Coach with highly competetive travel programs at multiple age groups. In these roles, he has demonstrated a strong ability to evaluate player performance, assign positions, and implement effective game strategies tailored to team strengths. He has also consistently upheld high standards for discipline, accountability, and player development.

Earlier in his career, Resnick coached boys’ and girls’ soccer at the middle school level, building a strong foundation in athlete development across multiple age groups.

His accomplishments have not gone unnoticed. Resnick was named VHSL Region 4B Coach of the Year in 2025 after leading his team to a Region Championship and a State Semifinal appearance. He also guided his program to a State Quarterfinal finish in 2019, further cementing his reputation as a high-level coach capable of developing successful teams.

At Grove United, Resnick will play a key role in the Pre-Academy, focusing on developing young players during the most formative stages of their soccer journey. His passion for teaching, attention to detail, technical training, and commitment to long-term player development align perfectly with the club’s mission and vision.

Want to learn under Coach Resnick? Don’t miss your chance to be part of a competitive, development-focused environment and learn from one of the top coaches in the region. Register now for Grove United Pre-Academy tryouts and take the next step in your development.