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.