NISA Nation leadership galvanized

NISA Nation, the groundbreaking league founded by the National independent Soccer Association (NISA) bringing promotion opportunities to independent amateur clubs, has rounded out its leadership team as it drives toward a fall 2021 launch. NISA Nation introduced Ron Patel as managing director last month and now introduces Matt Morse, Jonathan Rednour and Ben Rode as regional directors.

“This is a formidable team that brings amazing experience in guiding amateur soccer club development,” says Patel. “They each deserve a lot of credit for the challenging work already invested in this endeavor. They will be charged with reaching out to clubs to grow the field for their respective regions.”

Matt Morse is the West Coast Region manager, one of two regions that will begin play in the fall. He is acting president of NISA affiliate Southwest Premier League since 2009 and has been on the board since 2002. He also was the director of operations for the SoCal Seahorses from 2001-2010, as well as the director of coaching for AC Brea (Calif.) from 2006-2020. A former captain of the Biola University soccer team, where he also earned a master’s degree in Intercultural Studies with an emphasis on Sport & Culture. Morse is an A licensed coach since 2011 and is currently a USSF Coaching instructor, teaching grassroots and D coaching licenses.

Jonathan Rednour, founder and general manager of Crescent City (New Orleans) FC, manages the Southeast and is the interim Northeast manager (the other region to begin play this fall). Rednour also is the vice president and director of operations of the Gulf Coast Premier League, a NISA affiliate. He has played and managed on the amateur level, as well, which includes earning his E coaching license in 2012.

Ben Rode, the Midwest Region manager, co-founded Oakland County FC (Mich.) in 2015, and then joined the Livonia City FC (Mich.) board in December 2019 where he continues as its managing director. He also is a director and on the board of the Midwest Premier League, also a NISA affiliate.