FROM JOHANNESBURG TO THE SIDELINE
The story behind the coach — how a love for the game that started on the streets of South Africa became a career dedicated to developing the next generation of players and people.
ORIGIN STORY
WHERE IT ALL STARTED
Coach Tumi grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa, where soccer wasn’t just a sport — it was the language everyone spoke. He fell in love with the game playing with his brother Tokelo and cousins, watching South Africa win the 1996 African Cup of Nations, and following the Arsenal Invincibles through their legendary unbeaten season.
His older brother Tokelo was his biggest influence. Tumi would watch his high school games and push himself to try to be better. That competitive drive — fueled by family, fueled by the game — followed him when his family moved to Stoughton, Massachusetts, and it never left.
For Coach Tumi, soccer has always been more than a game. It represents opportunity, connection, and one of the purest meritocracies — where effort, ability, and character matter more than anything else.
WORCESTER ACADEMY
Captain / Class of 2009
BOSTON COLLEGE
ACC Division 1
POSITIONS
LCB / LB / LM
JUVENTUS USA
2x State Cup Winner
PLAYING CAREER
A PLAYER FIRST
Before he ever coached a session, Coach Tumi competed at the highest levels as a player. He captained the Worcester Academy soccer team before graduating in 2009, then went on to play at Boston College in the ACC — one of the top Division I conferences in the country.
He played left center back, left back, and left midfielder — positions that demand tactical awareness, composure under pressure, and the ability to read the game. Before Worcester Academy, he was a two-time state cup winner with Juventus USA on the club circuit.
His playing career taught him something he carries into every coaching session today: the game gives back exactly what you put into it. The players who grow the most are the ones willing to look in the mirror, be honest with themselves, and use that honesty to keep improving.
THE PIVOT TO COACHING
THE MOMENT EVERYTHING CHANGED
After graduating from Boston College, Coach Tumi did what a lot of people do — he took a desk job. One year in a cubicle was all it took. At 23, he walked away from the conventional path and committed fully to coaching.
Soccer had been the constant in his life since childhood. It was never really a question of if he’d come back to the game — just when. That decision launched a coaching career that now spans over 12 years and counting.
COACHING JOURNEY
12 YEARS ACROSS EVERY LEVEL
From grassroots to the professional academy pipeline, Coach Tumi has coached at every level of the game across Massachusetts and beyond. His career has taken him through elite club programs, MLS academy development, NAIA and Division II collegiate coaching, and now prep school leadership.
New England Revolution Academy
COACH & SCOUT
Fisher University
COACH (NAIA COLLEGIATE)
SFC New England
DIRECTOR
Bentley University
ASSISTANT COACH (D2 COLLEGIATE)
FC Bolts
DIRECTOR
Barca Escola Soccer School
COACH
Worcester Academy
HEAD COACH (CURRENT)
Scorpions FC
COACH
MLS NEXT ACADEMY
PREP SCHOOL
D2 COLLEGIATE
ELITE CLUB
NAIA COLLEGIATE
AGES U3–U23
EDP
NAL
PHILOSOPHY & INFLUENCES
HOW I THINK ABOUT THE GAME
Coach Tumi’s philosophy is built on one central belief: development drives winning. When players build the right technical ability, tactical understanding, mentality, and habits, success becomes a natural byproduct of the process.
His approach is holistic. Every session is designed to develop the complete player — not just their feet, but their mind. He prioritizes confidence through stacking small wins, creates environments where players are safe to take risks and express themselves, and builds accountability through clear standards and honest conversations.
He believes the best players share a growth mindset: they embrace coaching, try difficult things in games, see mistakes as learning opportunities, and stay motivated through setbacks. His job is to build that mindset into every player he works with.
Influences
His coaching philosophy has been shaped by studying some of the game’s greatest tactical minds — filtering everything through his own experience working with players at every level.
Johan Cruyff
Pep Guardiola
Frank Rijkaard
Arsène Wenger
Roberto De Zerbi
José Mourinho
Jürgen Klopp
CREDENTIALS & RECOGNITION
CREDENTIALS & RECOGNITION
LICENSES
UEFA B License — Scottish FA
USSF C License
PLAYER PATHWAYS
Players coached by Coach Tumi have gone on to MLS, the national team player pool, and D1, D2, and D3 NCAA programs across the country.
AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS
United Soccer Coaches — East Regional Staff of the Year (2025)
Undefeated NE10 Conference Season (2025)
Bentley University — NCAA Tournament Appearance (first since 1975)
2025 Massachusetts State Cup Champions
First SFC New England team to win a State Cup (2013 Boys)
Coached 2 Defensive Players of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, Academic All-Americans
Professional Development:
UEFA C
USSF C
SAFESPORT CERTIFIED
THE SIDELINE PROJECT
RETURN ON INCLUSION (DEI TRAINING)
CONTACT US
NOW YOU KNOW THE STORY.
LET’S GET TO WORK.
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