SSA Swarm FC (Southern Soccer Academy)
Overview
501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN: 58-2224949). Originally founded as Cobb Futbol Club in 1997, later evolved into Southern Soccer Academy through mergers. Headquartered in Marietta, GA. Tax-exempt since February 1997.
In May 2024, SSA partnered with Brentford FC (English Premier League) and Intrepid Sports Group to rebrand as SSA Swarm FC, with Brentford providing coaching methodology, player pathways to the UK, and institutional backing. This represents the first significant foreign club investment in the Georgia youth soccer market.
SSA Swarm is the largest club by participant count in Georgia with 12,000+ active members.
Financials
Filed under “Cobb Futbol Club” (EIN 58-2224949):
| Fiscal Year | Revenue | Expenses | Net Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $6,712,479 | $6,524,926 | $3,884,586 |
| 2024 | $6,003,525 | $5,642,846 | $3,700,786 |
| 2023 | $6,361,376 | $6,321,843 | $3,335,574 |
| 2022 | $5,185,277 | $4,965,930 | $3,295,961 |
| 2021 | $4,258,282 | $4,027,203 | $3,091,621 |
| 2020 | $5,174,324 | $3,983,840 | $1,817,338 |
| 2019 | $4,175,544 | $3,807,480 | $1,516,546 |
Source: ProPublica 990 Explorer. Confidence: (HIGH)
Revenue trend: Growth from $2.8M (2017) to $6.7M (2025) — 138% increase. Strong and consistent net asset accumulation ($3.9M).
Teams & Players
12,000+ active members across recreational, academy, select, and elite competitive programs. Boys and girls ages 3-19. Also operates adult leagues and a WPSL-adjacent women’s program.
League Affiliations
- MLS Next
- Girls Academy (GA)
- GA Aspire
- Development Player League (DPL)
- NAL (National Academy League)
- SCCL — founding member
- EDP Soccer
- NPL
Facilities
- Marietta/Kennesaw — Primary training locations (Cobb County)
- MOBA Soccer Complex — 1000 Moba Dr, Peachtree City
- Cartersville / Bartow County
- Paulding County
- Buckhead
- Coweta County
- Glynn County (Jekyll Island, Brunswick) — Coastal branch
Geographic coverage is the broadest of any Georgia club.
Leadership
- Simon Davey — Managing Director / Executive Director. $210,893 (FY2025).
- Sean Chamberlain — Operations Director. $147,297.
- Gareth Evans — Director of Coaching. $134,786.
- Sharon Guaghan — League Administrator. $78,713.
- Jack Collison — Director of Methodology and Global Ambassador (Brentford appointment).
- Aaron Bonham — Board President (volunteer).
- Kevin Heid — VP/Secretary (volunteer).
- Benny Cauwenberghs — Treasurer (volunteer).
Simon Davey’s 20+ year relationship with Brentford Technical Director Lee Dykes was the catalyst for the partnership.
Competitive Position
SSA Swarm is the largest youth soccer organization in Georgia by participant count and the second-largest by revenue. The Brentford FC partnership gives it a unique international dimension.
Strengths:
- Largest participant base (12,000+)
- Brentford FC / Intrepid Sports backing and methodology
- MLS Next + Girls Academy dual pathway
- Broadest geographic coverage in Georgia
- Strong net asset base ($3.9M)
- Jack Collison (former West Ham) as Director of Methodology
Weaknesses:
- Brand still transitioning from “SSA” to “Swarm FC”
- Not an ECNL member
- Brentford partnership may limit strategic flexibility
- Cobb County base is less affluent than Buckhead/Alpharetta corridors
Investment Thesis
Not acquirable. The Brentford FC / Intrepid Sports partnership effectively takes SSA Swarm off the market as an acquisition target. However, SSA Swarm serves as a competitive intelligence benchmark and a proof-of-concept for institutional investment in Georgia youth soccer. Monitor their expansion and whether Intrepid Sports pursues additional Georgia acquisitions.
Open Questions
- What is the equity structure of the Intrepid Sports / Brentford deal with SSA?
- Is SSA Swarm still operating as a 501(c)(3), or has the Intrepid deal changed the structure?
- Will Intrepid Sports pursue other Georgia clubs?
- What is the financial contribution from Brentford beyond methodology/coaching?