In the Fall or 2016, Radoslav “Jimmy” Stefanov was walking past Franklin Square Playground in San Francisco. As lifelong soccer player and new SF resident, Jimmy was captivated by the teams playing soccer there and wanted to learn more about the league – his first steps onto that field were also his first steps into the Street Soccer USA, Bay Area community. He met David Tkach, the league manager for SSUSA’s I Play For Bay Area adult recreational soccer league, took a flyer about the league, and signed up for the SSUSA newsletter that evening.
Fast forward a few weeks and Jimmy is active in the I Play For league and happy to be playing soccer again; then an email from David announcing and opportunity to coach with SSUSA as a volunteer lands in Jimmy’s inbox – “Calling all coaches! Do you want to connect with youth in your community, be a role model, and coach soccer for more than just winning and losing? Coach with Street Soccer USA and coach for bigger goals… let us know why you’d be a good fit.”
An interview was set up between Jimmy and Ricky, SSUSA’s East Bay Program Manager, where Jimmy was able to share his personal story of growing up in Bulgaria, playing soccer from Elementary School up through Semi-Professional play on Razgrad (sharing the field with pros on Ludogorets) and having the opportunity to try out for the Baltimore Blast in the MASL, and settling into the USA as an immigrant. Jimmy’s first ever time on a plane was his flight to the US, where he left his family and home to have more opportunity to pursue his passions of soccer and music. Jimmy spoke about his first few months in the states, meeting folks from all over the world, and finding a way to connect to so many people through soccer.
Jimmy is now a seasoned SSUSA Youth Program Coach, looking to take on more responsibility and inspiring new coaches as they find their own sense of joy with the SSUSA community. His enthusiasm and passion for the work done at SSUSA is undeniable. Approaching each session with a smile and loads of energy, he is able to productively teach our SSUSA Curriculum based in social and emotional learning, producing creative problem solvers through the beautiful sport of soccer.
