SIFA proactively scouts, recruits and coaches student athletes from underprivileged communities, not only helping them out financially but educating their families on the many benefits that are exclusive to club soccer.
In many low-income communities throughout the L.A. area, there are countless talented yet underdeveloped youth soccer players participating in basic recreational leagues, which unfortunately are limited to a lower level of competition and can help players fulfill only part of their potential.
Our purpose at SIFA is to proactively scout and recruit these talented players and present them with the opportunity to play at the more competitive club level, that otherwise, because of socioeconomic barriers, would be unable to participate.
Furthermore, our major objective at SIFA is to enhance every young athlete’s experience and growth, on and off the field, by providing all the exclusive benefits that the higher-level, club soccer system has to offer. Thus, through SIFA’s mentorship and guidance provided, every young athlete will have all the tools necessary to achieve their highest academic and athletic goals, that they never thought were possible.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
SIFA values Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and strives to uphold policies and programs that promote the representation and participation of different groups of individuals. SIFA holds DEI as its core intention and ensures each pillar is represented in our practice as follows:
DIVERSITY
We ensure young athletes of all different communities and backgrounds are able to compete at the level they warrant.
EQUITY
SIFA fosters an equitable environment through inclusion of inner city youth thus quite literally leveling the playing field.
INCLUSION
All young athletes with potential should be included in club soccer regardless of their socioeconomic status.
involved at the grass roots level, as well. In our first year SIFA held over 6 free clinics, in many
underserved communities of Los Angeles, where our foundation impacted over 1,000 young
athletes giving them the opportunity to participate in and learn the game of soccer, while keeping
them active and increasing their self esteem through team work drills.
While part of SIFA’s mission is to provide opportunities for young athletes to compete at the
higher club level, the other part of our mission is to support and strengthen the infrastructure
where these aspiring players come from and are originally developed, via partnering with
underserved rec leagues and hosting SIFA led free clinics.
In our eyes it’s all connected: from the grass roots level to the more competitive club soccer level
and all the way to the collegiate level, it is one continuous pathway that SIFA strives to guide
and mentor our youth down. All the while, providing the multitude of underprivileged kids the
opportunity not only to participate but to achieve all of their athletic and scholastic goals!
HISTORY
For the past 10 years, Coach Billy has been venturing out to recreational leagues in various underserved parts of Los Angeles, scouting and recruiting talented young female soccer players to play at the more athletically challenging and financially demanding club level. Throughout his process, he found two things: first, is that many players and their families are unaware of club soccer. The second and more common encounter is that they have heard of club soccer and maybe even tried it, but ultimately, couldn’t afford to participate long term, eventually dropping out because they couldn’t make the payments.
Coach Billy’s path, to the inner city, would have it’s beginning 10 years ago. He was led down this path by one of his then-team members, Izabella Munoz. She said she had a friend, Ashly, that she played with, in a recreational league in south central Los Angeles and that she was interested in joining our club team. Billy recalls, “I decided to go out and watch one of the games and when I first arrived, I thought I was at the wrong place, as there were only two boys teams warming up to play. I was almost ready to leave when I glanced at the entry gate and saw both Izabella and Ashly running up with one of the boy’s team jerseys on.” With a huge grin on his face, watching them run up to the group of boys, he thought, “This should be interesting.”
Since that day, Coach Billy has recruited and sponsored over 40+ players to play with his club teams, from that league and similar ones nearby.
As scouting in underserved communities became a constant for Coach Billy, discovering more and more recreational leagues and spending countless hours watching talented players with great potential, he realized that the multitude of players that needed overall guidance and assistance was beyond his capacity. Thus, Soccer Is For All was created.
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Making a Difference
90%
Retention rate of athletes continuing to play.
1000+
underserved youth impacted by SIFA free clinics last year.
100+
high school student-athletes mentored and guided down the college pathway by SIFA’s
“college bound program“ .
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LEADERSHIP
Billy Hansen was born and raised in Manhattan Beach, Ca. and first experienced soccer when his dad got him involved in the local AYSO league at age 7.
Billy remembers, “My first encounter with Brazilian soccer or the “jogo bonito” (the beautiful game) came when I was in 3rd grade, believe it or not. At that age, I had low self-esteem, was very sensitive and was socially awkward, so I didn’t deal with things that well. That being said, one day at school a bunch of kids were making fun of me and I was in tears. The teacher comes over to me and ends up sending me to the cafeteria where they were having a small gathering to watch ‘Pele: The Master and His Method’. It was a soccer training video, sponsored by Pepsi and my tears dried up instantly the minute I started to watch. It was filmed at Pele’s club “Santos FC” and nearby beaches. Mixed in the were shots of Pele playing professionally, for club and country, practicing/ instruction and Pele participating, himself, in a few peladas on the beach. That video obviously had a huge impact on me and that is where it all began, where my passion for the game and Brazilian soccer started.”
“Through my vast life experiences, for me, coaching is much more than soccer. It’s about building relationships with families, mentoring and offering guidance to our young athletes and ultimately, not only seeing them improve on the field, but watching their self-esteem and confidence grow as each season passes. Letting them know that whatever they can perceive, they can achieve.”
Billy Hansen
FOUNDER & CEO
“What I inherently enjoy about coaching is creating a diverse and nurturing culture within our teams that enables each individual player to fulfill their potential. To not only see our teams improving, but to see each player develop, gain confidence and shine at the next level, that is why I coach.”
Coaching career
- Mira Cost High School F/S 1 yr/ Varsity 3 yrs
- South Bay Soccer Club 3 yrs
- South Bay Soccer club youth Academy 3 yrs
- South Bay Force FC 3 yrs
- Currently with Beach FC 10th year
- Holds USSF national “D” license
Personal experience
- B.A in psychology (no, I’m not psychoanalyzing you when I talk to you)
- 25 Years at Maas-Hansen Steel Co. in Vernon, CA
- Languages spoken: English, Spanish, Portuguese, (Swedish, but, just enough to get me in trouble)
- Current working status: retired (or not, as I am starting a foundation 😉
Sheldon Thomas
CO-FOUNDER & VICE PRESIDENT
“Why I started coaching was to be able to give a little back, of what I have learned throughout my playing career, which took me from the streets of Trinidad to the college level, playing professionally and finally, representing my country. I think experiencing all that, gives me a pretty unique perspective on what it takes to develop kids and get them to the next level.”
Professional Membership
- Coach Thomas is a member of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and CalSouth Soccer
Coaching Qualifications
- Holds a USSF National D License.
Sheldon Thomas first learned the game of soccer, playing in the streets, of his native country of Trinidad and Tobago. With no coaches, no referees, and no parents, just him and his friends, enjoying the game they loved. It was no wonder Sheldon Thomas would become, not only one of the best college players in history but, continue on to a very successful professional career and ultimately, play for his home country.
From street soccer, where a young Sheldon would develop his phenomenal skills and creativity, he was eventually recruited to play for one of the more competitive club teams in his town, where his game began to thrive and prosper. Sheldon recalls, when he was just a teenager in Trinidad, “Me and friends would all be in awe if, on the rare occasion, one of the older kids would get a scholarship to go play at an American university. We all hoped that would be us one day”. Little did Sheldon know, he would not only achieve that dream but much more.
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Don S. Matso
SIFA Senior Advisor
Don’s work history includes key management and operational positions with firms like Boise Cascade and Weyerhaeuser Corporation, and in managing a mergers and acquisition advisory service for a division of Citigroup. At The Valere Group, a consultancy that he founded, Don has worked with a broad range of private sector businesses in assisting owners preparing for an ultimate transitional event, such as succession or sale. Don was in a senior management role as VP of External Affairs with the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee in preparing for and managing the 1984 Olympic Summer Games. The success of that event created a profit of over $200 million, half of which was donated to the LA84 Foundation which supports youth athletic programs in underprivileged communities of Southern California. As avid sports fan and athlete, Don was exposed to soccer, or fotboll as it is called in his native Swedish language, as a youth and when AYSO was founded in 1964 in Torrance, Don became active in instructing coaches and referees in Manhattan Beach who were new to the sport. In 1973, Don and the family moved to Charlotte, NC due to a job promotion and was disappointed to learn that an organized youth soccer program was non-existent. As a result, along with other adults with soccer backgrounds, Don founded and became President of Charlotte Junior Soccer, a program that led to Charlotte in the in the 80’s becoming a hotbed of soccer teams and players. When the Matso Family moved back to Manhattan Beach, Don was part of a group of coaches who formed the Pacific Soccer League with formalized club soccer in the South Bay, and the head of the MB Hurricanes soccer club in 1979, which today has morphed into Beach FC.
Patricia O’Keefe
College Admissions Consultant Head of SIFA College Admissions
“Empower students to believe, achieve and succeed every single day.”
Patricia O’Keefe serves as the College Admissions Consultant for SIFA. In this role, she offers invaluable assistance to our students, by aiding them in comprehending and exploring various career options while also demystifying the intricate college admissions process.
By guiding our students through the journey of identifying colleges that align with their aspirations, she equips them with the necessary tools to submit the most effective applications. Ms. O’Keefe is an elected official on the Global Committee for the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), and a member of HECA, NACAC & WACAC. She was also an elected official on the Global Committee for the Independent Educational Consultants Association, and was elected Governor to the Board of the American Chamber of Commerce, Japan (ACCJ) in 2009 and was Chairwoman of the ACCJ International Education Committee from 2006 – 2009. She visits over 20 colleges and universities a year speaking to students, admissions representatives, and professors. Ms. O’Keefe is a native Californian and her mantra is “Empower students to believe, achieve and succeed every single day.”
Madelyn Strubelt-Martinez
First generation college grad, SIFA Consultant and role model for SIFA’s student/athletes
Madelyn Strubelt-Martinez is a Nonprofit Consultant with over 12 years of experience in operations, marketing, programming, and management. She has worked with many prestigious institutions including University College London, Fo Guang Shan Monastery, Dallas Museum of Art, and Holocaust Museum Houston.
Since starting Madelyn Martinez Consulting in 2021, she has helped several small nonprofit organizations to facilitate strategic initiatives, generate marketing content, plan & execute events, build programming, and create volunteer communities. In her free time, Madelyn enjoys teaching yoga and composing her family cookbook.
As a first-generation college student and proud Latina, Madelyn is grateful to consult with SIFA, an organization whose mission and people she truly believes in.
Joe Geary
Board of Directors, SIFA Secretary
Joe grew up on the east coast. Soccer wasn’t big on the east coast at that time but Joe became familiar with the game through the large Portuguese population in town. While never a serious player himself, Joe became very interested in the game when his daughter started to play and even more so when they joined Coach Billy at Beach FC. After 3 years, they really came to enjoy the diverse culture created with the team. As team manager, he learned that though his experience, soccer is a true world sport and should be accessible to all kids who want to take their skills to the next level. Through Joe’s experience with Coach Billy and Beach FC, he has become a big advocate for what club soccer has to offer; the benefits of teamwork, competition, physical conditioning, and the outstanding friendships built within. With Joe’s newly acquired passion for youth soccer, he was more than happy to join the team at SIFA and to be able to contribute so others can experience the same great atmosphere his daughter had the privilege of being a part of.
“With Joe’s commitment to the betterment of our young athletes and his superior organizational skills which he brings to our group from the aerospace industry, his overall contribution to our cause is invaluable.” Coach Billy
Education:
• BSEE Northeastern University
• MSEE University of Southern California
• Continuing education UCLA Experience
• System Engineering and Program Management of aerospace programs
• Management for Billy Hansen’s Club soccer team 4 years
Carol Kulenkavich
SIFA Treasurer
Carol is a graduate of the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Masters of Taxation from Golden Gate University.
She is a CPA and has over 25 years of experience in public accounting and has worked with privately held companies and their owners in a variety of industries.
She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the South Bay Children’s Health Center and has sat on the board of several not-for-profit charitable organizations.
Wendy Espejel
College Recruitment and Player Development Advisor
Wendy is currently the head coach of the Soka University’s NAIA women’s program. Before she was head coach and as an asst coach, she sat on the Soka University Student Affairs’ D.E.I. and Health and Wellness committees and still currently organizes the athletic department’s annual Pride Night events.
She is also currently on staff for the Cal South Olympic Development Program as a scout and goalkeeper coach and as head coach led the Olympic Development Program’s (O.D.P.) 07′ team to a regional championship. Wendy also Coaches the ECNL G2010 girls team at West Coast FC.
She was also formerly a goalkeeper for the U-20 Mexican National Team, as well as, the Mexican University Olympic Team where she competed in various international tournaments. She has also had a stint at coaching internationally, leading the U15 and U20 Puerto Rico women’s youth national teams to various Concacaf and international tournaments.
“I am excited to be working closely with SIFA and providing support to our local inner city soccer community. I am passionate about sharing my experiences, as myself being a first generation college student and providing tools and support to the underprivileged youth, who more than ever, can use the mentorship and guidance to achieve all their academic and athletic goals.”
Jeff Joyner
College Recruitment and Club Soccer Advisor
Jeff Joyner is currently the Associate Head Coach of DI Long Beach State women’s program in his 11th year and 18th overall with Long Beach. In Joyner’s time with the program, the Beach has claimed five Big West regular season championships and four Big West Tournament titles.
He has also been a part of all seven of CSULB’s NCAA Tournament teams, including two straight appearances in 2015 and 2016. The Beach has totaled five All-American selections, 34 All-Region, and 89 All-Big West since he joined the Long Beach coaching staff.
Prior to Long Beach State Jeff spent five years as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Cal State Dominguez Hills. His first year with the men’s program resulted in an NCAA Division II National Championship in 2000. Jeff was an assistant coach of the women’s team at Dominguez Hills, from 2001-04.
Jeff played for CSUDH in 1999, after transferring from Harbor Junior College where he was a two-time All-South Coast selection. He prepped at South Torrance High School, where he was a two-time all-league pick and an All-CIF honoree as a senior. He earned his bachelor’s degree in economics in 2001.
Jeff Joyner has been with Beach FC since 2008. In that time, he has helped lead his teams to multiple titles, including a national championship in 2014. During his time at Beach FC, he has coached several players during their youth careers that have gone on to play professionally. These players include Sam Witteman (Orlando Pride), Kaitlin Fregulia (North Carolina Courage), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns), Onyeka Gamero (FC Barcelona), Savannah DeMelo (Racing Louisville & USWNT), and most recently Annie Karich (SC Freiburg). Jeff has also helped place 100’s of players in college programs around the country.
Josh Figueroa
High School Talent Procurement Advisor
Josh is currently the head Coach for Palisades High school boys varsity where in his 7 years there he led the team to a CIF championship. Also, he is an assistant coach for the women’s program at West La College. At the club level, josh coaches at LA Breakers in Santa Monica boys 2010 and 2014.
Josh played high school, where he now coaches, at Palisades High School and then played at the colligate level at Santa Monica College.
Josh is a product of the inner-city himself, growing up in the crenshaw district of south-central LA and knows all too well the hardships and challenges that come with it. As a young talented youth player Josh remembers exceling in the local rec, leagues but not being able to make the jump to club. “all of our money went to paying bills and putting food on the table, so playing club for me was out of the question”, Josh remarks. “Where was SIFA when I was growing up?”
Josh confesses that he acquired his passion for the game, when he was younger, playing in the parks with his friends in the Crenshaw district. Being aware of his humble surroundings as a young kid, he now has developed a love of helping others, a passion for coaching being able to have an impact on these young athletes’ lives and guiding them down the path to success.
Eric Garcia
SIFA College Recruitment Advisor
Eric is the current Head coach of the Div 2 Cal State LA women’s soccer program, having held that position for the past 5 years and has been with the program since 2012.
Eric brings not only years of experience as a collegiate head coach to our SIFA family, but also a profound understanding of the challenges that our student-athletes face, having grown up in an underserved community himself, in
south-central Los Angeles. He also spent part of his childhood in Honduras, but eventually found his way back to South Central and in 1999 graduated from Manual Arts High School.
Experiencing that pathway growing up and now, being a very accomplished college head coach, Eric’s insights are invaluable in mentoring and guiding our young student-athletes toward their aspirations. We are incredibly fortunate to have a coach of his caliber and life experience to support our student-athletes. Garcia began his coaching career in 2006 as an assistant coach for
the men’s and women’s programs at Holy Names University. The same year he graduated from there where earned his bachelor’s degree in Sociology. From there his coaching career consisted of being Assistant coach at Cal Poly Pomona men’s team 2009 and 2010, then the associate head coach of both the men’s and women’s programs at Kansas Wesleyan University in 2011. Eric would then come back to California where he would be named interim head
coach back at Cal Poly Pomona of the men’s team. The following year he would find his home at Cal State LA and flourish within that program.
“As growing up in the inner city myself and knowing firsthand the
challenges most of these kids face, it’s a no-brainer for me to be a part
of SIFA and give back what I have learned. To get these young adults to
invest in themselves is the first, most powerful step, where I take great
pride in communicating with our SIFA kids to instill that belief. From
there, with the exclusive tools we gives our kids through SIFA’s College
Bound Program, they are on the right path to achieve all of their
academic and athletic goals.”
“Coach Billy recruited me to play for his club team in 2015. After 4 years with our team, Coach Billy and I decided it was time to leave and play at an even higher level than where we were at. With Coach Billy’s motivation and support, I decided to move to the top level of club soccer, playing with LAFC ECNL. Now, through the guidance of SIFA’s college bound program I am a First-Generation college student and attending Cal State University, Fullerton!”
— Izabella Munoz
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