SIFA proactively scouts on location, identifies, and recruits talented young soccer players, from underserved recreational leagues, and facilitates the young athletes’ inclusion into the club soccer system.
Once a player has been identified, we at SIFA begin to develop a relationship with them and their family. Education is key at SIFA and our initial recruitment conversations cover the benefits of club soccer as well as any socioeconomic barriers that might hinder the player and their family’s transition to the more competitive club level.
Through SIFA’s guidance, we work to find solutions to those barriers. After the player and family have been counseled and have a full understanding of what club soccer consists of, including the many benefits, we then work towards fulfilling any needs against predicted barriers. Then the aspiring young athlete is now ready to embark on a journey that will change his or her life forever.
It isn’t easy venturing out of your underserved community to a more affluent one. Still, it’s even more challenging if you have to perform in that new environment, especially around unfamiliar teammates. But, with the majority of our staff and players coming from diverse backgrounds and demographics themselves, every new player will have a sense of inclusion from the very moment they arrive.
SIFA College Bound Program
In addition to our club soccer program, SIFA has organically developed a program that supports and guides our student-athletes on their journey toward higher education. In fact, we have teamed up with highly qualified professionals to help mentor our future student-athletes on the complex pathway to college. These include SIFA Team members, College Admissions Consultant, Patricia O”Keefe, and our College recruitment advisors Eric Garcia and Wendy Espejel. Together we developed several online sessions that cover the intricacies of the college application process, recruitment to play at the college level, and even the arduous financial aid process. In addition to these sessions, each student-athlete receives personalized mentorship from our team members to ensure they are on track toward their goals. With over 15 first generation college students to date, the proof is in the pudding!
Left: Part of SIFA’s college bound program with a visit to Soka University and Q&A session after the game with Head Coach Wendy Espejel (blue hat). Right: visit and tour of UC Sandiego
Above, guest speaker Wendy Espejel, Soka University Women’s Head Coach leads our recruitment zoom session, providing invaluable insight into preparing our young student athletes to attend college as well as giving them the tools they need to be exposed to college coaches and play at the collegiate level.
SIFA Graduates
Where are they now?
Izabella Munoz: SIFA Graduate Attending
Cal State Fullerton!
Izabella first was recruited to play at Beach FC by Coach Billy and SIFA back in 2015. After 4 fun and competitive years of improvement, she was ready for the even higher club level, than at Beach FC with Coach Billy, so she amicably transferred to the ECNL level, where she prospered even more.
Unfortunately, she tore her ACL her senior year in high school, which was a huge disappointment, as she was being recruited by multiple colleges to continue her playing career. Nonetheless, congratulations is in order as she got accepted to and is currently
attending Cal State Fullerton! And as she is back to training! There is no doubt this warrior will be back on track and achieving her dream of playing at the collegiate level in no
time!
Estrella Velasco: SIFA Graduate attending
West LA College!
Estrella first joined Coach Billy (SIFA) and Beach FC in 2015 and had a phenomenal club career with us! With all of Estrella’s dedication, commitment and hard work throughout the years, we at SIFA can’t be
more proud of her that she is not only continuing her post high school education, but is realizing her dream of playing at the collegiate level at West LA College!
Estrella with Coach Billy and other SIFA
grads, Akanisi and Tariya after West LA’s 4-0 over Compton College, where Estrella scored her first collegiate goal!
Shown left to right, Akanisi , Madeline, Ashly (G2005’s)
Ultimately, once a student athlete has made the transition to the higher, more competitive level, with SIFA’s mentoring and guidance, and is now reaping the benefits of club soccer and SIFA, they will not only fulfill their true potential but grow into responsible young adults!
Estrella Velasco: A Pro Dream Come True!
SIFA couldn’t be prouder of one of our most veteran players, Estrella Velasco, for realizing her dream of playing professional soccer, in the Guatemalan league. SIFA first started sponsoring Estrella back in 2015, to play at the more competitive club level with Coach Billy and Beach FC and what a great journey it has been together! To witness Estrella, year after year, not only improve her game, but more importantly, see her personal growth off the field, as well, was a pure joy.
And after 9 years, we at SIFA could not have been more thrilled when Estrella became a First-generation college student by attending West LA College this past fall. But after completing a first successful semester there, an opportunity arose that she could not pass up! And off to Guatemala she went, to live a lifelong dream. It doesn’t get any better than seeing A SIFA family member achieve such a great accomplishment.
SIFA Sponsored Events
SIFA Teams Up with LAFG and LA Parks for Free Youth Soccer Clinic!
Once again, SIFA partnered with LAFG and LA Parks and Recreation Department, to host a free youth soccer clinic for the kids of East LA and nearby communities. And who were the coaches? None other than our dedicated SIFA players, volunteering their time to give back to the community!
We are incredibly proud of our SIFA athletes, who embraced the opportunity to mentor young players. As role models, they shared their expertise and passion for the beautiful game, teaching valuable skills both on and off the field. We’re excited to continue making a positive impact through soccer!
“It was great to see SIFA’s volunteer coaches’ enthusiasm and the positive way they related to the kids. I was equally impressed at how diligently they worked with each group and how they engaged with each player individually. You don’t often see that kind of maturity in teenagers”. – Joe Supe, CONCACAF Executive Director of Coaching & SIFA Clinic Supervisor
SIFA players being instructed before the clinic by CONCACAF instructor/coach Joe Supe of LA Futbol group.
SIFA players, Ashly, Glendy, and Idania leading their respective groups onto the field for a great day of skills and fun!
The first task for these young ones, know your coaches names! Leymee, Allison and Evelyn introducing themselves.
SIFA’s First Annual Rising Stars Showcase Game!
The best of inner-city High School Freshman, Sophomores and juniors were able to play in front of college coaches. The first of its kind event was not only successful in acknowledging these talented players for outstanding achievement during their season, but the interest from the college coaches, in many of our Rising Stars, was unprecedented.
Building Team Chemistry Through SIFA Sponsored Events
Through SIFA’s DEI Initiatives, we give our student athletes new opportunities to grow as young adults.
2023 Field Trip to a Women’s Soka University game, exposing our players to what is possible for their future collegiate endeavors.
Coach Sheldon’s West LA Community College Team which consists of predominantly underprivileged student athletes, participating in team building activities on Balboa Island, Newport Beach. Sponsored by SIFA
SIFA Sponsored Events since 2015, 8 years of giving student athletes memories that will last a lifetime.
Coach Billy with his team paddleboarding at Balboa Island, Newport Beach in 2015.
“One of our scholarship players broke her arm in the final of a tourney we were in. We ended up winning and instead of celebrating at the pizza place we reserved, we all went to the hospital to cheer up Victoria.”
— Coach Billy
“Billy, First and foremost, thank you for being the person who you are. The Velazco family is
indebted to you for giving Estrella the opportunity to showcase her skills and helping us out financially with the costs of club that rise every year. We personally would like to
thank you for always believing in Estrella and for always having that confidence in her
and in her game. It’s people like you who love the game and pass on that love and passion to help others is what makes it that more beautiful as a soccer fan to see people like you who go out of their way to help others. Thank you, Billy, extreme thanks for everything you’ve done for Estrella.”
-Big Joe Velasco (Estrella’s dad and founder of Impact Goalkeeping)
“I can’t thank Coach Billy enough for providing me the opportunity to play with our club team for the past 5 years. It was amazing how much fun we had, but we were always super competitive and moved up a flight, almost every year. The worst part is, now that I am graduating, I am really going to miss my teammates. But, the best part is, I am achieving my dream of playing collegiate soccer next year!”
— Akanisi (G2005)
“From the moment I arrived at our first game with coach Billy’s team, myself and daughter could not have felt more welcome. All the parents came up and introduced themselves to me and welcomed us to the team. My daughter interacted the same way with the players and felt included as part of the team from the minute she arrived. It was truly a breath of fresh air, from the many other teams we had joined, where unfortunately, it was not like this.”
— Estel, Daisy’s mom
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