In February 2017, Street Soccer USA -SF Bay Area excitedly announced its newest Advisory Board Member, Philip Jones. Philip was introduced to our organization as a Street Soccer USA Young Adult Program Participant, and is currently engaging on a deeper level as a Youth Program Head Coach in the Tenderloin. Philip lives the Street Soccer USA ethos every day, does an excellent job upholding the values of the organization, and is excited to assume a leadership position on the Advisory Board. SF Bay Area’s Ben Anderson sat down with Philip to learn more about his perspective on the opportunity.
What has participation with Street Soccer USA (SSUSA) meant to you?
For me it’s been really important to be part of a team – get comfortable working with other people to enrich each others’ lives and build our skills to gain confidence and belief in myself.
What’s your most memorable moment as an SSUSA Program Participant?
The moment I got selected for the US National Team to compete in the Homeless World Cup in Glasgow, Scotland. I was at the National Cup in Philadelphia at the base of the Rocky Steps, and when I heard my name called and got that medal it meant everything to me!
What do you hope to accomplish and how can you contribute by being a member of the SSUSA – SF Bay Area Advisory Board?
I hope to bring my own personal experience as a program participant and coach to help grow the organization. I offer a valuable perspective from that standpoint, and want to utilize it to increase the impact SSUSA can have – get more people out there and engage deeper with them. I want to be able to share my own personal story with every participant, as I feel like I can relate to them through my own life experiences.
If there is one sentiment you could leave with current and future SSUSA participants, what would that be?
There is community here. Keep your head up and stick with it, good times and bad – you’ll get the support you need to learn, grow and keep getting better.
What SSUSA Skill do you relate most to and why?
Show Up! It’s the most fundamental skill of them all. For me, if I’m going to do something, I’m going to do it wholeheartedly – be on time, and put my all into it! It’s such an important skill that everyone needs on and off the pitch!
To learn more about Philip’s story, click HERE