About

At Ridgeplay Academy, soccer is more than a sport - it’s a place to grow, to be challenged, and to discover what you’re truly capable of. Led by founder and head coach Rado Stefanov, our program blends technical training, tactical understanding, and personal development, all in an environment where kids are encouraged to take risks, learn from mistakes, and find joy in the game.

Rado brings nearly a decade of coaching experience in San Francisco, working with SF Vikings SC, SF Aftershocks, and as Program Manager for Street Soccer USA, where he helped lead the Shared Schoolyard Project and other initiatives that brought the game to hundreds of kids in schools and community centers - from Marina and Francisco Middle Schools to the Boys & Girls Club, Glide SF, Tenderloin Rec Center, and more. Often, this meant creating opportunities in under-resourced neighborhoods where quality training was rare.

SFVSC B14 Red Jaguars  - Fall 2024

In 2020, he joined SF Vikings SC, where he currently coaches multiple competitive teams and serves as Head Coach for both the boys’ and girls’ soccer teams at Presidio Middle School, guiding them to playoff runs in his first year. He has also played with the SF Vikings SC men’s team and the historic San Francisco Hibernian FC, experiences that deepened his connection to the competitive side of the game.

Ridgeplay Academy carries all of this forward - creating a space where kids not only develop sharper footwork and smarter decisions, but also build confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love for the game.