Meet Boris Teoharevic of Real Salt Lake Arizona Soccer Club in North Phoenix

Today we’d like to introduce you to Boris Teoharevic.

Boris, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Have been involved in soccer since five years old. Signed pro contract as a 17-year-old. “Life” stopped my playing carrier early, and I am coaching since (past 20 years), and trying to the best I can.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Injuries, war, immigration, raising a family while finishing school and getting certified…Had a very long journey to where I am now and would not change it for anything.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
As a soccer coach, I am focused on working with very young players:7-11 years old. Trying to change the soccer culture, one parent and one young player at the time.

 Looking to not just to make players fall in love with the most beautiful game, but also to influence his/hers (parents and players) daily routine and thought process by becoming a valid “world citizen”. We are traveling (even outside the country), testing different cultures and expanding our horizons.

 I use this platform to make a difference in the lives of people around me and to show my young players that they can make the difference too. We helped building houses in Mexico, fed homeless, assisted local and international charities….

 Major accomplishments:

 -married 23 years with two children

 – Worked with Hope 4 Kids, Mission 1, Feed The Starving Children, St. Vincent de Paul, IRC, and many more assisting and leading programs.

 – Raised funds and opened the well with clean water in remote village Apuwai, Uganda. Now well is serving 700 students and the rest of the community, providing safe and clean water.

 – Established first organized GIRLS Soccer Team in North-Eastern part of Uganda (girls were not allowed to participate in soccer before). As of right now, there is a girls-only soccer league running in the region.

 – Climbed Kilimanjaro

What were you like growing up?
I grew up in Belgrade, Serbia. Played soccer in the best European Youth Soccer Academy. Soccer was my priority. Outside of that, I was just another kid with little too much energy. As 18 year old, serving the military was on the front Ines during the 91′ war in Yugoslavia. Had many issues to recover from losing father at the same time and spend years of “soul searching”. Started the family and moved across the ocean and started a new life. After years and years of struggle, working all kinds of jobs, three college degrees, we are here today to tell some stories…

Contact Info:

• Address: 215 E. McKinley Street STE 206
  Phoenix, AZ
  85004
• Website: rslaz.org
• Phone: 6025612787
• Email: borisoccer@yahoo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/borisoccer/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boris.teoharevic/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Teohar
• Other: http://www.littleschoolofsoccer.com

Suggest a story: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.