Volunteer Spotlight: Coach Ron Stevenson – A Life Built Around Soccer

At Coastal FC, we are proud of our volunteers who give their time and passion to the game. One of our long-time volunteers is Ron Stevenson, a coach whose love for soccer started many years ago in England and has only grown stronger with time.

Falling in Love with the Game

Ron grew up in England, where "football" was the main sport. From a young age, he played and watched the game. "I fell in love with soccer when I was a kid, and I still love it today," Ron says. "Even at my old age, I enjoy giving back to the game that gave me so much." Coaching young players and watching them have fun and improve brings Ron great joy. He jokes about being a Tottenham Hotspur fan, saying, "Someone has to be! But sometimes, the way they play makes me upset!"

Joining Coastal FC

Ron moved to British Columbia in 1981. When flying to Canada, he remembers worrying more about finding a soccer team to play for than about finding a job! A true soccer fanatic, he played for the White Rock and Peace Arch clubs, which later merged to form Coastal FC. As his three children grew up, Ron started coaching and refereeing. He took coaching and referee courses, always looking for ways to learn and give back. Today, Ron coaches his granddaughters and grandsons, helps with Friday Academy sessions, and supports other teams when needed. "There were weekends where I barely saw my wife because I was coaching, refereeing, and playing," Ron laughs. Luckily, his wife Joanne has always supported him, even travelling with him to the 1994 World Cup in California and, just last summer, to the 2024 Euros in Germany.

Special Memories from Coaching

One of Ron’s best memories is organizing tournaments for his younger son’s U14 team. They raised money and played in Bellingham, Kelowna, and even San Diego, winning two tournaments. The highlight was travelling to England with 35 players and parents to compete in Arsenal’s tournament. The team also played in Manchester and won there too! "Sometimes I bump into these players, they are about 31 years old now, and they still thank me." Ron says with a smile.

Why Volunteer?

Ron’s journey as a volunteer started because of his kids' love for soccer. He wanted to help and decided to get involved by taking coaching and referee courses. "As I got older and playing soccer became harder, coaching was a way to stay involved," he explains. "Helping kids grow and seeing their progress is really special." Ron believes coaches have a big, positive impact on young players, helping guide them not only in soccer but also in life.

A Lifetime at Coastal FC

Ron has been with the club since the early 1980s. He has seen Coastal FC grow, change names, and work hard to build a safe and welcoming place for players. "It’s so rewarding to see young players grow into responsible adults," he says. "That’s the best part." Ron also supports Coastal’s walking soccer program on Thursdays, showing that there is always a way to stay active in the game you love.

Life Beyond Soccer

When Ron isn’t coaching, you’ll still find him doing something active, walking, biking, swimming, and running once a week. He loves camping with his family and taking care of jobs around the house. Ron worked for 30 years at Peace Arch Hospital, where he began in maintenance and progressed to Chief Engineer, then Supervisor, and ultimately Manager.

Favourite Soccer Moments

Ron is a lifelong supporter of Tottenham Hotspur. His soccer heroes include Jimmy Greaves and Glenn Hoddle. One of his favourite memories was watching Tottenham win the 1980 FA Cup Final against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium. Over the years, he also played soccer with Ramsgate FC in England, Scarborough in Ontario, and White Rock/Peace Arch in British Columbia. 

Coastal FC is lucky to have volunteers like Ron, who bring a lifetime of passion, experience, and energy to our club. Thank you, Ron, for everything you do!