Johanna Sanchez-Tebong
The Jewel of Soccer!
Born & raised in Houston by Mexican parents. Johanna grew up playing, watching and thinking about soccer all the time. She remembers at such an early age attending her Dad's Sunday soccer games and standing next to him as they held their winning trophy each season. Soccer, in Latin countries (and most parts of the world), is the main sport of their country. Johanna would play every day whether it be in the street, pick up games, or juggling the ball by herself.
Playing club soccer and Varsity for 4 years in high school, Johanna was determined to play professionally. As a first-generation college student, she knew that obtaining her Bachelor's was #1 on her list... and she could play soccer while doing so. She was invited to a Senior showcase at Georgetown University with 40 top Seniors in South Texas. However, didn't obtain a soccer scholarship, only academics. She did 2 years of community college and founded the first Women's soccer team at Lone Star College. She relationships she created there because of soccer she still maintains to this day. A former professional player from Bolivia approached her and asked if she had ever coached before. Johanna attended LSCM as a full-time student, played on the women's team she created, worked part-time at a bank, and coached on the weekends.
Once she got to SHSU she figured she'd walk on the team... she attended practices with the team and had a good feeling about making the team. Unfortunately, the Coach had another vision and her dreams were crushed. She figured her soccer dreams were over... if she couldn't play in college, she couldn't play pro, she would never play again. Instead of feeling defeated she applied to work for the HOUSTON DYNAMO, the first Major League Soccer team in Houston. She was hired right on as part of the Grassroots Marketing team. She was also the youngest USSF certified coach and had the opportunity to coach camps/clinics all throughout Houston. Johanna learned a lot about the components of putting a professional soccer game together - from media, travel, sports reporters, a fan’s experience etc.
After graduating from college in 2011, she made a huge change and moved to Dallas. Johanna was scared, excited, eager for change... she'd have to find a whole new circle of soccer friends. The best place to do that was... with FC Dallas - Major League Soccer. She was chosen out of 300 other candidates for the Youth Operations Coordinator position, yes, she also coached camps/clinics for them. She decided to pursue the USSF National D license (this certified her to coach in any high school/college in the nation). In her quest to work for a soccer club in DFW she quickly realized that many clubs were seeking a certified female soccer coach. After working for FC Dallas, Dallas Rush, she made the bold move to create her own soccer business.
In 2014 Skills4Soccer was born and Johanna had seasonal programs in Highland Park, did birthday party soccer sessions, and private sessions. S4S continued for nearly 2 years and in early 2016 decided to step away from coaching as her first child was to be born in the Summer. As a first-time Mom and not having any family in DFW she stepped away from coaching to work her full-time job as a Manager at LA Fitness + care for her child.
Over the years she had coached hundreds of kids throughout the DFW and Houston area of all races, ages, backgrounds - her biggest joy was being able to provide POSITIVE feedback to them. Watching them develop practice after practice and instill confidence -while enjoying the game.
Johanna missed coaching/soccer but was given the opportunity to work for Hawkeye performing VAR for MLS matches. Video Assistant Referee is the main video official whose main role is to check reviewable incidents and recommend an Official referee where a possible clear and obvious error has occurred. She was back on the field and enjoyed watching the professional games and listening to the referees during the match.
Johanna returned to coaching in 2019 with Soccer Shots. Her son was nearly 3 and it was perfect timing. She had the opportunity to coach his first soccer session. Soccer is a beautiful sport and many attributes can be learned from it such as teamwork, practice, setting goals, perseverance, healthy competition, fitness, and much more. Johanna posts soccer-related fitness videos on her Instagram for those who are experienced, never played, want to try something different. She's now a #player for Sphere based out of Houston, Coach for Soccer Shots, and Business Developer for Big Hit Creative.
Sphere -- https://www.sphere.club/
Soccer Shots DFW North - https://www.soccershots.org/dfwnorth/
Big Hit Creative - http://www.bighitcreative.com/
