Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Ruiz.
Hi Jennifer, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My love for the game started when I was just 7 years old and it has never stopped. I was born into a soccer-loving family, and I started playing when I asked my parents if I could join the girls soccer team at my school, Foreign Language Academy. I was a quiet girl but soccer helped me make friends.
As I grew older, I only ever played recreational soccer through my schools’ programs up until 8th grade. I began to recognize the challenges that come with being an aspiring athlete when the constant question of “what do you want to be when you grow up?” popped up. People laughed when I said I wanted to be a professional soccer player.
With little knowledge about the opportunities available for young footballers in America, I often felt lost. But my love for the game kept me going. It was the compass that guided my path. I didn’t love anything as much as I loved this sport so I kept playing and playing to see where it would take me. I trusted the ball.
That passion opened the door to a full-ride collegiate scholarship, introduced me to the world of coaching at both the grassroots and club levels, and most importantly, connected me to an incredible community.
Along my journey, I’ve been inspired by many people, but my perspective on the game truly shifted when I crossed paths with Eddie Johnson (EJE7) — the former MLS and U.S. National Team player — and my college coach, David Owens. Through both of them, I began to understand the real impact a great coach can have on a player’s life.
I was especially moved by the work Eddie was doing for young athletes. I decided to reach out, share my story, and he invited me down to Florida to train with him and the group of aspiring players he supported. There were athletes of all ages and backgrounds, all chasing the same dream. I was actually one of the oldest in the group at that time.
EJE7’s influence lit a fire in me. When I returned to Kansas City, I kept pushing — not necessarily chasing a pro contract anymore, but simply trusting the game and letting it guide me. That mindset is what led to my next major opportunity. I contacted countless college coaches, hoping someone would come watch me play. Only one did: David Owens, from Metropolitan Community College. And right there, on the spot, he offered me a chance and I took it.
From there, I gradually worked my way into the world of coaching. I’ve had the privilege of working with a wide range of organizations — Soccer Shots, the American Youth Soccer Organization, Sporting KC, the KC Current, Boys & Girls Club, Kansas City Public Schools, Guadalupe Centers, and many more groups dedicated to supporting their youth through sport. Through these experiences, I’ve had the honor of influencing thousands of children.
The love and support I received from these organizations, the families, and most importantly the players, meant everything to me. I felt so connected to the community and to the impact we were creating that I decided it needed a name — something that represented the movement that had already begun. That’s how JR7 Footballers Club Kansas City was born. A movement rooted in purpose, growth, and belief.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There were definitely personal struggles along the way. Mental health was the biggest one and I didn’t realize how important it was until I was in college. As a student-athlete working full-time overnight shifts, I often felt overwhelmed trying to keep up with everything on my plate because i wanted to be successful. I eventually burnt myself out.
Thanks to my collegiate coaches; Coach Dave, Coach Chris, Coach Chelsea, and Coach Brad, I felt supported, understood, and seen. Their care helped me open up about the importance of mental health. I decided to take a break from college to focus on my mental health.
After this experience, I wanted to break the stigma and shed light on an issue so many of us athletes quietly battle. Now I am a proud advocate for Mental Health.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about JR7 Footballers Club Kansas City ?
As a first-generation Mexican American, born and raised in the heart of Kansas City, I developed both my love for the game and an understanding of the challenges many young athletes face. My family’s story taught me the value of hard work, perseverance, and embracing every opportunity; lessons that continue to guide me as I help the next generation chase their dreams.
JR7 Footballers Club is built on the belief that hard work and commitment can open doors. Our mission is to guide young athletes toward those opportunities. We focus on uplifting underrepresented players and young dreamers chasing more.
We offer private training, group sessions, pick-up style programs, non-school day soccer camps, and free pop-up sessions in the community. We bring a unique blend of both grassroots and competitive training. Everything is led by JR7 (me), along with a team of experienced, certified and JR7 mentored coaches who share the same passion for developing youth; ALL AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE. Community comes first!
We don’t see ourselves as competing with other programs; instead, we bring them together. Our goal is to create an environment where JR7 athletes can learn from club coaches, college coaches, and any passionate, qualified coach willing to inspire our kids and help open doors for them. That’s what JR7 strives for; opportunity, access, and belief.
JR7 Footballers Club also supports new coaches with free mentorship to help them get started in the coaching world. Many coaches are thrown into the field with little preparation or guidance, and some simply don’t know where to begin. I know that struggle firsthand, and that’s why I’m committed to opening the door for them as well.
What are your plans for the future?
Right now, I’m focusing on my developing my coaching career at Sporting City (North Region). I’m committed to continuously learning from the incredible coaches there, and I’m especially grateful to Diego and Tyler for supporting my coaching journey there. Alongside that, I’m also pouring my energy into growing the JR7 movement through JR7 Footballers Club Kansas City and working with other supports to help shed light on this opportunity for players of all ages and skill levels. We do not do online registration, we believe every player deserves a real connection, not just another sign-up page. If anyone is interested in joining our initiative, they can just send me an email at [email protected]
Our initiative is built on community and supporting each family. To keep our environment personal and
intentional we do not offer direct online enrollment. If you’d like to get involved and learn more, contact us
directly and schedule your free in-person session today!
One thing I’ve learned through all of this is the importance of being present, focusing on the now and trusting that this sport will continue to inspire the next goal.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jr7footballersclubkc.my.canva.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jr7footballersclubkc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/JR7-Footballers-Club-Kansas-City/61581648969931/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-ruiz-jr7footballersclubkc
- Other: coachup.com/me/jr7footballersclubkc
