"As much as I'm coaching for free, these guys are paying a lot of money," Onjiko said. "I used to keep sharing with my wife how I'm almost depressed, coaching these players in this kind of situation."
"I realized that there was not just a high demand," Onjiko said, "but a lack of quality coaching, affordable soccer, or people that just really care about player development," he said."
Robert Sifa Onjiko, a 32-year-old Somerville resident and Kenyan native, volunteered as a coach in semi-professional soccer but grew frustrated with the local pay-to-play model charging adult players $1,500–$3,000 per season without guaranteed playing time, quality coaching, or injury coverage. He left semi-professional coaching to focus on youth development and found many former players seeking alternatives. Conversations revealed a gap in post-youth soccer options. Onjiko and his wife, Alesandra Grace Onjiko, developed a plan to create Somerville United FC to provide affordable adult soccer, consistent playing opportunities, quality coaching, and continued player development.
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