Mission: Developing confidence and character through soccer.

Vision: To get the world playing soccer by teaching and promoting the game. I Got Skills will provide exceptional coaching, encourage free play, and help build soccer facilities and public places where everyone has the opportunity to play.

Our Story

I Got Skills began in 2008 with a simple vision: to promote and improve the game of soccer.

Founder Jason Popkin launched Hawaii Street Soccer and created Monday in the Lot, a weekly pickup street soccer game played in a parking lot near Kapiolani Park. The game later moved to Wilson Park, where it continued to bring players together through creativity, competition, and a shared love for soccer.

Over the years, Monday in the Lot has welcomed talented street soccer players and freestylers from around the world. Some members of the original group still play together today and are now helping coach and inspire the next generation.

In 2011, Jason recognized a growing need for greater individual technical development. Hawaii Street Soccer became I Got Skills, and the organization launched its first youth soccer camp.

From the beginning, the focus was different. Rather than treating every player the same, I Got Skills emphasized individual needs and development. Our programs combine a fun, positive atmosphere with purposeful, structured training that gives players the freedom to be creative, try new things, and learn from their mistakes.

We help players develop the technical and tactical skills needed to play with confidence. Training may include:

• Footwork, moves, and turns
• Dribbling, passing, and receiving
• Shooting and finishing
• Heading and ball control
• Movement away from the ball
• Awareness, vision, and decision-making
• Speed, strength, coordination, and agility

But I Got Skills has always been about more than soccer skills.

We use the game to help young people develop confidence, character, resilience, creativity, and a lifelong desire to learn. We believe players perform at their best when they feel supported, challenged, and free to express themselves.

Since its beginning, I Got Skills has continued to promote the game through youth camps, technical training, pickup games, small-sided tournaments, leagues, futsal, and other opportunities for people to play.

What started as a weekly street soccer game has grown into a community united by one belief:

Soccer has the power to develop confident players, strong character, and lasting relationships.

Hear From Our Families

Nothing tells our story better than the players and families who have experienced I Got Skills firsthand.

Read testimonials from parents, players, and alumni who have been part of our journey

–>testimonials