Q&A with the GM

Q&A WITH THE GM

Stephen Bivens, Georgia Storm FC’s General Manager

A few question and answers from our GM, Stephen Bivens:

Why did you want to join Storm to start a Men’s Program?

I saw the opportunity to work with the leadership of Georgia Storm to bring a competitive men’s team to the club. I really wanted to make it a reality so that the soccer community of West Georgia could have a senior level team to support and be proud of. When I was growing up as a youth player in Douglasville and Carrollton, I never had a team to really look up to and learn from. I really think that giving the youth players something to aspire to will help them reach their goals and achieve their soccer dreams.

What has been your favorite part of the first year of the Men’s Program?

My favorite part of the first year was the goal the Gerard scored in the 93rd minutes of the U.S. Open Cup Qualifier. Our backs were against the wall and we were facing elimination when Gerard comes through with an incredible side volley finish to send the game to extra time. What a

What has been most challenging?

This was our first time really attempting many of the things involved in running an NPSL team, so we had to learn quickly how to do a game broadcast, recruit good players, travel well for games, grow the brand. I think we have done fairly well but we are focused on improving in each of those areas in the 2022 season.

Where do you see the club growing?

I see the club growing from the ground up. As a fully integrated club from age 3 to our men’s level (NPSL), I’m seeing tons of interest in being apart of the club and playing with us in 2022.

Did you enjoy also being able to play in the first year?

It was a pleasant surprise for sure because I had no intention of playing. I was recruiting two or three strikers to get the job done and for various reasons, each one of them backed out in the last minute. I hadn’t played competitively in about 5 years but fortunately, I had been training for several months so it wasn’t a huge problem for me to get match fit in a short time. Funny enough, it was probably my most successful year of playing in all my career. I’m grateful I was able to play and help contribute to Georgia Storm’s successful first season and I aim to do the same in the coming years only off the field.

What is your favorite professional team?

I’ve always been a Liverpool fan which at times is a roller coaster ride, however they are very exciting to watch in the last few years, so I’m loving that.

What advice do you have for Storm youth players?

Keep chasing your dreams. If you want to get to the next level, whatever that is, then spend as much time as you can preparing for it. One day you’ll be my age and wish you would have done more with your younger years. Set big goals and go achieve big goals.