Austin Aztex News Release – www.austinaztex.com
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
AUSTIN, TX — The Austin Aztex announced that it has formed a strategic alliance with Club de Futbol Monterrey, better known as Rayados (the striped ones). Founded in 1945, Club de Futbol Monterrey is the oldest professional soccer club in northern Mexico and plays in the Mexican Primera Division, the highest level of soccer in Mexico.
“We have been working on the potential of this alliance for several months,” said Austin Aztex FC President Phil Rawlins. “I’m very pleased that today we can make an official announcement. Club de Futbol Monterrey is one of the most respected clubs in Mexico, with a great history. We are delighted that they have chosen to partner with us in such a significant way. I said when we launched the Aztex that one of our priorities was to partner with a top class Mexican club. Today, we have delivered on that promise.”
“We have been looking to create a strategic relationship in the United States for some time,” said Prof. Nicolás Martellotto Rolfo, Director of Fuerzas Basicás for Club de Futbol Monterrey. We identified Texas as the right area for us. The Austin Aztex is the kind of club that we want to be aligned with, especially with their emphasis on developing young players. I know that Rayados have a lot of fans in Austin. I hope that our fans will now adopt the Aztex as their local club and support them like they have supported us through the years.”
The alliance between the two clubs includes the following:
– Austin Aztex FC will act as a feeder club for young talent to Club de Futbol Monterrey.
– Austin Aztex FC will proactively scout in Central and Southern Texas for talented young players for Club de Futbol Monterrey.
– Club de Futbol Monterrey will provide up to a maximum of two players to play for the Austin Aztex FC squad each season.
– Austin Aztex FC players will have the opportunity to go on loan to Club de Futbol Monterrey.
– Club de Futbol Monterrey will come to Austin for exhibition games with Austin Aztex FC.
– Club de Futbol Monterrey will host a youth team from Austin area for a week each year.
– Club de Futbol Monterrey coaches will participate in Austin Aztex FC Summer Soccer Camps.
– The two clubs will have reciprocal links on their respective websites.
– Austin Aztex FC will have the opportunity to do their pre-season training in Monterrey.
– Coaches from Austin Aztex FC will have the opportunity to go to Monterrey and “shadow” the Club de Futbol Monterrey coaching staff for a week each year.
– Best practices will be shared between the two clubs.
The club also announced upcoming tryouts for its inaugural USL First Division team set to begin play in 2009.
Due to an expected high turnout, the Aztex will hold two regional tryouts – the first in California in January followed by a second session back in Austin scheduled for February.
The California tryout will take place on January 10-11, 2009 at Oxnard College in Oxnard, California. The Austin tryout, which will allow Central Texas soccer players the first-ever opportunity to try and play professionally for the hometown team, will be held February 7-8, 2009 at St. Edward’s University.
All players who make the squad will receive national exposure during games broadcast on Fox Soccer Channel, as well as have the opportunity to develop and potentially pursue a career in Europe with the affiliations of Aztex team owner Phil Rawlins, who is part owner of Stoke City in the English Premier League, and head coach Adrian Heath, who played 18 years professionally in Europe.
“For someone who may have been injured or just thinks he can play professional soccer at a high level, this is a great opportunity to show off his skills,” said Heath, who will oversee both tryouts. “We are expecting a good turnout and hope to pick up a couple players from the tryouts.”
WHAT: California Tryouts WHAT: Austin Tryouts
WHERE: Oxnard, California WHERE: Austin, Texas
WHEN: January 10-11, 2009 WHEN: February 7-8, 2009
For more information including an online application for each tryout: http://www.austinaztex.com/tryouts/index_E.html
