KICKOFF WEEKEND: Xolos Academy begins Presidio League
Xoloitzcuintles at Silver Lakes Summer Showcase
New Jersey Xolos Academy in national competition
Xoloitzcuintles in Manchester City Cup
OXNARD- Club Tijuana is always looking to expand its grassroots efforts through the community on both sides of the border. The Xoloitzcuintles continued with that commitment Saturday as the Xolos Academy FC newest youth soccer chapter officially opened in Ventura County.
Club Tijuana’s newest addition to the family is the Xolos Academy in Oxnard, Calif. More than 200 participants showed up for a day of tryouts with Xoloitzcuintles coaches from the academy in Chula Vista, Calif. and the “Fuerzas Basicas” or reserve teams in Tijuana.
Coaches took the young athletes through a series of drills and exercises to find talented players and showcase Club Tijuana’s coaching philosophy. Leading the coaches was youth system Director of Coaching Ignacio Ruvalcaba, who makes sure that philosophy is used on both sides of the border.
“These tryouts are held to teach what we do in our schools and affiliate programs,” Ruvalcaba said. “Opening this school in Oxnard has caused a lot of expectations. Our coaches are happy, the people heading the project in Oxnard are very happy. People can now be sure that this is an official Club Tijuana school and I think this can be a successful program over here. The idea is to keep growing and expanding in the United States but we have to do it correctly and efficiently.”
Xolos Academy coaches Rene Ortiz and Raul Ortiz also participated in the tryouts that included players in the Under-8 to Under-11 categories participating in the morning session. Players in the Under-12 to Under-14 groups tried out in the afternoon.
Those participating in the tryouts also received a treat Saturday. Club Tijuana’s official mascot the Xolo Mayor paid a visit at Southwest Community Park. The mascot posed for pictures and autographed Xoloitzcuintles items as children and their families enjoyed the moment. The Xolo Mayor’s presence at the event is also a testament of Club Tijuana’s commitment to the academy in Oxnard.
Xolos Academy FC Administrator Ramon Vazquez talked about the importance of having this event to open up the Oxnard chapter.
“We are very happy and excited to have extended our commitment to Oxnard,” Vazquez said. “We welcome everyone who is involved with this project and we are pleased to be part of it. We expect only but the best out of our coaches in Oxnard and they have our full support.”
Practices will be held throughout the week. For more details about the Oxnard chapter contact coach Arturo Torres or Fernando Vazquez:
Arturo Torres:
(805) 612-5382
E-mail: arturo.torres@xolosacademy.com
Fernando Vazquez
(805) 857-4145
E-mail: fernando.vazquez@xolosacademy.com
