Austin Aztex Partner with Lonestar SC on USSF Development Academy Level
January 21, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Austin Aztex News Release
AUSTIN, Texas (Wednesday, January 21, 2015) - The Austin Aztex and Lonestar Soccer Club have announced a joint partnership bringing the two organizations closer, enhancing the Lonestar SC USSF Development Academy and delivering a Zone 4 opportunity for youth players in Austin, TX.
The USSF Development Academy is one of the highest tiers in the grand scheme of player development in the world of soccer. It is a key step in the Player Development Pyramid, for elite youth soccer players. The Player Development Pyramid describes a fully integrated soccer program that provides every level of play ranging from recreational through the various youth levels to the professional level.
"USL Pro expects its member clubs to develop or align with an existing academy. MLS even mandates it," said Aztex CEO Rene van de Zande. "Tie this in with the Aztex mission to develop young professional players and our ambition to bring MLS to Austin in the future, and we are very excited about this opportunity to partner with Lonestar's USSF Development Academy."
In Austin, Lonestar SC operates the only USSF Development Academy program, in addition to recreational and select soccer for youth players ranging in ages from U4 to U19 dating back to 2004. The Austin Aztex started in the Premier Development League (PDL) in 2012, and will begin their inaugural season as a professional soccer franchise in March 2015. The Aztex benefitted from the talents of many former Lonestar players during their run to the PDL championship in 2013, and have seen a few of these players selected by MLS teams during each of the last three drafts.
"It is for these reasons that Lonestar and the Austin Aztex looked to forge a more formal relationship," Lonestar President Buck Baccus said. "It was the natural evolution of our relationship."
To this end, Austin Aztex and Lonestar have entered into a strategic partnership, unique to Austin. The partnership is based on the philosophy that together the Austin Aztex and Lonestar complete the player development pyramid. Together, Austin Aztex and Lonestar will endeavor to improve the game of soccer for the benefit of each and every soccer player in the community. The Aztex will serve as an advisor to the Lonestar USSF DA Program, specifically on the U16s and U18s age levels. The partnership will build a pathway for Lonestar players who wish to and are capable of pursuing a professional career.
The partnership will not prohibit other Austin-area youth soccer clubs and players from working with the Aztex on youth soccer levels below the USSF Development Academy tier.
"Being on top of Austin's Player Development Pyramid, the Aztex look forward to being a resource to each youth club in the region," Van De Zande said. "With our arrival in Austin, the Pyramid is complete and each party in the Pyramid has an opportunity to build something special together for the greater Austin soccer community."
"It is an exciting day for Lonestar as we take another positive step forward," Baccus said. "Thank you to the Austin Aztex and their leadership team for brining 'the beautiful game' to Central Texas and working with us to provide clear, definable pathways for youth players seeking to play soccer at the professional level.
The Aztex continue to build relationships with soccer clubs of all levels. In November 2014, the Aztex announced an affiliation with Major League Soccer's Columbus Crew SC and then announced a cooperation agreement with Brazil's Coritiba FC earlier this month.
The Aztex kick off their preseason versus Major League Soccer's D.C. United in the ATX Pro Challenge, a four-team tournament featuring MLS Squads D.C. United, Columbus Crew SC, and FC Dallas. For more information on the ATX Pro Challenge, visit www.austinaztex.com/atxprochallenge.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from January 21, 2015
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- Jimmy Turner Returns for 2015 USL PRO Season - Orange County SC
- Toronto FC Announces USL PRO Team, Toronto FC II - Toronto FC II
- Austin Aztex Partner with Lonestar SC on USSF Development Academy Level - Austin Aztex
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- Red Bulls Announce USL PRO Team - USL
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