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Aztex To Play Fundraiser Against Haitian Men's National Team

April 19, 2010 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Austin Aztex News Release


AUSTIN, Texas (www.austinaztex.com) - At about 5 p.m. on January 12, the nation of Haiti shook to its very core - literally. A 7.0 magnitude earthquake rocked the island nation, decimating it and all its inhabitants.

Victimized along with the loss of more than 230,000 people and three million displaced residents was the Haitian Football Association, whose building collapsed in the quake, killing 32 of its members - including two coaches.

Since then, the Haitian men's national team has been searching for a permanent home as thousands of Haiti's residents are living in their stadium and on their pitch.

For two weeks, Central Texas serves to fill that void.

Through a church group connection, the Haitian national team finds themselves in Texas for training and a series of friendly matches. At 7:30 p.m. on April 28, House Park and the Aztex play host to the squad.

In its two weeks in Central Texas, Haiti has already taken up friendlies with FC Dallas and Trinity University. The scrimmage with the unbeaten Aztex is the last before they leave Texas on May 1 to travel to Buenos Aires to play Argentina's national team.

"From a personal point of view, having visited Haiti just before the tragic earthquake, I am delighted to help in any way we can," Aztex Head Coach Adrian Heath said. "The visit had a profound effect on me. I can't even imagine how difficult life must be for them right now."

To promote the friendly with the Aztex, the Haitian national team will also be at Austin's next match on April 25 against the Rochester Rhinos where they will be honored at halftime.

The friendly on April 28 is free to all fans, though the Aztex are asking each fan who attends to make a donation to the Haiti Earthquake fund. Collections will be available at House Park on the night of the game. All proceeds from the match will go directly to the relief effort.

"The week I spent there was a fantastic week. The people were tremendous, very friendly and all the kids were full of optimism and love soccer," Heath said. "If this helps just 1% of the people affected, then I'm more than delighted that the Aztex are able to help."

In addition to monetary donations, the Aztex and Virgo Sports are beginning their partnership at the Aztex-Haiti match. Virgo Sports will be on hand to collect any and all gently used soccer cleats, gear or equipment and redistribute it to those in need. All collections on April 28 will go directly to children in Haiti.

Bins will also be available throughout the season for fans to donate their used gear to lesser privileged children throughout the world.



USL First Division Stories from April 19, 2010


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