Central Texas Lobos announced their new partnership with Club America’s youth academy program and official football schools, “Nidos Aguila”, in Tepic Nayarit. In Nidos Aguila, Club America works with proprietary training methodology, with which have forged great players and has had great successes during its 98 years of existence. This program is an extension of the reserve forces of Club America and has the main objective of forming players with a Club America profile.
Club America has stated, “Nidos Aguila are integrated into our sports integration project, and this program started in January 2012 with a series of tournaments and scouting combines that are part of the benefits as an official subsidiary. If you want to get to play one day in America, this is the best start.”
Through the partnership, Central Texas Lobos will provide expanded opportunities for soccer players in the Central Texas region, as well as opportunities to players in Nayarit. Lobos President David Walding wanted the partnership to provide opportunities for its premier players, while also supporting youth development. The Nidos Aguila school in Tepic, Nayarit, begun in 2018, was a perfect fit since it focuses on a region of Mexico that has been traditionally underserved (similar to the Lobo’s “Academy Paraiso” program in Honduras).
Walding noted that the partnership began “unofficially” prior to the Copa Internidos youth tournament in Mexico City on November 17-19, 2018. Copa Internidos brings U13-19 academy teams from the Nidos Aguila schools from across Mexico, the United States, Colombia, and Costa Rica, together for competition in Mexico City where players are scouted and trained by Club America staff. Lobos Youth Academy player and recent graduate of LBJ High School in Austin, Jose Mejia, Jr., began training with Nidos Aguila Nayarit in early November in preparation for the tournament.
The director of Nido Aguila Nayarit, Salvador Rodriguez, subsequently extended an invitation to Walding to attend the Copa Internidos in Mexico City, meet with representatives of Club America, and discuss terms of the partnership. Walding assisted while Jose Mejia, Jr. participated with Nido Aguila Nayarit’s U19 team in the Copa Internidos 2018 (Jose has remained in Mexico for the near future to continue training with Nidos Aguila). While some specifics will still need to be finalized over the coming weeks, the Walding and Rodriguez agreed on the final basic criteria of the partnership the day after Walding’s return to Austin, Texas.
Walding stated, “It was important to me that the partnership benefit the Lobos in youth development, as well as with our premier team in the Gulf Coast Premier League. Also, I wanted to make sure that we did not overlook our program in Honduras, and provided some opportunities for those players as well. Most of the discussions revolved around the requirements and restrictions of the Mexican Soccer Federation, and the unique issues with Central Texas Lobos and Academy Paraiso players with international travel, and visas. We are excited that we reached a partnership agreement and can now provide resources to grow soccer in the south Austin area, and ultimately provide a pathway for every player to develop to his or her full potential.”
While full details are not yet disclosed, Walding stated that the agreement includes training, player exchanges, and tournament participation. For example, the Lobos will soon announce plans for a joint scouting combine in Mexico in late January, and both clubs are working on specifics for a summer youth program in Tepic Nayarit, available to the Lobos Youth Academy and, space permitting, other residents of Travis and Hays County.
For more information on Central Texas Lobos and tryouts, please visit www.CenTexLobos.com or contact David Walding at 512-409-5263. More information on the Nidos Aguila academy program is available at www.clubamerica.com.mx/escuelas/nidos-aguila .
