Ocelots form partnership with Chevy Youth Soccer, hold camp
McALLEN — The RGV Ocelots FC announced a collaboration with Chevy Youth Soccer and is looking to form a partnership with the organization over the next four years after assisting in a youth soccer camp Oct. 18 and 19 at De Leon Soccer Complex in McAllen.
Ocelots FC owner Kru Kayan Sitsanthaparn, general manager John Cannon and coach Juannay Macias, along with goalkeeper Juan Gamboa and striker Juan Nava, were invited to form part of the coaching staff for the two-day event.
Gamboa and Nava are seniors on the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College Scorpions men’s squad and look to return with the newly named RGV Ocelots FC franchise for play in the Southern Premier Soccer League in 2011.
Dario Sala, goalkeeper for FC Dallas, and Pat Onstad, goalkeeper for the Houston Dynamo, made an appearance at the camp. Prior to this week’s event, the Rio Grande Valley had not been visited by a Major League Soccer player to participate in a large-scale event. Additionally, Jose Ricardo Lopez Tenorio served as coordinator of coaches. Lopez was part of the coaching staff of Salvadoran first-division club Deportivo Fas. Attendance was estimated at 400 participants.
“We are truly honored to have been considered and invited by Chevy Youth Soccer and Dario Sala to be a part of the coaching staff," Sitsanthaparn said. "It was a worthwhile learning experience for the children of the Valley, whom are our future soccer stars.
“For Ocelots FC, it was a flashback to the reason we starting playing soccer in the first place — to have fun. Given our schedules in preparation for the upcoming season, sharing our knowledge, a laugh, and a smile with the campers was a breath of fresh air.”
“Dario Sala, Pat Onstad, and coordinator of coaches, professor Jose Ricardo Lopez Tenorio, remained pleasantly surprised with the teaching ability shown by the Ocelot players and staff that collaborated with us,” said Jesus Padilla, camp director for the organization.
The organizations discussed future plans, which include another camp in Brownsville in 2011.
“To the Ocelots' credit, we request a future partnership with the Ocelots franchise, its staff and its players to assist us with our 2011 camps in McAllen and Brownsville,” Padilla added.
The RGV Ocelots are gearing up for their inaugural season with the SPSL. The Ocelots will kick off their season in April 2011.
