March 3, 2012
Taos Rush Soccer Club is proud to announce its status as a partner club in Rush Soccer, the world’s largest youth soccer club. Rush Soccer has 35,000 youth members around the globe, with the common goal of advancing youth participation in recreational and competitive soccer. We welcome Taos Rush as a fantastic compliment to Taos Eco Park and the northern New Mexico community!
Read the full article published in Rush Soccer online:
Rush Add Partner in Taos, New Mexico
Rush Soccer has been in discussions with community leaders for just about four months with the intent to bringing Rush soccer to Taos, New Mexico.
Taos is a small budding community. Taos County includes the Towns of Taos, Ranchos de Taos,
Questa, Penansco, Taos Pueblo, Arroyo Hondo, Arroyo Seco, Chamisa and has a population of about 33,000, with Colfax County including Angel Fire, Cimarron, Raton with a population of about 13,000. The Hispanic, Anglo and tribal cultures of these towns form a tight sense of community and wonderful culture that is known for its hospitality, world class artists and eclectic lifestyle. The plans are to have both competitive and recreational players estimating 700 players in the very near future.
Rush BOD Chairman, Mr. Jérôme de Bontin was and remains to be the catalyst behind the scenes.
“Jérôme is connected to the soccer community both in the U.S and Internationally. He knows how to get things done and brings instant credibility,” Tim Schulz,President & C.E.O. of Rush Soccer says.
Jérôme adds, “I am proud to be part of this step in bringing Rush Soccer to Taos. I have been a part of this community for some time now and I am always eager to contribute where I can especially in the development of our youth. Soccer is a healthy life style andconnecting Rush to help the children of this community is natural fit.
Justin Lea, President Taos Rush said, “The Taos soccer community hopes to contribute back to Rush as much as we believe we will receive through this affiliation.”
The clubs Managing Director/Executive Director Joel Israel states, “We are very proud to become a part of Rush Soccer. Taos is a special place to live and visit, so we look forward to sharing Taos with the Rush Soccer family. Taos Eco Park* was recently built to host high altitude training camps and tournaments, so we were looking for a premier soccer club to compliment the long range vision of building Taos as a world class training grounds. Rush Soccer is a perfect fit for Taos with its reputation as a world class soccer club on an international level”.
Rush Soccer already has a presence in Albuquerque, N.M. and according to the Licensing Services Agreement can only operate one franchise per state unless the existing club grants permission to allow operations for another Rush Club. Taos Rush has been granted a 40 miles radius territory to operate within.
* Taos Eco Park boasts 1 of only 4 FIFA 2 Star Certified synthetic soccer fields in the United States. Only the NE Revolution, NY Red Bulls and Portland Timbers can claim the same quality pitch that is installed at Taos Eco Park. At 7,000 feet in altitude, Taos Eco Park is a perfect venue for high altitude training for soccer teams at all levels of competition. The park has only been open for 10 months and has already played host to recreational and competitive youth clubs, NCAA Men’s and Women’s teams, as well as the Rwanda U17 National Team Training Camp prior to their Group Stage at the FIFA World Cup Finals in Pachuca, MX, in June, 2011. Currently, there is 1 FIFA 2 Star Certified synthetic field with a second field that will be built in 2012/2013 and third and final field anticipated to be constructed by 2013/2014 to complete the park. Taos Eco Park is also fully sustainable in irrigation and power supply, with a 60kw solar array that went online in February, 2012, producing far more power to the electric grid than it will ever possibly consume. Lights by MUSCO for evening play, a storage and restroom building, a 1/3 mile walking/jogging track and bleachers that hold 500 people round out the current offerings at the park.