Mindanao-based Davao Aguilas Football Club (DAFC), along with LA Galaxy coaches Wes Meadows, Job Quevedo and Chris Howe, had their first Youth Football Day at McKinley Stadium, at Bonifacio Global City (BGC), last weekend.
Over 100 kids, with ages ranging from 8-16, got to participate in the free event hosted by Davao Aguilas FC. The kids represented various schools in Metro Manila such as Don Bosco Tech Institute Makati, Letran Manila, Paco Catholic School, PAREF Woodrose School, Saint Pedro Poveda College, San Beda College Alabang, East Rembo Elementary School, Global Leaders International School, St. Anthony School Manila and La Salle Greenhills.
The LA Galaxy coaches, along with Davao Aguilas FC coaches and players Marko Trkulja, Matthew Hartmann, Jordan Jarvis, Gerald Layumas, Princeton Josue, Stephen Burda, Kim Versales, Brad McDonald, Richard Talaroc and Andy Esswein, ran the said event.
Head Coach Marlon Maro, who is currently in Taiwan for the CTFA International Tournament, says, “It is a good start for Davao Aguilas FC to develop international cooperation with a big club like LA Galaxy. At the same time, helping Philippine football in the development of young footballers.”
Maro continues, “Events such as this one also showcases the technical capability of the club in finding future footballers in the country.”
LA Galaxy Coach Wes Meadows on the other hand says, “It has been great to partner up with Davao Aguilas, their staff, and players as well. Obviously for us, with 100 kids being here, we needed additional staff, and they have been very accommodating. It is great to work out and have this activity with a club here locally.”
As for the participants, Coach Meadows had this to say, “The kids have been great. And for us, LA Galaxy, we are fortunate to travel all over the world, and domestically, be able to see a lot of players. I think here in the Philippines, there’s a lot of potential here. Overall, we are certainly pleased with the level.”
Before arriving in Manila, the LA Galaxy coaches came from Korea, where they had tryouts for their second team for 10 days, before stopping in Guam for another youth football event there.
With the success of its first Youth Football Day, Davao Aguilas FC thus intends to hold similar events in other parts of the country in the near future.
For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/DAFCofficial.