Futbol playoffs

I can handle all of those.

  

Mainecoons wrote:I can handle all of those.

  

That's what makes it fun but maybe I should explain.  I don't know crap about this stuff I know baseball.  I depend on Zen and Truebrit to tell me what to do and how to support them.  They do the majority of the work. I just buy beer, give money, and hope what we are doing is positive for the kids and I believe it is.  Maybe this is a copout but I have other charities, one I run and I couldn't give it anymore time than I
do.  I am busier in Mexico than I was when I worked and as Martha says "Its a good thing". (guys won't get that joke unless they have seen the show but the ladies will).

Z

her saying is actually: "and that's a good thing".

Here is my plan for the meeting with Rafa... If, from my conversations at the convivia, my understanding is correct (trust me - that is a big 'if') and they want to spin-off Union Ajijic, and the patronato returns to serving the rest of the lads and lasses in the village, then my take would be, based on what I have read here, that Union Ajijic needs a business sponsor and the wishes of IL is to support the grass roots programs. If anyone has any experience with building business relationships for sponsorship, I'm sure this would fill a big need in their plans. I was going to put some organizational structure on paper - with boxes delineating roles and responsibilities. Then I thought, who am I kidding?
If anyone would like me to represent anything else let me know before tomorrow.

Phil

My only thoughts on the meeting, IF we are returning to the previous all inclusive approach, how many teams does Rafa envision.
I believe, based on the experience we have had in the past 18 months, that we can develop a budget for each team.
When we know how many teams, we will then be able to extrapolate that information and determine how many sponsors, and how much each needs to contribute.
Rafa needs to understand that we are not the complete solution, but a catalyst to achieving that solution.
Also, that more kids means more expense, and estimating high is a good thing.
We can help, and we want to help.  

I like the spinoff idea and returning to our grassroots. UA will move on and we can go back to the kids.

Question: Are girls offered any training???

Just askin.

Z

Is there a meeting today? What time and where?

Thanks.

Zedinmexico wrote:
Question: Are girls offered any training???
Z

As I understand it, there is a girls team which plays occasionally.
I have seen girls training with the guys at several practices when we had multiple teams.
I am hoping that we can get back to the way we were.   

I think there are 2 or 3 girls teams and each has a trainer. They always play at the top field on Sundays.
Mainecoons: there isn't an official meeting - Rafa said he would stop by my house to expand on the patronato's plans. He could arrive any time or not at all.
And Ivan, yes, I will explain to Rafa that IL cannot be the only solution to their problems, but as you say, we are willing and committed to help. And that doesn't just include money - there is a lot of talent and business savvy in the group.

zenwoodle wrote:

Zedinmexico wrote:
Question: Are girls offered any training???
Z

As I understand it, there is a girls team which plays occasionally.
I have seen girls training with the guys at several practices when we had multiple teams.
I am hoping that we can get back to the way we were.   

I agree just wondered about the girl thing.

Z

Rafa and I met Tuesday night to talk about the future of kids football in Ajijic. Some of this info some might already know, but in the interests of clarity over brevity, here's the exhaustive version...

The patronato is a group (of 5 people) that manage the soccer resources (fields, buildings, etc.) for the village. Rafa Boas is the president. There are lots of youth/adult teams in Ajijic and they rely on these resources to play their games. As far as I can tell, every village/municipality works the same way. The patronato is voted in by the village for 3 years. This patronato has a little over a year left and they can be re-elected. Past patronatos have been quite suspect in the management of funds, but I don't believe there is much suspicion hanging over this particular group. However, who knows what will happen come election time. The patronato ran on a platform of developing a school for kids and young girls, which they did. The girls teams continue on, but the little kids' teams got swallowed up in the enthusiasm for the boys youths' teams, Union Ajijic. And Union's success has really overshadowed the disappearance of the younger kids and those older but not-so-talented kids who fell by the wayside. I spoke with Rafa during the season about this and he said after the season was over, he wanted to refocus on this disenfranchised group.
So with the season over, Rafa, is announcing through area schools, plans to recruit any kid between 6 and 15. I will return to coaching. I stepped back when lots of adults wanted to be involved in Union as it's success grew. I am more interested in developing the younger kids - there is more than enough advice to go round with the bigger kids. For those who don't know, Giovanni is no longer associated with the football program here. He 'has' a restaurant in a place close to the airport. He is also looking for investors should anyone be interested.
It looks like the patronato are going to continue with two teams in the Jalisco 4th and 5th divisions, and the newly formed teams will be in a league in Jocotopec. I asked Rafa how much it cost altogether for the two teams last season. He told me about 70,000 pesos. And I told him that personally I thought that was insane for youth soccer. But I have been asking my Mexican friends and neighbours for their opinion on this (really to boost my own opinion), but they all said that if there was a choice between getting kids off the street and offering some soccer activity, versus concentrating money and resources on Union Ajijic, that they would choose 'Union'. They thought exposing the kids to professional scouts and the pride and excitement it has brought to the village was worth more than some general program for kids. It surprised me at first, but their explanations told me more of past experience with programs that fizzled and had no tangible results, versus the highly visible and successful 'Union Ajijic'. I did tell Rafa that the gringos had reservations over spending this type of money - it is not where most want their donations to go. But we do not see the two directions as either/or, but I advised Rafa that funding for Union Ajijic should perhaps come from successful businesses in Ajijic. He believes he can get a bunch of small (business) sponsors in the village.
I also spoke with a woman who organizes soccer in San Juan Cosala and I am going to have lunch with her soon to talk more about what she has done in SJC. She tells me they have over 35 teams! And this without the help of SJC's patronato which she described as being a little suspect. She sounds quite inspirational and very resourceful, so hopefully I can get more info from her on the SJC way.

Agreed.

Z

Thanks! This explains a lot.

it is absolutely silly that fotbal would be as expensive as hockey in canada. i am outta here and will find other things to do with my dineros.
it was fun to watch but no mas. if i do anything it will be in chapala.
i did watch a series of games in sjc one sunday of all age groups and it was inspiring. if the parents of kids want the pro route for their kids-let 'em pay.

I agree that 70,000 pesos is a ridiculous sum of money for 2 teams for less than 6 months. There are really only about 36 kids who benefit? from that.
I would much prefer to support more kids, and I am still willing to help if we can return to the old program.
Can we get more details on the Jocotepec League?
Watching these kids has renewed my interest in football and I want that to continue.
Go El Tri.   

Debbie and I invested 30,000 MXP last year in this program and were proud to do so! Ivan and Phil, work their butts off, spending money out of pocket. I am proud to have met them.70,000MXP is big money, however when you consider these kids are prime pickens for the cartels, it is a small investment in your community.

We were extremely impressed with the boys and what they were learning, their willingness to accept direction, work as a team. Without futbol they could become your worst nightmare.....just sayin!

We had every intention of continuing our investment, however, my medical situation puts me in a position of hoping I see my home again.

It costs a lot of money for uniforms, training equipment, travel to and from tournaments, food for the boys, overnight lodging when necessary, etc.

I hope you guys will open up your wallets and support this program. This is a great long term investment!

I hope gringo involvement in the program does not diminish based on what I wrote above. I was at practice last night and there were about 50 kids there - much more than can be involved in the two Union teams. Yesterday I posted the patronato's convocatoria (invitation announcement) recruiting 6-15 year olds on the team's FaceBook page and shared it with the Delegacion. I am not sure if this announcement has gone around the schools as Rafa originally intended, but it is being liberally shared by the 300 FaceBook members of Union Ajijic. Hopefully we will see even more kids at upcoming practices.
Although we contributed to Union's participation in the league, most of the money came from the village (ticket and beer sales, parents' contribution, other private contribution). And the raising of this money was directly related to the team's success - it is not funds that would have existed without it. When the school started, there was no money for uniforms or equipment and the gringo community stepped up and, I believe, was responsible for the momentum that eventually led to the success of Union. I don't think any of us anticipated the direction this momentum would take. And while we may not agree with this direction, it has made us wiser as to how we can better support all the kids in the village in future efforts and exert influence over that direction while staying true to our principles.

What ever you two guys ( Zen, Truebrit) come up with I will follow.

Z

50 kids is a very good start. What age groups were they?
Might it be possible to have multiple teams in the same age group?
I agree that we had no idea of the direction that the Patronata would take with the teams. I do not think that they did either.
I am glad that they appear to be returning to their roots.  

As no doubt Zen will be back soon, I have the books to balance. I have the following uncollected pledges...
Zen $900
Bob $200
Mainecoons $200
Windrider $200

..and I would like to point out that Zed is fully paid up (thanks!). There is no hurry on getting the money to me as I have just borrowed it against the general fund. It's Ivan you have to worry about. I just wanted to make sure everyone was in agreement/remembered their pledges. Let me know if you disagree with my tally.

Let us know when and where to get you the money.

PM me and tell me where to drop it off.

It is starting to look like I will not be back until October at the earliest.
But my credit is good, and I know that the folks who have committed funds will deliver.
I just miss my home, and wish I could be there to provide beers for a game.
I had hoped to join Jim and Deb at a game but things here are not going according to plan.
I know I can rely on Phil to hold the fort.    

TrueBrit wrote:As no doubt Zen will be back soon, I have the books to balance.  I have the following uncollected pledges...
Zen  $900
Bob $200
Mainecoons  $200
Windrider  $200

..and I would like to point out that Zed is fully paid up (thanks!).  There is no hurry on getting the money to me as I have just borrowed it against the general fund.  It's Ivan you have to worry about.  I just wanted to make sure everyone was in agreement/remembered their pledges.  Let me know if you disagree with my tally.

So how do I get this to you?  I have asked several times. You may have told me but I didn't find it in all the posts here.

Please PM me and let me know how.

The main thing you haven't forgot or denied anything   
There might be a game this weekend - I will hopefully find out tonight and publish the day and time. If so, at the game would be good.
If you can't make it to the game this time don't worry. I can always get the money the next time I see you at a game. I will be going to Guad on Friday - actually taking my neighbor to the zoo for her birthday; 40 years and never been - anyway, it is not far (I think!) from the sports shops that have the good deals on footballs. So I am going to pick some up and mark them with InsideLakeside's name (lest they forget). So perhaps we can have a small ball donation ceremony before a game or practice and I can get the money then. Apart from Ivan the Terrible payer.