Mauricio Ruiz, who oversees business and technical development for JAXUSL, recently made his way across the pond to participate in the Adidas Coaching Symposium in the United Kingdom.
The event took place in Manchester last week and allowed attendees to interact with
representatives from Premier League giant Manchester United. JAXUSL was one of roughly 20
clubs who were invited, including future rival Louisville City of the USL Championship.
In partnership with Inspiresport, Adidas hosted discussions on coaching tactics, business management, player development and more. In an ever-changing sport, it’s crucial to be familiar with new techniques and the ways in which the game is evolving.
Perhaps one of the trip’s coolest moments came from the least likely of places. Ruiz recalled a drive down two miles of road consisting of “nothing but sheep,” all until his eyes lit up. On the other side of this agricultural kingdom was Trafford Training Centre in Carrington, Manchester United’s training ground.
In a last-minute surprise, the group was taken to a first-team training session for one of soccer’s most famous clubs. Ruiz has had his fair share of cool experiences around the game, but this was undoubtedly one of the coolest.
In front of him stood household names like Bruno Fernandes, Scott McTominay and Mason Mount. The group of visitors got to watch the squad perform a training exercise.
“Spirits were good and it was great to see that level of soccer first-hand,” Ruiz said.
While Ruiz soaked up plenty of insight and knowledge, the experience also offered some fun. He got to attend Manchester United’s home match against Luton Town at Old Trafford, the Theatre of Dreams. The stadium offers an atmosphere like no other, but it was the visiting Luton Town supporters that caught Ruiz’s eye.
“They were just happy to be there since they recently got promoted and they sang the entire time,” Ruiz said. “That’s an experience that traditional American sports fans aren’t as familiar with; what it’s like to go hop on a train for three or four hours just to go watch your team play.” Away days are one of the more charming aspects of the Premier League, but this one didn’t end in a result for the visitors, as Manchester United squeaked out a 1-0 win.
While in England, Ruiz also visited fellow EPL club Nottingham Forest, who JAXUSL has built a relationship with. Here, he learned the ins and outs of the club’s academy system, specifically the U18 and U23 squads. One thing that stood out was how the non-local U18 players are taken in by host families, something that JAXUSL President and CEO Steve Livingstone has personal experience with Celtic F.C. in Scotland.
Ruiz not only brings back memories of a fun trip, but also valuable experiences as JAXUSL sets out to bring top-notch professional soccer to the First Coast. Seeing how some of Europe’s best do things will most certainly influence aspects of this club’s early years.
“Identity allows you to create values, which gives you the pathway to success and how you’re going to do things,” Ruiz said. “It highlighted to me the importance of building something over time that we can love, honor and respect from a community standpoint.”
JAXUSL might not be fielding a team in the immediate future, but conducting preliminary research through connections like these are helping to ensure that the product on the pitch is top-notch when that time comes.
