On Saturday, July 2, Austin FC and 4ATX Foundation hosted the inaugural Retas FC Cup, a single-day soccer tournament for eight teams of young players from Central Texas high schools. Matches took place at 4ATX Foundation’s Wooldridge Park mini-pitch and were free to enter for all participants.
Retas FC gives young people the opportunity to represent their communities, be proud of their neighborhood, and meet others from around the city. In addition, players learned about leadership opportunities, such as the Verde Youth Leadership Academy, that’s launching this fall.
The Retas FC Cup included students from Del Valle, Manor, Eastside, Connally, Northeast, Anderson, and Navarro High Schools, with Eastside High School emerging victorious. Off the pitch, DJ Manolo Black, Austin FC team barber Manuel Osuna, local street vendors, members of El Barrio Car Club, and MAS Cultura were all in attendance, as well as students and their families from 4ATX Foundation’s Verde Leaders program.
“Retas FC is aligned with Austin FC and 4ATX Foundation’s joint mission to use the power of soccer to positively impact the community,” said 4ATX Foundation Executive Director Kaitlin Mauro. “Our hope is that through this pick-up soccer initiative, Central Texas high school students and young adults will learn about the many opportunities available to them through 4ATX Foundation and the Club.”
Starting in Fall 2022, Austin FC and 4ATX Foundation will host monthly Retas FC pick-up matches, along with two Retas FC Cup events per year beginning in 2023. To stay up-to-date on upcoming Retas FC events, follow @4ATXFoundation on Twitter.
