Diaza continues to bet on keeping alive relations with organizations that see Soccer / Football from a global approach. Not only looking for sporting success but also a positive contribution in the community.
As well as Diaza, AFC Ann Arbor is the kind of organization driven to make an impact in the community, with an emphasis on creating opportunity for players while focusing on building the AFC Ann Arbor family.
Association Football Club Ann Arbor is an elite amateur soccer club owned and operated by a diverse group of entrepreneurs, soccer fans and sports professionals. Originally founded in 2014 by Jamey Amrine, the club now operates through its board of directors and a group of dedicated volunteers.
And as for 2023, the expectations are high: “The main thing this year is the return to Hollway Field at Pioneer High School for our home venue”, explains Amrine, “We're bringing on some new sponsors, but also want to honor our longtime sponsors like Bank of Ann Arbor and Wickfield Properties. We're looking forward to bringing the gameday energy back that we had in our first three seasons at Hollway.”
As well as Diaza, AFC Ann Arbor is the kind of organization driven to make an impact in the community, with an emphasis on creating opportunity for players while focusing on building the AFC Ann Arbor family.
Association Football Club Ann Arbor is an elite amateur soccer club owned and operated by a diverse group of entrepreneurs, soccer fans and sports professionals. Originally founded in 2014 by Jamey Amrine, the club now operates through its board of directors and a group of dedicated volunteers.
And as for 2023, the expectations are high: “The main thing this year is the return to Hollway Field at Pioneer High School for our home venue”, explains Amrine, “We're bringing on some new sponsors, but also want to honor our longtime sponsors like Bank of Ann Arbor and Wickfield Properties. We're looking forward to bringing the gameday energy back that we had in our first three seasons at Hollway.”
With a Women and Men’s team successfully playing in the USL, some chances also are operating around the club in early 2023.
Regarding that, Jamey Amrine let us know that: “We've hired former AFC Ann Arbor and University of Michigan player Kevin "KT" Taylor as our women's coach. Coach Rod Aslani will return with the men's team. We're looking forward to our second season in USL League 2 and USL W League and taking our successes to the next level.”
During the 2022 postseason some big news came around the women’s team. News that really makes everyone around AFC Ann Arbor’s family proud. Chloe Ricketts was transferred to NWSL’s Washington Spirit and Jayde Riviere to England’s Manchester United: “We are really starting to push a lot of players on to the next level”, says Amrine, “Beyond the incredible success of Chloe and Jayde, we have several former players playing in the top divisions of their countries, including in the US, Belgium, Israel, Iceland, and beyond. Chloe grew up as a fan of the Club and was able to star for us as a step to the top level of the women's game. We can't wait to see how far she goes. And Jayde was already a star with the University of Michigan and for the Canadian National Team before she featured in our Club. She's on to massive things now at Manchester United. Both are hugely talented players, but also truly wonderful people.”
Regarding that, Jamey Amrine let us know that: “We've hired former AFC Ann Arbor and University of Michigan player Kevin "KT" Taylor as our women's coach. Coach Rod Aslani will return with the men's team. We're looking forward to our second season in USL League 2 and USL W League and taking our successes to the next level.”
During the 2022 postseason some big news came around the women’s team. News that really makes everyone around AFC Ann Arbor’s family proud. Chloe Ricketts was transferred to NWSL’s Washington Spirit and Jayde Riviere to England’s Manchester United: “We are really starting to push a lot of players on to the next level”, says Amrine, “Beyond the incredible success of Chloe and Jayde, we have several former players playing in the top divisions of their countries, including in the US, Belgium, Israel, Iceland, and beyond. Chloe grew up as a fan of the Club and was able to star for us as a step to the top level of the women's game. We can't wait to see how far she goes. And Jayde was already a star with the University of Michigan and for the Canadian National Team before she featured in our Club. She's on to massive things now at Manchester United. Both are hugely talented players, but also truly wonderful people.”
On the community side, AFC Ann Arbor is always deepening their roots and relationships. They are working to continue and strengthen their existing ties, as well as expand into new areas. They, as well as Diaza, want to find ways to grow the #AFCAAFamily to all corners of the Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County communities.
“We are also a family-oriented club which means our match day environment is created specifically for families to come and enjoy. It also means that within our organization, we operate with a family culture which means that our players, coaches, staff, supporters and community partners are all unified in their love for the game and of course, AFC Ann Arbor.”, adds club’s founder Jamey Amrine.
“We are also a family-oriented club which means our match day environment is created specifically for families to come and enjoy. It also means that within our organization, we operate with a family culture which means that our players, coaches, staff, supporters and community partners are all unified in their love for the game and of course, AFC Ann Arbor.”, adds club’s founder Jamey Amrine.
Diego Hurtado, Diaza's founder, opened up to let us know his thoughts on how great this partnership has been: "Renewing our contract with an elite club like Ann Arbor is a clear indication that we are on the right path and doing things the right way. Our relationship with them has been exceptional from the very beginning, as we expected nothing less from such a professionally-run organization. But it's not just about doing business with them; we also have meaningful discussions on how we can come together to make a positive impact on the community. It's truly inspiring to see players like Chloe, who moved on to Washington Spirit, and Jayde, who joined Manchester United, after starting with the club. It's a testament to the hard work and dedication behind the scenes, and we are incredibly proud to be by their side working with them.
Then we dropped the ball to Ann Arbor's end: How do you see Diaza fits in with the club's development?, we asked.
Amrine instantly replies: “Diaza has been an excellent partner, both in providing top quality teamwear, and creative designs that represent our club and community. We're already seeing players wearing our kits on the field who once wore our jerseys as young fans. We want local kids to put on the jersey and see themselves as future stars for AFC Ann Arbor.”