RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Calling all Randolph soccer players.
Several people who play soccer with a passion are needed to fill out the base-sponsored men's soccer team.
"We've got about 20 people on our summer roster now, but some of those will leave and we need to keep at least 20 for the fall league," said Tech. Sgt. Raul Martinez, Air Force Personnel Center, senior relocation manager and one of two acting head coaches for the Randolph Air Force Base Football Club.
Rikk Prado, Rambler Fitness Center athletics manager, said a permanent head coach is being sought. The Randolph team plays a schedule of games year-round, but the fall league competition is the only period when the base actually funds the team.
"It's hard to coach and to play," said Sgt. Robert White, who was with the RAFB FC team at its inception in late 2005 and now serves as the other acting head coach. "It's tough to make the substitutions and to keep track of what's happening during the course of the game. We hope to find a permanent head coach. We've got a lot of good players and we need a few more."
Randolph FC played in the title match of last year's Texas State Soccer Association - South, Division 2 tournament and the team plays a year-round schedule. The fall league is the only period, though, when this base actually provides funding for the team.
The South Texas State Cup features teams from San Antonio, Austin and Houston.
Players being sought for the RAFB FC roster will have no specific qualities, said Sergeant Martinez, other than team concept awareness and high skill level.
Participation with the RAFB FC is open to adult Airmen of any status, civilians, contractors and family members. Competition begins in October for the fall season, when RAFB FC and teams from other installations bid for berths in the Texas State Cup.
"We've only played one game this summer and we beat a team from Fort Sam Houston," Martinez said. "Our team has practiced and played well together but we have no particular strong forward or strong player.
"The more people we get out to practices, the stronger our final roster is going to be," he said. "If a person can play any position and play at a highly competitive level, they have a chance to make the team.
Prior to its pursuit of a South Texas State Cup tourney berth, the Randolph FC team will compete in October in the Defender's Cup. That tournament will feature 20 military-based teams from across the United States, including five from installations around the San Antonio area.
For information on practice and tryout times with RAFB FC, contact Raul Martinez at 565-5445 or at
raul.martinez@randolph.af.mil. Robert White can be reached at 565-0464 or
rob.white@randolph.af.mil.