While out in the community scouting some local youth teams, Real Salt Lake Academy Director of Coaching Arnold Rijsenburg saw a group of young players that hadn’t come across his desk in his brief time with RSL. Noting their passion, ability and potential, his excitement was palpable when he called RSL Assistant General Manager Tony Beltran without even waiting to leave the field.
That call got the ball rolling on a new partnership between Real Salt Lake and African Stars FC that has taken the leg work out of so much of the logistics that can hamper developmental squads. All of this was possible due to the massive infrastructure investment and development created by ownership over the last four years, including indoor space, training fields, a stadium and facilities.
“It's so emblematic of Arnold. Just, first of all, him being out in the community and trying to form relationships and bridge gaps, with all the people who love soccer just as much as we do,” Beltran said. “And the African Stars are exactly that, and that's why we're helping out.”
African Stars FC is a pro development club in the United Premier Soccer League made entirely of Utah-based immigrants, mostly from Africa. Founded in 2017, the club joined the UPSL in 2019 and since its inception has longed for consistent training fields and community support to grow the team and its message of unity.
In providing training spaces and uniforms for the team, RSL has eased the financial burden that can often thwart participation for many players. Additionally, the support aids in the development process in the Utah market, similar to the affiliate development programs that RSL has in Arizona, Las Vegas and Southern California.
“We are refugees from different places, different backgrounds. And coming out here, we've always tried to find a way to stay connected,” said African Stars FC Owner Styve Kamundu. “With everything that's happening in the world - all the negativity, all the racism, the COVID - the main thing for us is now to project positivity. Show that Africans were more than the stereotypes. So what we thought of doing is, why not get together, why not create a team where we can really show who we are and now invite our neighbors or the people around us and get to show them our culture - who we are, what we do, what we eat, how we play the game. It's been a beautiful journey.”
The timing was serendipitous for Rijsenburg. As part of his hiring process in 2019, he emphasized the importance of scouring the community beyond the well-known youth clubs within the region. While many of those clubs have the infrastructure in place for youth development, players from outside the system are often overlooked. In getting those talented players and teams into the mix, it raises the level across the board.
“When it comes to financial stuff, that's what stops most people from playing the game. Especially the people from the African community. They are still learning the language. They are still trying to understand the system and be a part of the system. So usually when you talk about money, they'll run away,” Kamundu said. “So if you can find a way to get them to play, focus on the game and it pushes these guys to show the talent that they have.”
Last week, Real Salt Lake’s Academy played a friendly against the African Stars to further the bond between the clubs. It marked the first friendly for the RSL Academy since its season was abruptly ended in the spring due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but also signaled a new beginning for the expansive scouting process for the team and its bond to the community.
In reaching out to a diverse swath of teams throughout the region and making them feel welcome and included, RSL expands the potential player pool for its Academy setup and the reach of the club within the Salt Lake City area.
“I think we need to be a pillar of strength for the community and all those who love the sport as we do. We're united in that regard. I just feel so fortunate that Arnold was able to forge this connection,” Beltran said. “It really is the responsibility of the club to help those who care about the game as much as we do in any way in any matter, and to be to be able to host them to, to have them use our facilities and now play a game against our Academy, it's a privilege. It really is.”
