Kalamazoo Outrage News Release - www.kalamazoooutrage.com

Friday, March 14, 2008

KALAMAZOO, MI -- It was a whirlwind 10-day period for Kalamazoo Outrage PDL head coach Stu Riddle and player/assistant Alex Andrews. The pair recently returned from their club’s English affiliate Sheffield Wednesday where they spent time with players and staff of the Owls at Sheffield’s Middlewood Road training ground.

The trip was designed to solidify the foundation of the blossoming relationship between the two clubs. Riddle and Andrews were able to analyze Wednesday’s academy teams, reserve team and first team training sessions as well as see all sides play in competitive matches as special guests of the Owls.

“You can’t help but be impressed by a club like this. I was well aware that this was a club with a huge stature in the English game but to see it all in person and meet everyone has been wonderful,” said Riddle.

Andrews echoed those sentiments, “Their club has a first rate training facility and the things that stood out the most for me were the level of professionalism and very high standard of the training facility.”

Both clubs see the long range benefit of the affiliation. Kalamazoo Outrage players will have the chance to bring their talents into the English game and likewise teenage Sheffield Wednesday players into the American game.

Riddle feels this is a great opportunity for both parties, “being involved with a club like Wednesday can only benefit our Outrage players and that’s one of our main goals, to push players to the next level.”

The next step involves the U-11 and U-13 academy teams of Sheffield Wednesday making a trip to Kalamazoo in April to play against the Outrage’s parent club TKO Premier. This should be a positive effect on the soccer learning curve for all involved.

Wednesday Academy Director Sean McAuley agreed “the tour has been arranged through our arrangement with the Outrage. It will give our lads the chance to play against a high standard of American youngsters and it also casts our recruitment net that bit further.”

McAuley’s sentiments didn’t end there, backing senior Outrage players to impress also “American players who have missed the boat in terms of coming across the water earlier in their careers will be able to earn a chance as well to prove themselves in this country.”

The Outrage coaching staff will now have their feet firmly back on the ground now as they prepare for the start of their inaugural campaign in May.

“We are encouraged with the recruiting to date and hope to announce additional player signings soon,” said Riddle.