The San Jose Earthquakes announced the creation of a landmark partnership with Diablo Futbol Club of Concord, unhealthy establishing the Earthquakes’ first Youth Development Alliance and allowing for collaboration at both the competitive and recreation levels of play.

Through the partnership, ailment Diablo FC – the club where current Earthquakes star and reigning Volkswagen MLS Most Valuable Player Chris Wondolowski played his final years of youth soccer – will work closely with the Earthquakes’ Youth Development Academy while implementing recreation leagues and development schools for girls and boys in the U5-U10 age groups. The Earthquakes will provide financial and curricular support as well as additional resources to assist Diablo FC in its overall development of competitive youth players while also offering recreation-level players an opportunity to participate in their own setting.

“The San Jose Earthquakes are excited to align with such a well respected club in Diablo FC,” said Earthquakes Youth Development Academy technical director Chris Leitch. “DFC has a great track record of developing elite players and we are looking forward to working with an impressive coaching staff with the shared goal of developing players for the next level while also providing more kids the opportunity to play soccer.”

On the competitive side, Diablo FC will field U12, U14, U16 and U18 teams donning an officialSan Jose Earthquakes Youth Development Alliance patch. Coaches in the program will report to Earthquakes Youth Academy technical director Chris Leitch and head coach Marquis White, who has coached for over a dozen years with Diablo FC and is the club’s technical director.  Each roster will serve as a player pool for the club’s Academy, giving each athlete an added level of exposure. The club will also have the benefit of the services of Henry Foulk, a goalkeeper coach for the U.S. Men’s National Team and 12-year veteran at DFC.

Kids in the recreation league will have the opportunity to play in a fun environment while wearing Earthquakes team gear. Structurally, the Earthquakes will also provide a registration platform that Diablo FC can utilize to improve their digital experience.

“This Alliance is a great opportunity for Diablo FC to work with such a respected organization as the San Jose Earthquakes,” said Diablo FC director of coaching Brian Voltattorni. “This gives our coaches a unique opportunity to work with the Earthquakes’ technical staff and share curricular ideas and training habits to help strengthen our player development program. We are honored to be recognized with this partnership since our club has a history of over 20 years developing elite soccer athletes.”

Six Diablo FC alumni have reached the ranks of Major League Soccer. The club has also placed two technical directors and one alumni on the San Jose Earthquakes Youth Development Academy staff.

In addition to competitive teams and recreation leagues, the partnership will also allow for a series of Regional Development Schools. These eight-week programs are offered at four different levels: Elite, Junior U12-U14, Recreational U5-U10 and Developmental U5-U10. The focus for RDS programs is on developing fundamental skills in a fun, engaging environment.

Finally, the partnership will include camps and clinics offered exclusively to Diablo FC members in conjunction with the Earthquakes.

Rhino Rugby has confirmed its involvement at Rugby Expo for the third consecutive year, erectile by signing as an official supplier to this year’s event taking place at Twickenham on 14 – 15 November.

As one of the world’s most innovative and well-known rugby brands, Rhino will be showcasing a number of its leading product lines at this year’s event including its fashion and leisurewear range RhinoGB and Rhino-Turf, which will be supplied as part of the entrance to both the exhibition floor, whilst also creating a ‘green carpet’ for the Rugby Expo Awards Dinner, taking place on the evening of day one of the event.

“We are very much looking forward to being a part of Rugby Expo 2012 and are delighted to see it return to Twickenham following the success of last year’s event,” confirmed Reg Clark, chief executive of Rhino Rugby.

“Rugby Expo provides us with the perfect platform to showcase our brand and our various product lines to not only professional clubs but also to a significant number of community rugby clubs, facilitated greatly by the event’s ticketing strategy.”

Rugby Expo will again be implementing a ticketing policy that will provide complimentary tickets for community clubs to attend day two of the event, made available through partnerships with a number of home unions as well as the community programmes of professional clubs.

Rhino Rugby will also be teaming up with Browns Sports & Leisure Resort to promote a not-to-be-missed competition, where one lucky team will win a five night’s stay at the popular training resort in Portugal. Clubs and schools can enter the prize draw by visiting Browns staff at Rhino Rugby’s stand, with the winning team announced at the end of day two of Rugby Expo.

Jonathan Wilson, event director for Rugby Expo said: “It’s great to have Rhino involved again at Rugby Expo. Rhino Rugby is one of the sport’s biggest brands and through the company’s partnership with Browns, its involvement this year will be bigger than ever.  We’re looking forward to Reg and his team joining us for what promises to be a busy two days in November.”

Rhino Rugby will also use Rugby Expo to launch the official ball range of the 2013 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia, with more details to follow as the event nears.

Rugby Expo will welcome over 1000 delegates across the two days, combining an unrivalled conference programme, interactive workshops and busy exhibition floor.

For more information on attending Rugby Expo or becoming a sponsor or exhibitor at the event, visit www.rugbyexpo.com.

USA Rugby have agreed a broadcasting partnership with FOX Sports for the upcoming Men’s match against the New Zealand Maori All Blacks Nov. 9 at PPL Park in Philadelphia.

The inaugural Black and Blue Match, seek presented by USA Rugby and New Zealand Rugby Union sponsor AIG, will be aired on FOX Sports 1 Sunday, Nov. 10, at noon ET.

“USA Rugby is very excited about FOX Sports 1 airing the match from Philadelphia,” USA Rugby Chief Commercial Officer Jon Persch said. “FOX Sports 1 offers USA Rugby the greatest number of viewers with the new channel being offered in 90 million homes. On top of that, FOX Sports has had a monumental impact covering the world’s most elite sporting events and we are thrilled to share this marquee matchup with FOX Sports.”

FOX Sports 1, the new national 24-hour multi-sport channel, launched Aug. 17 in more than 90 million homes across the U.S., marking the largest sports network launch in television history. With nearly 5,000 hours of live event, news and original programming annually, USA Rugby joins a broadcast lineup that includes college football and basketball, MLB, NASCAR, NFL, soccer, boxing and UFC.

“This partnership with USA Rugby offers FOX Sports 1 the unique opportunity to be the U.S. television home for a very exciting inaugural event in the international rugby community,” said Michael Mulvihill, FOX Sports SVP of Programming & Research. “The Black and Blue Match showcases one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, bringing world-class rugby to the U.S. and – along with international soccer and UFC – continues to establish FOX Sports 1 as a destination for next-generation, rapidly evolving sports.”

Jeff Levick has stepped down from his role of Chairman of the Hampshire Cricket Board, to be replaced by John Wolfe.

Jeff, who has occupied the role since 2002, officially handed over to John at a ceremony held at the home of Hampshire Cricket – The Ageas Bowl – this morning [Friday 2 November]. By way of marking Jeff’s considerable achievements in the job, he was presented with a Life Membership for Hampshire Cricket by outgoing Ageas Bowl Chairman, Rod Bransgrove.

Jeff said; “I was fortunate enough to retire early. This has given me the opportunity to indulge my hobby for the past 16 years.

“It really has been great fun and I only hope it can continue for many more years.”

Jeff has been involved in grassroots cricket for more than 50 years and, as Head of the ECB’s Regional Disability Cricket Development Forum for the South and West has been instrumental in developing disability cricket in the Hampshire region.

It was Jeff who, in 1997, set up the Disability Cricket Programme in Hampshire which still runs to this day. He sourced funding, recruited players, set up and ran coaching sessions and trained new coaches. He’s also responsible for establishing a Special Schools Coaching Programme providing opportunities for over 1,000 young people with disabilities every year.

Working tirelessly, he has also, in his time, established, coached and managed two Hampshire representative teams for people with learning and physical disabilities, managing the England Deaf Cricket Squad. For the past five years Jeff has been Chairman of Disability Cricket Development for the 11 counties in the South West region.

To say that he has made an impact on countless thousands of peoples’ lives is an understatement of the highest order.

And yet, it is only in recent years that Jeff has been truly recognised for the work he does, starting with a BBC Community Champion award in 2007 and extending to a National Lottery award for “Best Sporting Project” last November.

Following that, the 75 year old from Winchester was awarded an MBE in last year’s New Years Honours list.

Though he will be stepping down from his role of Chairman, he will continue much of his work with Hampshire’s Bluebird Care Disability Cricket programme.

John Wolfe has been a key part of Hampshire’s local cricket scene for many years having, variously, held the positions of Vice President of Hampshire’s Members’ Committee, Chairman and Life Vice President of the Southern Electric Premier League and President of New Milton CC.

He said; “It is a privilege to follow Jeff. He has made a huge contribution to the development of many aspects of recreational cricket in Hampshire and will continue to do so.

“I look forward to having the opportunity to join with Hampshire Cricket Board Cricket Development Director Ben Thompson and his team in working with clubs, schools, local authorities and others to make sure that we build on the progress made under Jeff’s leadership”.

Chairman of Hampshire Cricket, Rod Bransgrove said; “Jeff’s had a phenomenal impact, not only in Hampshire but on disability sport in general. His contribution to recreational cricket in Hampshire is legendary and, in particular, the way he’s helped to develop and lead our activities amongst the disabled community.

“His MBE last year is well-deserved and the ultimate recognition of an amazing career. I hope he enjoys his Life Membership and wish him all the best for his retirement.”

Soccerex has announce that the French Football League’s (LFP) International Development Manager, discount Redha Chibani; CEO of NIEMANN International and former CEO of DFL Sports, apoplectic Dr Robert Niemann will be joining Nigerian Football Legend, Adokiye Amiesimaka at the Soccerex Seminar Lagos, 27–28 September, on a session looking at the challenges of running a local professional league.

With the European Leagues dominating broadcast times and the fans attention, it has become more challenging to run a successful local league in West Africa. In this session the panel will put their extensive experience into practice and discuss possible ways to increase the quality of participation at all levels of Nigerian football, both on and off the pitch; with the aim of attracting new sponsors and bringing back fans to make regional football more popular again. Adokiye Amiesimaka will also be able to give firsthand experience of how popular local football used to be during his illustrious playing career.

Redha Chibani has spent his entire career in the football industry working for major media companies Canal France International and TV5Monde. He then moved to the LFP as the International Development Manager focusing on their international media rights for the League 1, League 2, League Cup and the Champions Trophy.Dr Robert Niemann has had a distinguished football business career having held senior positions at DFL Sports Enterprises and football club 1860 Munich. NIEMANN International was founded in 2001 and focuses on a range of services across the football industry. His job as CEO of DFL Sports Enterprises allowed him to develop the Bundesliga and secure new television rights makes him an important addition to the panel.

Adokiye Amiesimaka is a rare and exemplary role model in the world of football, having played for the Nigerian national team as well as being an accomplished legal practitioner. He played for the national team whilst studying law and rose to become state attorney general. Mr Amiesimaka is now a distinguished journalist commenting on football and social issues affecting Nigeria.

Commenting on the announcement, Soccerex CEO Duncan Revie said:              

“We are thrilled that Redha, Robert and Adokiye will be joining us at the Soccerex Seminar Lagos. Their experience and passion for the development of football leagues makes them a superb addition to the panel and highlights the importance and quality of the seminar.”

For more information on the Soccerex Seminar Lagos please go to www.soccerex.com/lagos