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For Immediate Release: May 10, 2023
Dear Aztec Families:
We are writing with some very exciting news. Aztec Soccer Club has formed a partnership with Andover-based 3STEP Sports, the nation’s largest and most impactful youth sports club and event operator. An official announcement will be made by 3STEP later this week, but we wanted our families to hear the news first from us.
This latest development continues the path of growth and expansion for our club. Since 2018 - when the club changed ownership from myself to Topsfield-based Huntwicke Capital Group - Aztec has enjoyed a 60% growth in the number of players, introduced three new regions, captured three national championships, and joined forces with three new league platforms.
Our new partnership with 3STEP will continue the momentum. 3STEP is uniquely positioned to give our coaches and players the runway for future growth and exposure. We encourage all of our families to visit the link below to see how far #WeAreAztec has come and why the future is very bright for us all.
What does this mean for our families?
Now that we are a part of the 3STEP family, the club will have access to 3STEP’s extensive network of resources. We will also receive important operational, administrative and marketing support from their Andover-based team. It will better position us to provide a world-class experience and additional opportunities for all of our players in the years ahead.
Our leadership and management team as well as our coaching staff will remain the same. We will continue to provide high level and localized team and individual player development programming. We will also continue to work with our dedicated and valued partners - PUMA, Soccer.com and Skillz Check Soccer Academy, among others.
The one immediate change that you will see in the coming weeks will be a new registration system for the 2023-24 season. We will be transitioning to the 3STEP Sports' registration platform, PlayerFirst. Our SportsEngine app will remain in place through the end of the spring season, but all 2023-24 registrations will be processed through PlayerFirst and we will navigate to the PlayerFirst mobile app next year. We are looking forward to having access to this robust communication platform which will be a benefit for all of our players.
What does the future look like?
Super bright! Over the next one to three years, we will be working more closely with 3STEP management. We will methodically take advantage of their many resources which become accessible to our club including data and technology support, greater facility access, sponsorships, video production, travel services, and financial support.
More About 3STEP
3STEP Sports is the industry leader for youth sport clubs and events in the country, impacting 1.1+ million athletes from all 50 states across nine different sports. With a mission to be the leading and most dependable platform for all athletes to live out their passions, 3STEP has reimagined youth sports by providing access to top-tier coaching, nationally ranked events, best-in-class facilities and premier media content to all athletes. www.threestep.com
What Lies Ahead?
This next month will be a very busy one for our players and families. We will be completing the spring regular season, competing in Memorial Day Tournaments, and many teams will continue on to post-season play. Here is a tentative schedule of key upcoming dates:
May 12
2023-24 Tryout Dates Announced
May 17
Early Contract Offers extended to current players
May 27-29
Memorial Day Tournament play
June 5-16
2023-24 Tryouts (all age groups)
August 28
Pre-season start date for all Junior Teams
September 5
Official season start for all Junior and Junior Academy Teams
Thank you for your support and dedication to Aztec… and onwards together.
In Soccer,
Mike Kersker
President Aztec Soccer Club