EL PASO, Texas – El Paso Locomotive FC announced on Wednesday a major step forward in youth soccer development for the El Paso community, with the club set to launch the Locomotive Youth Soccer Club ahead of the 2020-21 youth soccer season.

“The Locomotive Youth Soccer Club will provide tremendous opportunities for local youth soccer players,” said Bob Bigney, appointed as Locomotive FC Director of Youth Soccer. “We have the top youth coaches in the area already on-board and will be looking for more coaches to join our Club. We have already identified many high-quality players that we will invite to join our teams and other interested players may contact us about team placement. The Locomotive Youth Soccer Club will provide a huge boost to the local youth soccer landscape.”

Bigney holds a U.S. Soccer ‘A’ License, a Premier Coaching Diploma from United Soccer Coaches, and a National Youth License from US Soccer. He has worked in youth soccer for more than 30 years, serving as the Technical Director for New Mexico Youth Soccer, the Director of Coaching for Oregon Youth Soccer and has run top-level youth soccer clubs in several locations in the United States.

The Locomotive Youth Soccer Club will provide a direct connection to Locomotive FC’s USL Championship squad, providing the same pathway to the professional ranks as can be found at many clubs in the United Soccer League. The club will provide young players with the opportunity to develop alongside the First Team, learning the core values and winning mentality that are central to Locomotive FC’s culture, while discovering their full potential.

Locomotive FC will support teams in various age groups and will play in elite events locally, regionally, and nationally. The Locomotive Youth Soccer Club will aid young players in their development to become a part of the next generation of high-level soccer players in El Paso. With an initial emphasis on elite teams within the club, Locomotive Youth Soccer intends to expand to include younger age groups and opportunities for both girls and boys who are focused on playing at a recreational level.

“With Locomotive FC striving to win the USL Championship, it is valuable to have a strong youth soccer structure connected with the pro team,” said Locomotive FC Head Coach Mark Lowry. “Having youth players learning the Locomotive structure and culture will allow us to develop and identify players to advance to the next level.”

Locomotive FC has previously competed at the youth level in high-level events such as the FC Juarez Copa Bravos and the USL Academy Cup. Running alongside established Locomotive Programs such as Lil’ Locos, the Player Development Program (PDP) and Soccer Camps Program, the Locomotive Youth Soccer Club will open new windows of opportunity for the El Paso community.