American Football in Rosarito & Baja


Did you know Football Americano (American-style football) is being played by high school kids in Baja California? We didn't. When we received a press release from Rosarito coach Mike Robles, we were curious. So we sent him a couple questions to be answered and asked for some photos. Looks exciting and we are sure they would love to see you at a game this fall.

BajaVisitor: American football in Baja? How did this come about?



Coach Robles: There have been teams in Baja and throughout Mexico for many years. For the past 4 years I have been collecting, importing and distributing donated equipment for Baja players. So Cal supporters with donations include the Chargers, seven universities, a dozen high schools.



  
BajaVisitor: Coach Robles, can you give us a little background on yourself and how you ended up in Rosarito? 

Coach Robles: I played high school (Wilson Los Angeles, a national power) and college football, Claremont McKenna. I coached high school and college football and baseball for 30 plus years in So Cal, head coach and assistant roles. I was teaching and coaching the previous 3 years in Ensenada (UABC and CETYS).

With the collapse of the highway connecting my home in Bajamar to Ensenada, I decided to look for who I could help in Rosarito. My wife, Kate, and I have owned in Bajamar for 12 years and have lived here full time the past 4 years.

BajaVisitor: Are the rules the same as in the U.S.? How many teams play in Baja and how many games will you play in a season?

Coach Robles:  The rules are the same as USA. In Baja there are over 30 high school, 8 college, and numerous youth teams that play American football. A few compete with teams in So Cal. Teams play about 10 games each season.


 
BajaVisitor: How do we find more information on the team? Where/when do they play? Is there a website?

Coach Robles: The players are from COBACH Primer Ayuntamiento High School Playas de Rosarito. The COBACH system (38 high schools in Baja - 2 in Rosarito) is simular to So Cal Magnet Schools providing for the top public school students in Baja. We have 40 players, ages 15-18, only 5 have ever played American Football.

Our first game is Sept 6, 1PM, Rosarito, Government Sports Complex Stadium (one mile north of Walmart, next to COBACH).

There is a COBACH website:  www.cobachbc.edu.mx/



    
BajaVisitor: Any final thoughts you'd like to pass along?

Coach Robles: We are blessed to have 5 assistant coaches - we are all volunteers - 2 retired Americans who coached football in USA, 1 Mexican vetenarian who played professional soccer in Guadalajara, 1 American working in Rosarito (photographer) who played college football in USA, and one Mexican Dad who played football in USA.

Baja leaders have been helpful with importation of donations- Nicolas Saad/Owner of San Nicholas Hotel, Ensenada and Baja icon, Mariano Escobedo/Director of Baja International Relations, Oscar Escobedo/Director of Baja Tourism, Linda Casillas/Director DIF Rosarito.

Editor's Note: Coach Robles' team (COBACH Primer Ayuntamiento High School Playas de Rosarito) has made it to the the playoffs. They play the weekend of Nov. 21st-23rd at a TBD location.We are sure Coach wouldn't mind more fans, so if you are interested in seeing the game, please email him at marobles14@gmail.com.


 
   

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Endangered Vaquita Porpoise in the Sea of Cortez

Image
Updated 7/7/17 Vaquita mother & calf. Artist: Raziel Levi Mendez Moreno The seldom-seen Vaquita is a small porpoise (similar to a dolphin) that lives only in the northern reaches of the Gulf of California between the states of Baja California and Sonora below the Colorado River delta. Unfortunately, a rare Sea of Cortez fish called the Totuava swims in that same region. The Chinese value the bladder of Totuava in the thousands of dollars making fishing very profitable for the fisherman of the area. The problem is it's illegal to catch Totuava so it's done clandestinely. The same nets used to illegally catch this fish are killing off the Vaquita as a by-product. The Mexican government has banned gill nets in the northern region of the Gulf of California. The Mexican Navy is now patrolling the region plus other organizations such as Sea Shepard have stepped in as a last ditch effort to save the marine mammal from extinction. They believe there are less than 60 lef
Read more

Visit Mexicali's La Chinesca

Image
Story & photos by Ted Donovan Did you know Mexicali has the largest Chinatown in Mexico? It's true and you can visit the area. A group called La Chinesca is preserving the Chinese area of Mexicali and the traditions of those immigrants who came from China. The Chinese traveled to the hot, barren deserts of Mexicali, Baja California's capital, around 1900 to work on the railroads and irrigation canals being built on both sides of the border. After the construction was completed, many stayed and became merchants who opened up bars, restaurants, shops in the area now called La Chinesca next to the US/Mexico border. Mexicali's history can not be written with out the contribution of the Chinese immigrants. Underneath their shops and businesses, the industrious Chinese built elaborate basements, tunnels and pathways to both escape the extreme heat of the summers (as high as 120F) and to live/work unmolested from the local community. Unfortunately, over the decades many
Read more

Buying Auto Insurance for Baja & Mexico

Image
Below, please find a brief description on Mexican auto insurance for those planning on driving into Baja California or mainland Mexico. Why Buy Mexican Auto Insurance? Insurance from a Mexican company is required by Mexican law in the event of an accident, even if you are not at fault. A Mexican Insurance policy greatly reduces the chances that you will face jail time, and limits the financial burden you might come by after an accident. A Mexican Insurance policy provides coverage for damage to your vehicle or its total loss. Under Mexican law, motorists are required to have insurance, or "proof of financial responsibility", in the event of an accident, even if you did not cause it. As a foreigner traveling in Mexico, the only way of demonstrating this financial responsibility is to have sufficient real currency to cover damages, or an insurance policy from a Mexican company. U.S. or any other non-Mexican insurance does n
Read more