Detroit City FC is excited to welcome back Javi Bautista to the organization as Program Coordinator for the new DCFC/PAL Youth Select Program.

Earlier this year, Detroit City FC and Detroit PAL announced a new partnership to create a non-profit Select soccer program to provide professional coaching, training and a higher level of competition for Detroit youth interested in soccer. Bautista will be responsible for administration of the youth teams as well as the primary coach.

Bautista played for Detroit City FC during the 2015 and 2016 campaigns. Javi recently completed his Masters in Sports Education at Gardner-Webb University, where he was a graduate assistant for their Division 1 soccer program for the past two seasons. Coach Bautista has a Class C Coaching License as well as Bachelors in Sports Education from Ashford University, where he played collegiately.

“Detroit has always felt like home to me,” Bautista said. ”The club and the fans have always treated me like family and I’m excited to come back in a coaching position. I’m looking forward to helping establish a youth program that will give kids the opportunity to chase their dreams. I wholeheartedly believe in the vision this organization has for the future and I can’t wait to get started.”

Born in Hidalgo, Mexico and raised in suburban Chicago, Javi has developed a significant internet following since last being in Detroit as Coach Javi on YouTube.

“It means a lot to us as a club to have an alum like Javi back to spearhead this initiative,” said Sean Mann, DCFC co-owner. “Javi understands the culture of our club and our vision and is excited to help us grow our roots in the community by providing new opportunities for Detroit youth.”

The new year-round initiative between DCFC and Detroit PAL is designed to provide the best environment for the development of youth players in a setting that encourages fun, creativity and competitiveness, while being a low to no-cost program for families in the city.

The program will be funded through Detroit City FC’s non-profit arm, Detroit City Sporting Coalition. Profit from the sale of alcohol at Detroit City FC matches will be utilized to support the program, along with fundraising events hosted by the club, and 50-50 raffles at DCFC matches. Detroit City FC is committed to keeping the cost of the year-round program to a low or no-cost fee for Detroit families.

The program will be under the technical supervision of Klaas de Boer. Klaas has decades of experiencing coaching soccer and currently serves as a scout for US Soccer. The teams will be coached by licensed professional coaches organized by Detroit City FC. Detroit City FC players and coaches will also regularly conduct training sessions and clinics for participants. More information can be found below and at detcityfc.com/select.

PROGRAM: DETROIT CITY FC/PAL Select will form boys and girls teams in the age groups of U-12 and U-10. Each successive year, an additional age group will be added to the program.

SELECTION PROCESS: There will be a final tryout for interested Detroit youth at Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck on Saturday, June 16. Those interested should contact Klaas DeBoer at dutchmasters14 [at] icloud.com

TRAINING: The Select teams will utilize Detroit city parks during the Fall and Spring seasons. From October to April, the teams will train multiple times a week at Detroit City FC’s new indoor soccer facility, Detroit City Fieldhouse.

COMPETITION: The Detroit City FC/PAL Select teams will compete in the Michigan State Developmental Soccer League, a greater Detroit select travel league for U-8 to U-12 players. During the Winter months, the teams will compete in leagues organized at the Detroit City Fieldhouse.