News Archive

June 10 - Santos Laguna has chose Estrella Del Mar Golf and Beach resort for its pre season headquarters.

Santos Laguna, one of Mexicos top soccer teams ,has chosen to make the Estrella Del Mar Golf and Beach Resort in Mazatlan its pre season headquarters for a period of fifteen days during the first weeks of June.
Hopefully this will prove the forerunner of other Mexican and European teams that fall under the aegis of First Wave, as the company continues to develop operations in Mexico and the Americas.
Pre season games in Mexico for EPL teams are pencilled in for 2012, and it is the intention to utilise the Mazatlan facility as part of the preparatory program.

May 11 - English Premier League Team West Bromwich Albion playing in the US

English Premier League team, West Bromwich Albion, will be playing three games in the US in the month of July, as part of the club's pre-season preparation.
Based in Ojai, California, the squad will play games against San Jose Earthquakes on July 12, Portland Timbers on July 20th, and a game against Ventura County Fusion on a date to be confirmed.
Andy Marriot, the WBA Technical Director, linked up with First Wave to vet all of the facilities and subsequently confirm the tour.

May 11 - Independiente, the famous Argentinian club will also be spending part of July in Ventura California

Independiente, the famous Argentinian club will also be spending part of July in Ventura California, preparing for games in the US and South America.
It is an honor for First Wave to be involved with such a prestigious club, and is also a very positive sign of the way in which top international teams are now viewing the Ventura area of the US as an ideal base for their preparatory needs---in terms of both fitness and game related situations.
These projects follow closely on the previous batch of MLS teams that used the facilities for their 2011 season requirements.
Portland Timbers,DC Utd,Colorado Rapids, Vancouver Whitecaps, San Jose Earthquakes, all experienced a positive outcome from time spent in Ventura during the months of Jan/Feb/Mar.

Apr 11 - Club America scheduled Exhibition Game

It was agreed yesterday that world famous Mexican team, Club America, will take its full squad of players for a prestigious exhibition game against MLS newcomers , Portland Timbers, on July 7th at the Jen- Weld stadium in Portland.

Feb 22 – Jim Godderz appointed as Chief Legal Officer for First Wave

For more than 25 years, Jim Godderz has helped some of the world’s most successful and influential corporations and individuals achieve their strategic objectives, leverage their strengths and obtain holistic enterprise risk management. He has vast international experience in negotiating and drafting agreements on numerous continents, expertise with collective bargaining and employment matters, and has worked in various capacities in the sports, entertainment, retail, marketing and advertising industries.

Jim practices through his own firm and is a founding member of the innovative legal services hybrid, General Counsel on Demand™ which combines the accessibility, approach, and affordability of in-house counsel with the sophisticated experience and expertise of large law firms. Jim will continue to serve his current clients in addition to this special role with First Wave.

In addition to counseling and advising First Wave and its strategic partners, Jim’s experience will be invaluable in assisting not only with players’ contracts and endorsements but also with respect to their business ventures, investments, financial/estate planning and other personal transactions. We are pleased to have Jim’s talents and service offerings become an integral part in the evolution of First Wave.

In announcing the appointment of Jim Godderz as Chief Legal Officer of First Wave, Graham Smith, President, stated “we feel fortunate to have a seasoned professional with Jim’s broad legal and business experience to complement other aspects of our team, especially as we look forward to expanding and continuing to elevate our prominence in exciting new areas and ventures. In addition to providing strategic legal guidance to First Wave and its business partners, Jim can provide a broader range of value added services to First Wave clients than available through similar organizations.” “I am thrilled and honored to become acquainted with First Wave and given the opportunity to work with a man of Graham’s integrity and professionalism,” said Jim Godderz, “his generosity, enthusiasm and desire to help others is only surpassed by his myriad accomplishments and contributions to the game.”

Feb 15 - Andy Adlard & Felix Borja

Andy Adlard, former captain of Indiana, has signed for Columbus Crew of MLS.
Andy, a strong running utility player, who possesses a European passport, has decided to take his chances with Robert Warzycha's hard working squad as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Felix Borja, the prolific Ecuadoran striker, is creating much interest from both European and MLS clubs as he settles into his loan period at Mexican club, Puebla.
Borja, who scored an average of one goal every two games for Budesliga club, Mainz, would not be averse to a move to one of the MLS top clubs when he becomes a free agent in June.

Feb 14 - Martin Saavedra joins First Wave

Martin forms part of the First Wave group of FIFA players agents working at both national and international level .

Based in Los Angeles , he has , for the past five years built up a stable of European and domestic players playing not only in MLS but also in various leagues throughout the world.

With extremely strong contacts in the whole of the Americas, he has been able to present opportunities to both established and young aspiring players.

Martin holds a degree in Business studies and sports management, having previously been recruited by the LMU soccer programm. He is bi-lingual, and demonstrates a lasting empathy with his growing client base.

Feb 2 - MLS teams Pre-season training and games in Ventura

Hosted by First Wave and VC Fusion, the pre-season training programm for Portland Timbers, one of the new expansion franchises in MLS, got off to a great start yesterday in the sunshine of Ventura Ca.

John Spencer, Head Coach of Portland, was quoted as comparing the grass field facilities to those of a perfectly manicured bowling green! "Fantastic surface, wonderful weather, and superb facilities are all helping us get focused in this our first year as an MLS team".

Portland will spend 9 days before being joined by San Jose Earthquakes , and then followed by DC United ,who will all avail themselves of the same facilities and support game schedule provided by First Wave.

Vancouver Whitecaps, another expansion team, experienced the benefits of the Ventura hospitality pre Christmas.

Portland Timbers Website: http://www.portlandtimbers.com/
More:: Portland Timber Coaches Happy with Practice in California

Jan - First Wave signs new UK Representative Mike Williams

Mike Williams who brings over twelve years of experience as an F.A licensed agent heads up our Uk office ,he has tremendous knowledge of the game complimented by a broad appreciation of business and commercial opportunities.

Mike has been instrumental in a number of high profile transfers and has established a reputation and respect with both players, coaches and leading clubs for his negotiation skills. He has successfully managed and organised numerous tours, training camps and friendly matches in Europe, Far East and USA for clubs and teams such as Chelsea, Celtic , Motherwell, Liverpool , Newcastle United, Wolves ,Boavista , Shanghai Shenyua , India and Pakistan national teams etc.

Prior to becoming a licensed agent Mike built a succesful career in sports and brand marketing with major companies such as Umbro, Mitre , Russell and Bosch which has given him wide experience of the demands of Global business and a strong network of international contacts

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