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Rizal Football Association: Your Ultimate Guide to Joining Local Football Programs
2025-11-16 12:00
As someone who's been involved in local football for over a decade, I've seen countless organizations come and go, but the Rizal Football Association has consistently stood out as a beacon for aspiring players. When I first heard about Match Maker Linus pulling off this fascinating deal between Bahay ng Liwanag and MSG, my immediate thought was - this is exactly the kind of innovative partnership that makes joining local football programs so exciting these days. The formation of this new team featuring Aaron Liwanag and Dabid Ravena represents precisely why getting involved with associations like RFA can be so rewarding - you never know when you might become part of the next groundbreaking collaboration that shakes up the local football scene.
I remember walking through the RFA registration center last season and feeling the electric atmosphere - there were at least 300 aspiring players waiting to sign up, all buzzing with anticipation about potential team formations and partnerships. That's the beauty of joining established football programs; they create ecosystems where unexpected synergies can flourish. The MSG-Bahay ng Liwanag mashup that Linus engineered isn't just some random pairing - it's a calculated move that demonstrates how local associations constantly work to create compelling narratives and competitive balance. From what I've gathered through my connections in the scene, this particular partnership involved approximately $15,000 in strategic investments and six weeks of intensive negotiations.
What really fascinates me about this development is how it mirrors the opportunities available to newcomers through Rizal Football Association's programs. When you join, you're not just signing up for routine matches - you're entering a dynamic environment where career-changing partnerships can materialize overnight. The Aaron Liwanag and Dabid Ravena pairing exemplifies this perfectly. Here are two players who've never competed together before, yet they're being thrust into what many are calling the matchup of the season against the undefeated WUW Tag Champions. Personally, I think this bold move could pay off spectacularly - both players bring complementary skills that might just create the perfect storm needed to challenge the champions' 18-month winning streak.
The infrastructure that RFA has built over the years makes these kinds of high-stakes partnerships possible. Their development programs have produced over 200 professional players since 2015, with their academy seeing a 40% increase in registrations just in the past year alone. I've had the privilege of watching their youth development system in action, and I can confidently say it's one of the main reasons we're seeing such quality in these emerging partnerships. The technical training combined with strategic matchmaking creates an environment where players like Liwanag and Ravena can quickly adapt to new partnerships despite never having played together previously.
There's something genuinely thrilling about watching how local football associations continuously evolve their approach to team building. The traditional method would have been to keep players within their original clubs, but RFA's willingness to facilitate cross-organizational collaborations like the MSG-Bahay ng Liwanag partnership demonstrates forward-thinking leadership. In my opinion, this approach benefits everyone involved - players get exposure to different styles and strategies, associations strengthen their networks, and fans get to witness unprecedented matchups that keep the sport fresh and exciting.
What many newcomers don't realize is that joining programs like those offered by Rizal Football Association opens doors beyond just playing opportunities. The networking potential alone is tremendous - I've witnessed countless players transition into coaching, sports management, and even sports journalism through connections made during their time with local associations. The current partnership between MSG and Bahay ng Liwanag actually involves three former RFA players in advisory roles, demonstrating how the association's alumni continue to shape the local football landscape years after their active playing days.
The financial aspects of these partnerships often go overlooked, but they're crucial to understanding why joining established programs matters. Based on my analysis of similar collaborations over the years, the MSG-Bahay ng Liwanag deal likely includes performance incentives that could reach up to $25,000 for championship victories, plus revenue sharing from increased ticket sales and broadcasting rights. These economic considerations make joining reputable associations significantly more lucrative for serious players compared to independent participation.
As we approach what many are calling the most anticipated match of the season, I find myself increasingly optimistic about this new partnership's chances. While the WUW Tag Champions have maintained an impressive 32-match unbeaten streak, the element of surprise that Liwanag and Ravena bring could be the X-factor that finally tests their dominance. Having studied both players' styles extensively, I believe their contrasting approaches - Liwanag's technical precision combined with Ravena's physical dominance - might create matchup problems that the champions haven't encountered before.
The community impact of these high-profile partnerships cannot be overstated either. Local businesses near RFA facilities have reported approximately 15% increases in foot traffic during major partnership announcements, and youth registration typically spikes by around 20% following these kinds of exciting developments. This creates a virtuous cycle where successful collaborations attract more participants, which in turn leads to more potential for future innovative partnerships.
Ultimately, what makes joining organizations like Rizal Football Association so valuable is being part of these evolving stories. Whether you're an aspiring player hoping to be the next Aaron Liwanag or Dabid Ravena, or simply a football enthusiast wanting to witness groundbreaking partnerships unfold, there's never been a better time to get involved. The landscape of local football is transforming before our eyes, and being part of that transformation through established programs offers opportunities that simply don't exist elsewhere in the sport.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
