The Ansin Sports Complex in Miramar, Florida, will become the first of several geographically located facilities across the country to be named
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ORLANDO, Fla. - Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Track and Field announces a new Global Training Center initiative created to provide AAU track athletes the opportunity to train like an elite athlete at world-class facilities. The first facility designated an AAU Global Training Center is the Ansin Sports Complex located in Miramar, Florida.
"The AAU believes every athlete deserves the opportunity not only to compete but also have access to the best facilities available," said AAU President & CEO Jennings "Rusty" Buchanan. "This new initiative aligns perfectly with our goal of consistently providing the very best event or training experience, conducted in safe environments, for all athletes, coaches, and their families."
Opening in 2009, Ansin Sports Complex currently hosts five (5) national events for AAU Track and Field. A 24-acre state-of-the-art sports complex, it features a Mondo running track identical to the 2008 Olympic track in Beijing, along with a 9,000 square foot recreation center, multiple sports fields for football, softball, soccer, basketball, and baseball plus a 5,000 square foot covered children's boundless playground.
"AAU Track and Field is excited to announce its first Global Training Center," said Charles "Coach O" Oliver, AAU Track and Field National Chair. "From the grassroots level up to the Olympics, we want all our athletes to have the opportunity to train like an elite athlete at world-class facilities. We are thrilled to bring Ansin Sports Complex onboard as our first training center."
The International Associated of Athletics Federation (IAAF)-certified running track is equipped with hurdles, high jump pads and standards, pole vault pads and standards, three long jump pits, one discus and shot cage, a 200-meter practice track area.
"We believe in the grassroots and spirit of AAU Track and Field and strive to take things to another level," said Clarence "Reggie" Williams, Athletic Program Manager with The City of Miramar, Florida. "The city of Miramar will now have a global presence thanks to the support of AAU and Mondo."
Besides boasting a premier facility, AAU Global Training Centers will also be geographically located with an airport nearby and other transportation options easily available. Approximately 25 miles from the Miami airport, Ansin Sports Complex's proximity to Miami makes the Complex accessible from all areas of the world as well as provides a wide-array of restaurants, shops, and other things to do while in Miramar.
"The partnership between AAU Track and Field, Mondo and the City of Miramar creates a tremendous opportunity for sports in our region," said Mike Sophia, Vice President of Sports and Entertainment for the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB. "We look forward to working with these partners to benefit the sport and our community."
The Ansin Sports Complex track was created by Mondo, a world leader in track and field surfacing and features a Mondotrack SX track surface. The Ansin track is one of only four Class 2 internationally certified tracks in the United States. The premium track surface adds to the overall elite-level training feel of the Complex as a whole.
"Mondo congratulates the Ansin Sports Complex on being named one of the AAU Global Training Centers," said Michael Tovar, Director Mondo Track Division. "As a corporate supporter of AAU, one of the nation's largest youth track and field event organizers, Mondo looks forward to continuing to work with the organization to promote and develop amateur sports and physical fitness programs."
The AAU Track and Field program consists of athletes of all ages, hosting events at the local, state, regional, and national levels throughout the United States each year.
For more information on AAU Track and Field, visit aautrackandfield.org
For more information on Ansin Sports Complex, visit miramarfl.gov/1663/Track-and-