For many young athletes in the Rio Grande Valley, access to coaching, mentorship, and high-level sports experiences often requires significant travel and expense. Karla Puente hopes to change that.
Founded earlier this year, RGV Prime Sports & Events was created to provide local student athletes with opportunities to learn from professional athletes and experienced coaches without leaving their community.
The organization’s first major event, a youth football camp scheduled for July 17 at the McAllen Sports Complex, will feature Dallas Cowboys wide receiver and return specialist KaVontae Turpin. Presented by Pure Physical Therapy and Pilates, the camp is open to athletes ages 6-16, regardless of experience level.
Puente said the organization was founded after recognizing that many local athletes lacked access to the same exposure, training, and mentorship available in larger markets.
“Many local athletes had to leave the Valley for high-level training, exposure and mentorship, so our goal became creating those same opportunities here at home through camps, clinics and events led by athletes and professionals,” Puente said.
Participants will have the opportunity to interact with professional athletes while developing football fundamentals in a camp environment designed to be accessible to athletes of varying skill levels. Puente said creating those experiences locally is a key part of the organization’s mission.
“Our goal is to give young athletes the opportunity to connect with athletes and mentors they normally wouldn’t have access to, while showing them that success at a high level is attainable with hard work, dedication and the right mindset,” Puente said.
The vision for RGV Prime Sports was shaped by Puente’s own experiences growing up in the Rio Grande Valley, where opportunities to connect with professional athletes and access high-level sports experiences were often limited.
As her career progressed, the relationships she built within the sports industry helped create the foundation needed to bring that vision to life.
“Growing up, I didn’t have opportunities like this available to me, and that’s a big part of why I’m passionate about creating them now,” Puente said. “The Valley has so much talent, and I think it’s important that we continue investing in our youth. There are already many people doing great work in our community, and I’m grateful to join those efforts. I simply want to do my part in creating opportunities and making a positive impact for the next generation.”
Accessibility remains a key component of the organization’s mission. The camps are designed for student athletes from a wide range of backgrounds and skill levels.
Although the organization is still in its infancy, Puente said success is measured by the impact the events have on participants and their families.
“For me, the biggest success story is simply being able to serve and create opportunities for these kids,” Puente said. “Seeing young athletes inspired, gaining confidence, building relationships and realizing that their dreams are possible, that’s the real success.”
Puente said the organization is intended to serve a larger purpose within the community.
“It’s bigger than sports,” Puente said. “It’s about impact, purpose and pouring back into our community.”
Looking ahead, RGV Prime Sports plans to expand beyond football through additional camps, clinics, and seminars serving multiple sports throughout the Rio Grande Valley.
“The future plans for RGV Prime Sports & Events are to continue growing and expanding opportunities for youth across the Rio Grande Valley,” Puente said. “No matter the sport, we want kids in our community to have access to opportunities that help them grow both on and off the field.”
As the organization prepares for its first summer camp, Puente said the broader mission remains centered on creating opportunities for the next generation of Valley athletes.
“More than anything, we want to continue building a positive platform that empowers the next generation and shows them they can succeed while proudly representing the Valley,” Puente said.
