Jon Ansotegi will be presented with the club’s Gold and Diamond Insignia during the moments before kick-off in Real Sociedad’s Week 4 meeting with Real Madrid. The former txuri-urdin centre-back, who made 305 appearances for the club during the 11 years he spent with the first team, will be formally recognized for his services and loyalty on Sunday 17th. During the minutes leading up to one of the biggest games of the season, one of the club’s greatest players – both on the pitch and in terms of representing our club’s values, will be presented with the highest distinction awarded by Real Sociedad. Ansotegi currently is part of Real Sociedad’s technical department. He occupies a supporting role to coaching staff at Sanse, Real Sociedad C and the Under-19s, as well as monitoring and mentoring players from all three of the abovementioned teams.
Maite Azkoaga, Aintzane Encinas and Maialen Zelaia
ExField Hockey player Maite Azkoaga and former Women’s team players Aintzane Encinas and Maialen Zelaia will also be presented with Real Sociedad’s Gold and Diamond Insignia. Maite, Aintzane and Maialen will each receive the accolade in recognition of their sporting merits. Our three ex-sportswomen will be honoured with a well-deserved tribute during moments leading up to the league game against Valencia CF on 24 September (20:45 hours).
Pedro Ozcariz and Francisco Pizarro
Two historic coaches who led teams in two of the club’s most popular sections – athletics and sub-aquatic sports, will also receive the Gold and Diamond Insignia in recognition of a whole lifetime dedicated to La Real. Pedro Ozcariz, who was Secretary for the Athletics section from 1965, going on to become Head of the section in 1984, together with Francisco Pizarro, co-founder of sub-aquatic sports section and the founder and director of the International Festival of Underwater Film for 35 years, will be honoured ahead of kick-off just before the home game against Real Betis on 1 October (12 hours).