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Last week a new supporter group of Athletic of Bilbao debuted in the Internet: it is called Boiseko Athletic Club Peña, and it is a soccer fan club based in Idaho, USA. The Basque community there is mainly descended form emigrants from Bizkaia, so, it is only natural that most Boise Basques are fans of Athletic. The Peña is eagerly waiting the Basque Soccer Friendly Match that will bring Athletic to Boise in July 29th. "We are all really excited at this once in a lifetime opportunity to enjoy a first class soccer game in Boise", says Henar Chico, president of the group.

Boise, USA. Last week a new Athletic Peña, this one in Boise, made the news. The group has just presented itself in Facebook, and is currently looking forward to two great events: the final of the Copa del Rey between Athletic and Barcelona (May 30th) and the friendly match between Athletic and Mexico's Tijuana that will take place in Boise (July 29th) during Jaialdi. EuskalKultura.com talked with the peña's president, Henar Chico.

When has it been founded and how many members are there?

-The Peña was formed on September 28th, 2014, by a group of 11 Athletic fans. There were myself, Henar Chico (President), Joe Lasuen (Vice President), Annie Gavica (Secretary), Mary Lasuen (Treasurer), Argia Beristain, Josu Zubizarreta, Alaina Gavica, Teresa Franzioa, Ryan Boyd, Johnny Boyd, and Martin Bilbao. We made the announcement and unveiled our Facebook page about a week ago. Soon we will also have a website where people can learn about Athletic, about the Peña, and sign up as a member.

Why did you decide to found it?

-We initially kicked around the idea of forming a Peña in Boise three or four years ago, but it wasn't until the Basque Soccer Friendly got closer to being a reality that we really decided to push forward and make it happen. We thought it was crucial to show our team how much they're loved, even thousands of miles away.

Is there a great expectation in Boise for the Jaialdi Match between Athletic and Tijuana? How is the Basque community living this event?

-It is amazing what a wonderful response the Basque Soccer Friendly is getting, not only from the Basque community, but from the community at large. We are all really excited at this one in a lifetime opportunity to enjoy a first class soccer game in Boise.

Are there many Athletic fans in Boise? Is the team known out the Basque community?

-Most people in Boise's Basque community come from Bizkaia, so naturally, most of us support Athletic of Bilbao. There are also a few Real Sociedad and Eibar followers as well. As far as non-Basques in Idaho, most are familiar with Real Madrid and Barcelona, but not so many with other teams in La Liga.

There are other peñas in the US: Miami, Alabama and a new one in NY. Are you in touch with them? Are you planning something special for the Copa final and the Boise match?

-All the Peñas in the US reached and congratulated us a few days ago when the announcement came out in Facebook. We are still a very young Peña, but I have no doubt that we will keep in touch with the other groups in the US in the future. As far as Copa del Rey, we are organizing a viewing party at the Basque Center, where people will have a chance to cheer and sign up for the Peña as well.

Boiseko Athletic Club Peña in Facebook, here.