Cugini Sanctioning & Affiliations
AC Cugini, based in Northern Virginia, near Washington, DC, is an official Italian scuola calcio sanctioned by the Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) and the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI). Cugini, which also has facilities in Italy at Rome-based ASD COR 2005, is a member of the Virginia Youth Soccer Association, US Youth Soccer, the Old Dominion Soccer League (ODSL), the National Capital Soccer League (NCSL), the Washington Area Girls Soccer League (WAGS), and the Suburban Friendship League (SFL).
Is AC Cugini the Right Place for Your Child?
As the first and only official Italian scuola calcio (soccer school) in North America sanctioned by the Italian National Olympic Committee and the Italian Soccer Federation, Cugini Soccer clearly offers a unique and exceptional training environment for American players. However, our premier Italian soccer school program is not for everyone. So be sure you review this website thoroughly and ask school officials any questions BEFORE you enroll your child in a Cugini program or have them try out for a Cugini travel team.
We only consider players for our travel teams who have a passion for the game, are coachable, and can commit to year-round training. Along with the player commitment comes parental commitment to our school's philosophy and understanding that a player's development is not instantaneous but occurs over many seasons of proper instruction and play along with positive reinforcement from parents and coaches. Thus we ask parents not to consider Cugini if their main interest is to find a new and more winning team for their child each season; or a venue for their child to be the "star". In reality, the player who may show signs of "talent" at age 8 (which is rare) is not necessarily the strongest player by age 13 or even the still playing the game - as unfortunately, 70% of American youth players quit the sport by age 13.
At Cugini, each player is an integral part of the team, and a team's success is not dependent on just one or two players but the entire squad and the level of passion for the sport each player holds. Our goal is to develop players over the long term and nurture passion for the game, in keeping with the long tradition and history of success of the Italian scuola calcio model. With that in mind, Cugini travel teams are not run by parents who select coaches or trainers - the school chooses coaches and trainers who all follow the same Italian player development methodology.
Earn Free Travel to Italy - 9th Annual Play Soccer in Italy Programs
In 2001, AC Cugini developed an international athletic and educational program, Play Soccer in Italy, to expose American youth to Italian player development; allow players the opportunity to add international experience to their soccer background; and offer families the chance to experience the countless wonders of Italy and its magnificent culture. With over 75 years combined experience living in and traveling to Italy and 30 years specializing in Italian player development, AC Cugini's bilingual staff strive to bring players the most unique international soccer programs available. Detailed below are three exciting Summer 2009 programs in Italy, for players of all ages, custom designed exclusively for Cugini by our partner Italia Soccer Tours, including the first program for adult players in beautiful Bellagio on world-renowned Lake Como. All programs are open to any player in the United States or Canada. Single players, full teams, and entire famlies are welcome.
Fully understanding that overseas travel is costly, particularly in these challenging economic times, our partner, Italia Soccer Tours, and Cugini sponsor, Eurosportsgear, are now offering special travel bonuses:
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Option 1: For every 14 people registered from the same team or club outside Cugini (including parents and siblangs) the 15th person may participate free of charge in any Play Soccer in Italy program (to include land package - hotels, meals, ground transportation).
- Option 2: For those looking for a uniform vendor with great prices and unbeatable customer service - consider purchasing from Chicago-based Eurosportsgear, which represents Italian manufacturers MASS and Legea (hugely popular in Italy). Eurosportsgear is now offering exciting purchase incentives - unlike any other uniform vendor - including discounts for any Play Soccer in Italy tour.
AC Cugini has been purchasing unifroms and accessories from Eurosportsgear for 5 years and we can attest to the fact that the quality of the merchandise, affordability, and customer service that Eurosportsgear offers all it clients is unparalleled. So if your club is looking to save money - yet still offer your members high-quality products, it may be time to break away from the more common and expensive brands frequently worn by U.S. players and consider purchasing a top-quality Italian line. You'll be shocked by the cost savings! And where else can you purchase great products and receive discounts to travel to Italy?
Soccer in Italy Program 1 -- June 18-July 2 (Boys & Girls, Ages 10-16)
5-day training camp with professional Italian club ACF Fiorentina (free for Cugini travel team members) near Florence; tournament and friendly matches. Includes 8 days in Montecatini Terme (near Florence), 4 days at the Italian Adriatic beach resort San Benedetto del Tronto, 3 days in Bologna.
Soccer in Italy Program 2 -- July 4-13 (Boys & Girls, Ages 9-15)
5-day training camp on the Italian Adriatic at professional facility with UEFA-licensed instructors from Italian National Olympic Committee and friendly matches with Italian youth teams. Includes 7 days at the beach in San Benedetto del Tronto; 3 days in Montecatini near Florence.
Soccer in Italy Program 3 -- July 16-23 (Men & Women, Age 18 & older)
5 tournament matches (8 v8) for adult players in the beautiful resort town of Bellagio on Lake Como in Northern Italy. Includes 8 days in Bellagio, the "pearl" of Lake Como.
Winter 2009 Training
December 13, 2008-March 12
As Cugini is first and foremost a school, training resources are available to Cugini members on a year-round basis. Don't miss the opportunity to enhance your technical and tactical skills in Cugini's popular Italian Olympic Sanctioned Winter Training program - which is mandatory part of Cugini travel team training. Most sessions are outdoors at artificial turf field with lights - which also helps improve player's overall conditioning for the spring season. Non-members may also train with Cugini travel teams, subject to space.
To register for any Winter Training program, download the Winter 2008-09 Registration Form: Winter08-09Training
Travel Team Tryouts - Spring 2009
Tryouts for Cugini travel teams for Spring 2009 are by appointment only-- during regularly scheduled travel team practices this winter. Some teams are filled and some have a few spots available so be sure to contact Cugini officials about open spots. All Cugini members are automatically eligible for participation in tournament play in Italy each summer as well as free training in Italy with a professional Italian club and review by Italian talent scouts.
Spots Available in Cugini For Entire Teams Wishing to Play in WAGS, NCSL, ODSL: As a young but growing organization, Cugini has a large number of open spots for entire teams in WAGS, NCSL, and ODSL - from age 8 through 18 - which the club plans to fill. Cugini welcomes coaches and parents outside the club who have interest in forming new teams or bringing their current team to Cugini and working with us to teach more children the Italian Olympic Sanctioned player development program that has proven successful in Italy for generations.New teams have the option of joining Cugini's established 11-month travel program or designing their own training program, where they may continue to work with their current coach and trainer.
For more information on the Cugini program, or to discuss bringing a team to Cugini, contact Cugini President Fabio Diletti @ 703.477.5957; president@cuginisoccer.com. Tryout times are listed on the Tryouts Page.
Spring 09 House League Registration Now Open!
Introductory Italian Language Taught by Native Italian Speaker!
Registration for Cugini's Spring 2009Coed Piccoli Amici and Pulcini House League (ages 4-9) opens January 5. The tuition fee of $145 includes professional soccer instruction 3 hours per week directed by Cugini President Fabio Diletti, and Saturday morning games at Baron Cameron Park, Reston. Also included in the registration fee is introductory Italian language taught by native Italian speaker, a Cugini uniform, end of season trophy, VYSA insurance, and Fairfax County $5.50 user fee. There is a $15 sibling discout for secon and thrid child. Scholarships available to players with financial need.
For more information on Cugini's unique Piccoli Amici and Pulcini House League program, please review the House League page.
