AC Cugini 9th Annual Play Soccer in Italy Program
In 2001, Cugini developed an international athletic and educational program, Play Soccer in Italy, to further expose American players to Italian player development; allow players the opportunity to add international playing and training experience to their soccer background; offer the most talented players access to Italian talent scouts, and have American youth and their families experience the countless wonders of the Italian culture and history. This highly successful program was an important element of the special recognition Cugini received in 2004 from the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI).
In 2009, Cugini members and nonmembers can take advantage of three exciting summer programs in Italy detailed below, including a 5-day training camp with a professional Italian club and tournament play near Florence; training with UEFA-licensed instructors from the Italian National Olympic Committee and friendly matches with Italian youth teams on the Italian Adriatic coast;; and tournament play for adult players in bella Bellagio on world-renowned Lake Como. Entire families are always welcome.
Special Discounts & Free Travel Options
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:
- Option 1: For every 14 people registered from outside Cugini (including family members), the 15th person may participate free of charge in any Play Soccer in Italy program, to include the land package - training, hotels, meals, ground transportation. No other tour operator offers a travel incentive lke this!
- 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. To discuss your club's uniform needs and discounts for Play Soccer in Italy tours, contact Franco Sepede, 630.930.9056; fsepede@eurosportsgear.com; www.eurosportsgear.com www.massportusa.com
For more information on the 2009 Play Soccer in Italy program, travel discounts, or to request a brochure: Please contact Lisa Cherubini @ 703.477.6590; info@cuginisoccer.com.
To review photos from previous Play Soccer in Italy programs, visit Cugini's Photo Gallery.
Play Soccer in Italy Program 1 - June 18-July 3, 2009
Boys & Girls, Ages 9-16
Highlights: 5-day training camp with a professional Italian club; tournament and friendly matches. Italian talent scouts will observe all players during the tournament and the training camp.
Locations: 8 days in Montecatini Terme (near Florence), 4 days at the Italian Adriatic beach resort San Benedetto del Tronto; 3 days in Bologna.
Program fees: $3100 per person; Plus player fees--$250 Cugini travel team member--$600 non-Cugini travel team member. Includes:
- 5 full-day training camps and lunch; transportation to camp;
- 3-4 tournament games against Italian teams;
- 2 sets of uniforms for all tournament games;
- Fiorentina Camp kit: 2 sets of uniforms, socks, Bermuda shorts, polo shirt, backpack;
- Roundtrip airfare: Group flight; Washington Dulles to Bologna;
- 14 nights hotel accommodations at 3 and 4 star hotels, and all taxes;
- Breakfast daily; 12 dinners;
- Group ground transport: airport and hotel transfers; transport to tournament games;
- Entrance to private beach, chairs, umbrella;
- Bilingual tour guides.
Notes:
- Open to all players in the USA and Canada. Non-Cugini members are welcome to participate as guest players on Cugini teams. Entire teams welcome.
- The 5-day training camp is free for players enrolled in Cugini's 11-month travel team program.
- Training December 2008 - June 2009 in Virginia for non-Cugini team members with Cugini President Fabio Diletti included at no additional cost.
- Fees will be prorated for anyone not using the group airfare or for anyone not participating in the full 14 days.
To guest play on a Cugini Play Soccer in Italy team or to have a full team paticipate: Contact Fabio Diletti @ 703.477.5957; president@cuginisoccer.com
To register for this program or request a brochure: Contact Lisa Cherubini @ 703.477.6590; info@cuginisoccer.com
Play Soccer in Italy Program 2 - July 4-13, 2009
Boys & Girls, Ages 9-15
Highlights: 5-day training camp on Italian Adriatic with UEFA-licensed instructors from the Italian National Olympic Committee
Locations: 7 days at the beach in San Benedetto del Tronto (Italian Adriatic); 3 days in Montecatini Terme (near Florence)
Program fees: Player: $1900; Non-player: $1700. Includes:
- 5 full days of training;
- Friendly matches with Italian youth teams;
- 9 nights hotel accommodations
- Breakfast daily, 9 dinners; 5 lunches for players during training camps;
- Group transport - to all training camps and friendly matches;
- Camp kit: 2 sets of uniforms, socks, backpack;
- Bilingual tour guides.
Notes:
- Open to all players in the USA and Canada. Single players or full teams welcome. Chaperones available.
- Airfare not included; Assistance obtaining airfares can be provided.
To register for this program or request a brochure: Contact Lisa Cherubini @ 703.477.6590; info@cuginisoccer.com
Play Soccer in Italy Program 3 -- July 16-23, 2009
Men & Women, Age 18 & older
Highlights: 5 tournament matches for adult players in Bellagio on Lake Como in Northern Italy
Location: Bellagio, Lake Como (north of Milan)
Hotels: Hotel du Lac, Hotel Bellagio
Program fees: Player: $1450; Non-player: $1300. Includes:
- Tournament play in Bellagio, the pearl of Lake Como, against local Italian teams. Minimum 5 games (1 per evening);
- 7 nights hotel accommodations in Bellagio;
- Breakfast daily, 7 dinners;
- Airport and hotel transfers (July 16 and 23 only);
- Use of Sporting Club pool, lounge chair, towels;
- Two sets of uniforms; tournament registration fees;
- Bilingual tour guides.
Notes:
- .
- Open to all players in the USA and Canada. Single players or full teams welcome
- Airfare not included; Upon request, assistance obtaining airfares will be provided; Closest airports: Milan Malpensa or Milan LInate
- Games are played 8 v 8 in the evening on lit turf field in Bellagio. The level of play is highly competitive for mens teams; much less competitive for adult womens teams but lots of fun for all.
- If adult players have children younger than age 18 interested in playing, we can arrange for some friendly matches with local youth teams ages 9-15.
Number of teams: Limited to 4-6 teams (9-10 players per team). These teams will be mixed age groups as this trip is intended for older players and adults. Teams will be formed based on age of registrants. Were currently focusing on male teams ages 18-45. Upon request, we can also create coed or female only teams.
Additional activities (extra fees apply): There will be plenty of free time to explore magnificent Lake Como, Milan, or nearby Switzerland, or take advantage of the countless sporting athletic activities this area offers: swimming, sailing, tennis, golf, windsurfing, cycling, walking in mountains, paragliding, water skiing, wake boarding, horseback riding. Motorcycle tours around the lake or to Switzerland with American guide can can also be arranged. Or plan a visit to the the unique Madonna di Ghisallo bicylce church and bicycle museum 15 minutes from Bellagio.
To register for this program or request a brochure: Contact Lisa Cherubini @ 703.477.6590; info@cuginisoccer.com
