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Welcome To: AC Cugini Scuola Calcio
 
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Is AC Cugini the Right Place for You?

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, AC 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 the statistics prove, over 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.



       
Sanctionings & 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 is a member of Virginia Youth Soccer Association, US Youth Soccer, National Capital Soccer League (NCSL), Old Dominion Soccer League (ODSL), Washington Area Girls Soccer League (WAGS), and Suburban Friendship League (SFL).


Cugini's 10th Annual Play Soccer in Italy

Don't miss the chance to be in Italy during World Cup 2010!

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 2010, Cugini members and non-members can take advantage of three exciting summer programs in Italy. Entire families are always welcome.

Program 1 will take place during the 2010 World Cup!  Don't miss this incredible opportunity to be in Italy when the Italian national team defends its 2006 World Cup title!



Program 1: June 23-July 7, 2010

Boys & Girls, Ages 9-17

Highlights:  Training camp, tournament play, and friendly matches. Italian talent scouts will observe all players during the tournament and the training camp.

Locations: 5 days in Rome and 9 days in San Benedetto del Tronto (beach resort on the Adriatic coast). Day trips to Assisi, Ascoli Piceno, Acquavia Piceno.
  • 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. 
  • Training December 2009 - June 2010 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 entire trip.
  • To reserve a seat on the group flight on Air France, a $150 per person deposit must be submitted by 10/5.
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 like 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  - 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.comwww.eurosportsgear.com www.massportusa.com
F
or more information on 2010 Play Soccer in Italy programs: visit the Programs in Italy page, or contact Lisa Cherubini @ 703.477.6590; info@cuginisoccer.com.

To guest play on a Cugini Play Soccer in Italy team or to have a full team participate: Contact Fabio Diletti @ 703.477.5957; president@cuginisoccer.com.

To review photos from previous Play Soccer in Italy programs: visit Cugini's Photo Gallery.



 

AC Cugini First Club in USA To Dedicate Team Matches to Peace Day!

On September 20, 2009, all AC Cugini teams dedicated their regularly scheduled home matches to Peace as part of Peace One Day's One Day One Goal campaign. Pictured above are two Cugini teams—the Calciomania 97 boys and the Calciomania 93 girls—and the visiting teams, the Sterling Thunder and the VSA Heat Blue in their Peace Day t-shirts. Many thanks to the players, coaches, referees, and spectators who helped support these peace matches!

For more information on Peace Day, visit Peace One Day




Travel Team Tryouts Through October 9

Independent Teams Also Welcome

T
ryouts for Cugini travel teams for program year 2009-2010, beginning with Fall 2009 season are by appointment only in Reston through October 9. (Fall league play ends November 15). We also welcome independent teams to fill our club's spots in WAGS, NCSL, and ODSL.

Fall 2009 Teams and Open Spots (as of 8/27/09):
  • U15/U16 Girls (ODSL Division 1): 1 field player o second Goalkeeper
  • U11 Boys
  • U12 Boys (ODSL Division 1): Goalkeeper
  • U18 Boys; U19 Boys (NCSL Division 2): 2 field players
Added Benefits: 
  • Family discounts for second child from same family on a Cugini travel team.
  • Free Goalkeeper training year round
  • Free House League registration for siblings
  • Summer Camp discounts
  • Automatic acceptance on Cugini’s Italy tournament teams traveling to Italy each summer.
  • Free training in Italy
  • Review by talent scouts for numerous professional Italian clubs
  • Tryout arrangements in Italy with professional Italian clubs for select players, including all translation services, and negotiation services in Italy
Independent teams: Cugini has open spots for independent teams wishing to play in WAGS, NCSL, and ODSL - 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.

To arrange a tryout or discuss bringing an independent team to Cugini, contact Cugini President Fabio Diletti: 703.477.5957; president@cuginisoccer.com






Recreational SFL Teams

Saturday Play: Ages 11-16

Cugini's older recreational teams are for girls and boys ages 11-16 who don't wish to pursue a year-round travel soccer program or cannot play games on Sundays. Older recreational teams compete in the Suburban Friendship League (SFL), where teams play games on Saturdays on fields in Northern Virginia.

Additional Benefits:

  • Professional instruction one practice per week
  • Family discount of $25 for second child
  • Free Goalkeeper training
  • Free House League registration for younger siblings (ages 4-9)
  • Summer Camp discounts in USA
  • Free training in Italy each summer
    If you have any questions on joining a Cugini SFL team, please contact Cugini at 866.792.9433;registration@cuginisoccer.com




    Piccoli Amici Pulcini & House League

    Free for Siblings of Players on Cugini Travel Teams and SFL Teams

    Registration for Cugini's Fall 2009 Coed Piccoli Amici and Pulcini House League (ages 4-9) closed on September 25. Practices are directed by Cugini President Fabio Diletti, a native Italian who played as a goalkeeper for professional Italian club Ascoli Calcio. The program includes two practices per week (Tuesdays and Thursdays: 4:30-6:00pm) and games Saturday mornings at 10:00am ar Baron Cameron Park, Reston.

    Additional Benefits:

    • Professional instruction 3 hours per week.
    • Family discount of $45 for second child from same family
    • Returning player discount of $5 (players returning from Spring 09 season)
    • Note: The fee is waived for any siblings of players on Cugini Travel or SFL teams. 

     
     
     
     
     
      2009—2010 Program Calendar   Minimize
     

    2009

    September 1—November 15
    Travel Team Training & League Play
    Reston, VA

    September 1—November 15
    SFL Team Training & League Play
    Reston, VA

    September 15—November 7
    Fall House League Practices and Games
    Reston, VA

    September 19—November 14
    Fall Goalkeeper Training
    Reston, VA

    September 19—20
     Cugini Home & Away Games
    Dedicated to Peace Day
    Virginia and Maryland

    October 1 
     Play Soccer in Italy 2010 Registration Opens
     Cugini Members & Non-Members 
    Rome & Italian Adriatic - June 2010

    December 122
    Winter Outdoor Training 
    Travel Teams & Italy Tournament Teams

    December 5
    AC Cugini 4th Annual Torneo Festivo
    Fun Scrimmages
    Non-Members Welcome
    Reston, VA

    2010

    January—February
    Winter Outdoor Training 
     Travel Teams & Italy Tournament Teams
    Reston 

    January 9February 27
    Winter Outdoor Goalkeeper Training
    Reston 

    March 1June 15
    Cugini Travel Team Training & League Play
    Reston 

    April 13June 5
    Spring House League Practices & Games
    Reston 

    June 12
    Annual Cugini Family Picnic

    June 23—July 7
    10th Annual Play Soccer in Italy
    Players Ages 9-17
    Rome and the Italian Adriatic

    July 4—12
    10th Annual Play Soccer in Italy
    Players Ages 9-16
    Tuscany: Viareggio, Florence, Pisa

    July 16—23
    10th Annual Play Soccer in Italy 
    Adult Players 18 and older
    Bellagio, Lake Como

    July 19—23
    Training Camps
    Chicago, IL

    August 3—29
    Summer Goalkeeper Training
    Reston, VA

    August 2—31
    Summer Travel Team Training
    Reston, VA

    August 7—28
    Summer Goalkeeper Training
    Reston, VA

    August 28—November 13
     Fall SFL Team Training & League Play
    Reston, VA

    September 1—November 14
    Fall Travel Team Training & League Play
    Reston, VA

    September 14—November 6
    Fall House League Practices and Games
    Reston, VA

    September 19—21
     Cugini Home & Away Games  
    Dedicated to Peace Day
    Virginia and Maryland



      
      Play Soccer in Italy 2009 Huge Success!!!   Minimize
     


    Cugini team members and their families recently returned from a fun-filled and successful trip to Italy in June and July as part of AC Cugini's 9th Annual Play Soccer in Italy program. After 4 days in Montecatini Terme outside Florence, the group spent time in Viareggio on the Tuscan coast where Cugini teams participated in a 5-day training camp with professional Italian club FC Esperia Viareggio as well as tournament play against local Italian teams. After Viareggio, the group traveled to the Adriatic beach resort of San Benedetto del Tronto where Cugini players had 5 v 5 scrimmages with teams from the beautiful medieval town of Aquaviva Picena. Our wonderful hosts in Aquaviva treated everyone to a tour of the city and visit to local winery, Cherri, where parents enjoyed a wonderful wine tasting. The trip concluded with brief stay in Bologna.For photo highlights of the Play Soccer in Italy 2009 trip, visit the Cugini Photo Gallery and select the Soccer in Italy 2009 photo album.



      
      Ciao il Capitano - Grazie per Tutto!   Minimize
     


    Ciao Paolo!

    After Playing 
    Over 900 Games with AC Milan
    a Legend Says Goodbye



      
      Italian Earthquake Relief Fund   Minimize
     


    Cugini President and Founder Fabio Diletti was born and raised in Ascoli Piceno, just 40 minutes from L’Aquila - the epicenter of the devastating earthquake that struck the Abruzzo region in central Italy in April. Nearly 300 people in L’Aquila and surrounding towns died, with 40,000 people left homeless. The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) has established a special NIAF/Abruzzo Relief Fund to help the victims of the earthquake. You can make a contribution to the relief effort via the NIAF website.

      
      Peace Day September 21   Minimize
     




    One Day One Goal
    Are You Ready to Play?
    AC Cugini is pleased to announce that it is working with Cugini Board Member Bob McCormick and his organization, The Sheppard, to develop a campaign to have soccer teams, clubs, and leagues throughout the United States dedicate their regularly scheduled soccer matches or pick up games played September 19-21 in honor of Peace Day, September 21. Cugini is honored to be the first soccer club in the USA to dedicate all its home matches to Peace day. Through our outreach efforts, we have gained the support of Virginia Youth Soccer Association (VYSA) for Peace Day as well as the Washington Area Girls Soccer league (WAGS). This is just the beginning of what we hope to be a nationwide effort in the years to come to engage the U.S. youth and adult soccer community in Peace Day and One Day One Goal!
      
      AC Cugini's Generous Sponsors   Minimize