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.com; www.eurosportsgear.com www.massportusa.com

For 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

Tryouts 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. 

Tryouts Page

---

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. 

SFL Recreational Teams Fall 2009

---

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. 

House League Details