By ALESHA CAPONE
CLUB Italia in Sunshine has netted a prestigious award for its youth soccer camps.
The club has won the Youth Development Award at the Community Clubs Association of Victoria (CCAV) Awards.
Club Italia president Leo Vargiu said more than 500 children and teenagers had taken part in the Juventus soccer camps.
“The coaches are flown in from Italy, we are hoping that they bring some of the successful culture they have from Europe to us here,” Mr Vargiu said.
“We are the only Juventus camp in Australia, so we are fortunate to have them teach our children.
“It’s great seeing the smiles on the children’s faces, the eagerness they come with each morning and how they don’t miss sessions.
“We love the fun they have with the Italian coaches, whilst seeing the noticeable improvement to their skills by the end of the week.
“The biggest compliment to the club is when the children come back for the repeat camps.”
Schools in Albion, Keilor, Sunshine and Essendon have taken part in the soccer program.
Club Italia also has a partnership with Sports Education Development Australia (SEDA) which offers a sports certificate for youth in the Melbourne Victory program, is home to the Brimbank Stallions soccer club and helps schools like the Jackson School in St Albans with vocational training.
Alongside the youth development award, the Club Italia bistro was a finalist at the CCAV awards as one of the top four bistros in Melbourne.
“It’s great, as it proves that we can do great things here in the West, that we should not underestimate ourselves, but give it a go and work at it,” Mr Vargiu said.
Club Italia will hold a free trial for its soccer camp on 18 January next year, see http://clubitaliasporting.com.au to register.
