Mayor Bevilacqua welcomes soccer team from Friuli, Italy to Vaughan
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The boys’ team is competing in the Under 17 International Youth Soccer Cup Tournament
Mayor
Maurizio Bevilacqua issued the following statement today to welcome the Under 17
boys’ soccer team from Friuli, Italy to the city of Vaughan:
“I am pleased to welcome the Friuli Venezia
Giulia Lega Dilettanti Futbol Club boys’ soccer team to the City of Vaughan.
The team is competing in the Under 17 International Youth Soccer Cup Tournament,
along with seven other teams from around the world.
“The team has travelled across the world from the
Friuli Region in Italy to compete internationally at this impressive level.
“The Under 17 International Youth Soccer Cup
Tournament is a prestigious competition. It was founded by star soccer players
Roberto Bettega and Sebastian Giovinco, together with the Toronto Azzurri
Soccer Club and Toronto FC, to highlight top amateur athletes on the world
stage.
“Soccer is truly a unifying force for good.
“When athletes achieve greatness, it is often
due to the collective efforts of many individuals, including parents, family
members, school staff, coaches and their teammates. Each plays an important and
significant role in creating an environment for young athletes to excel in
their sport.
“I was pleased to welcome Dottor Ermes
Canciani, President of the Regional Committee of the Friuli Venezia Giulia
Futbol Club, as well as Fabio Molinari, Roberto Zanitti, Simone Fornasiere and
Robert Iarusci, Chairman of the Toronto Azzurri Soccer Club, to Vaughan City
Hall to discuss the success of the tournament and the outstanding support they
continue to receive from our soccer community.
“As a former professional soccer player and a lifelong
fan, I understand how important discipline, dedication and teamwork are in achieving
success.
“Soccer is a sport that knows no boundaries. In
Vaughan, we have a strong soccer tradition. The sport is an important part of
our identity and community life. In fact, the city has one of the highest
soccer participation rates in all of Canada.
“Last year the City of Vaughan was proud to welcome
the Canadian Premier League to announce the launch of their first professional
sports franchise, York
9 Football Club. Their inaugural season is already well underway.
“I hope that the Friuli team will enjoy everything
Vaughan has to offer, and I wish them all the best in the tournament.
“In bocca al lupo —
in other words, good luck!”
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