World Footy News

In recognition of the many stars of Italian descent who have played in the professional Australian rules over the decades, the VFL/AFL Italian Team of the Century was selected in 2007, featuring such footballing royalty as Sergio and Steven Silvagni, Robert DiPierdomenico, Saverio Rocca, Mark Ricciuto and current star goalkicker Brendan Fevola. Named as honorary coach was 3rd generation Italian-Australian Ron Barassi, a great supporter of international Australian rules and one of the greatest players and coaches in the history of the game.

However, even while clubs and leagues are mushrooming elsewhere in Europe, footy has so far had a difficult time establishing an outpost in Italy, with a short-lived venture in Naples a few years ago the only presence before the formation of the AFL Italia this year.

In the northern city of Milan, footy fans Nicola Giampaolo and Armando Colombo have started a group playing Australian rules, consisting almost entirely of Italian nationals recruited from sports such as rugby, American football, soccer and basketball. A 15-man squad has been selected for the EU Cup, with only one non-Italian (a New Zealander) in the team.

The ‘AFL Italia’ Association has taken off this year and Nicola Giampaolo reports a growing participation of players at each training camp. Involved alongside Giampaolo and Colombo are Eurosport commentators of AFL Football Luca Tramontin and Gianluca Veneziano, and sports journalist Daniela Scalia.

Coaching has been led by Colombo and Giampaolo, who played footy at University in Melbourne. As he explains, "We have concentrated our efforts mainly in forming a squad of players to teach them the skills of the games. The players, all current athletes playing in respective rugby, basketball, soccer and gridiron clubs at competition level, have learnt the skills of the game through the training camps during which AusKick videos were viewed and discussed."

"The effort is to develop national players. In fact, the EU Cup will see the participation of 14 native Italians out of 15 players, with the only non-Italian a New Zealander. The decision to leave out Australians was based on the belief that the development must be effective, real and not just ‘on the paper’. The spreading of the game in Italy needs to see the participation of young Italian sportsmen that gradually learn the skills and enjoy playing the game."

"Italy is going to the EU Cup to participate in an international competition to gain experience and tough match practice for the players and with the intention of winning some games which would be very satisfying."

"The plans for the future look towards the formation of a number of clubs to give birth to a ‘league competition’ as well as play international fixtures with neighboring clubs and countries."

"The ultimate aim is to participate in the International Cup in Melbourne where the local Italian community can support the ‘Azzurri’ in the quest to develop Aussie Rules in a country where ‘alternative’ sports have difficulty in emerging."

The AFL Italia can be contacted via their Facebook group.