1902 Torontoazzurri
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MORE THAN LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT & CHAIR JUJUSTST A UUNION!NION! Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen: As President and Chair of the Toronto Azzurri Soccer Club we wish to extend a warm welcome to our third annual Toronto Azzurri Wall of Fame Induction Gala. Last year I reported that we would continue to expand our community programs and indeed we have. Thanks to our tireless friend and partner, retired Sgt. Steven Hicks, we now include special needs children in our activities. We are also happy to report that Mr. Ron Smale joined the Azzurri family soon after completing his presidency of The Ontario Soccer Association last October. Given his extensive navigational experience in the soccer world Mr. Smale has taken over the Under 17 International Cup file with promises to bring it to a higher level than the already successful previous two years. Stay tuned and save the date! (July 3rd to July 14th). As our Club continues along its philanthropic and benevolent journey we are reminded of the fact that we are here today thanks to those who paved the way for us. Indeed, one cannot successfully proceed along a chosen path without remembering where he came from. The LiUNA Families are proud to be part This evening we want to honor nine special individuals who have contributed significantly to the creation and formative years of the T.A.S.C. as well as to the evolution of the game of soccer, both nationally and internationally. of the Toronto Azzurri Soccer Club and Thank you, Gentlemen! We are indeed proud and privileged to count you as friends of the Azzurri. Tonight’s event would not be possible without your presence nor without the generosity of many other individuals the Azzurri LiUNA Clubhouse. and corporations. Thank you. Congratulations to the Inductees into the Toronto Azzurri Soccer Wall of Fame. Robert Iarusci, Chairman Ralph Ciccia, President Toronto Azzurri Soccer Club Toronto Azzurri Soccer Club Est. 1968 Est. 1968 2 TORONTO AZZURRI WALL OF FAME 3 TORONTO AZZURRI ‘FORKICKS’ AND ARTS In 1999, thirty one years after the Club’s genesis, the NEW Toronto Azzurri was reborn. A core group of over fifty(50) friends who had created a tight bond through soccer came together again to create a vision to build a Soccer Center of Excellence. We formed a Club Motto.......WE TEACH SOCCER AND BUILD CHARACTER. On a spring evening in 2003 we met SGT. Steve Hicks of Toronto Police Services 31 Division. Steve through his own program called “FOR KICKS’ introduced us to all the great work he was doing with the help of his Community Partners aimed at improving the lives of “AT RISK” youth. The Toronto Azzurri SC jumped on board and on April 29th , 2014 upon the opening of our NEW 6,000 sq. ft. Azzurri LIUNA Community Clubhouse located at 1 Carmen Principato Way at the Toronto Azzurri Youth Sport Village, it was announced that we would had evolved our vision to operate a Community Center of Excellence. We realized our benevolent purpose needed to reach far beyond just the game of soccer. We announced together, TORONTO AZZURRI FORKICKS AND ARTS would be running and sustaining sport, educational and cultural programming for our Community youth with special focus on “AT RISK” children. Here are some of the programs we are and have executed: 1) Summer Soccer Development League for boys and girls (ages 4-15yrs)..approx 500. 2) TDSB Youth’Learn to Skate’ and ‘Hockey Programs’ - A ‘For Kicks’ original program that reaches out to the community at Grandravine and York U rinks twice a year to teach how to skate Hockey celebrities also participate. 3) Regent Park School of Music(RPSM)- With Forkicks, they expand their community programming to the Jane/Finch Community and run choir and instrumental classes at Monsenior Fraser Vocational School. 4) Lecture Series- We will be addressing issues such as concussion protocol, child exploration, etc. 5) Special Needs Soccer- ( a Forkicks Origional ) We are pleased to announce the launch in June of a Soccer League featuring our Community Special Needs participants. 6) FloorBall League - April 2019 Launch. Four our special needs and at risk children and young adults. 7) Toronto Argonauts Flag Football - Fall 2019 Launch Four our special needs and at risk children and young adults. 8) OurKAMP is a Community imitative between TimHortons owner, forKICKS and TASC to run local Kamps at Village and trips to KAMP in Tweed for youth, teachers, parents, coaches, survivors. 4 TORONTO AZZURRI WALL OF FAME 5 PREVIOUS INDUCTEES HONOURED TORONTO AZZURRI S.C. BOARD MEMBERS IN TORONTO AZZURRI SOCCER WALL OF FAME Ralph Ciccia Joe Mancuso President Facility Manager/Membership BUILDERS/PIONEERS COACHES/MANAGERS Robert Iarusci Vince Iarusci Sam Ciccolini. 2017 Carlo Delmonte. 2017 Chariman Marketing/IT Director Johnny Lombardi. 2017 Gus Mandarino. 2017 Gino Ventresca. 2017 Aldo Principe. 2017 Orazio DeCiantis Pasquale Pietrantonio Ted Laraia. 2018 Fiorigi Pagliuso. 2018 Vice President Director at Large Mario Di Bartolomeo. 2018 Hector Marinaro Sr. 2018 Judge Joseph J. Piccininni 2018 Domenic Matera. 2018 Ron Smale Frank Iaizzo Orazio De Ciantis. 2018 Treasurer Director at Large Fortunato Febbraro PLAYERS MEDIA Secretary Robert Iarusci. 2017 Tino Baxa. 2017 Tony Lecce. 2017 Paolo Canciani. 2017 TORONTO AZZURRI WALL OF FAME Pasquale Pietrantonio. 2017 Nicola Sparano. 2017 Giorgio Piotti. 2018 SELECTION COMMITTEE Carmine Marcantonio. 2018 Orazio DeCiantis Carlo DelMonte SPECIAL TORONTO AZZURRI 50TH Tony Cipriani Robert Iarusci ANNIVERSRY RECOGNITION AWARD Paolo DeCiantis Fortunato Febbraro Carmen & Bruno DeNino. 2018 6 TORONTO AZZURRI WALL OF FAME 7 BASIL POLICARO BUILDERS/PIONEERS Basil’s career is a storied one; a tale of two great passions...soccer and cars. Owner and board member of Policaro Group that celebrated its 40th anniversary this year. Basil was also the President and co-owner of the North York Rockets of the Canadian Professional League(CPL) from 1985-1991. Along with Gus Mandarino, Joe D’Urso, Tony Ciamarra and Joe Volpentesta, Basil launched pro soccer in the GTA playing out of Esther Shiner Stadium in North York. Basil’s passion for the game of soccer was enabled Basil took immense pride in his efforts to develop by his successes in the Auto Industry. Basil arrived in great local players such as Peter Sarantopolis, Paul Toronto to join his Family when he was 21 years old. He D’Agostino, Eddy Berdusco, Charlie Falzon, John Nunes started working in an Auto repair shop delivering parts. and Peter Sloly(ex Toronto Deputy Chief). Basil quickly made a positive impact on the local Honda Today, Basil, Tony and Paul own and constitute the dealer that led to a Sales Position. Board of Directors for Policaro Group with Basil’s son Basil’s strong desire to succeed drove him to put up Francesco fulfilling the role of CEO. The Policaro Group impressive sales numbers and it didn’t take long for him owns and operates 8 Car Dealerships, employs close to to become top performer. Over time, Basil was able to 600 people and continues to uphold Basil’s early beliefs CITY 1940 Albion Rd. introduce his two brothers Tony and Paul to the Honda that hard work, honesty and customer experience are at Etobicoke, Ontario M9W 5T2 Sales Team. The rest is history. It was the strength of his the heart of their business. ENVIRONMENTAL Family that propelled Basil to invest all he had into his first Honda Dealership located in Brampton in 1979. SERVICES LTD. Tel: 416.679.2489 (CITY) Toll Free: 888.520.2489 (CITY) With this initial success in business, Basil was able to find Fax: 416.679.2490 time to establish and manage Sattelite Honda Soccer Club which eventually became the Inter Brampton Soccer www.cityenvironmental.ca Club. With Help from his good friend Joe D’urso, Basil’s team won 3 Consul Cups and 2 league championships. Basil can take a lot of credit in assisting to develop some Ray Lecce Cell: 416.881.0723 great local players. Many of them went on to professional careers and also to represent Canada. 8 TORONTO AZZURRI WALL OF FAME 9 TORONTOTORONTO AZZURRI AZZURRI CongratulationsCongratulations to to all all of of the the newnew inductees inductees to to the the Wall Wall of of FameFame from from everyone everyone at at FalcoFalco Steel Steel Fabricators Fabricators Inc. Inc. JOE D’URSO BUILDERS/PIONEERS Joe arrived in Toronto in 1967 from Vibo Valentia in Calabria as a wide eyed youth of 16 years old sponsored by his uncle. Joe understood success in Canada was directly linked to hard work. Joe leveraged his strong work ethic with his passion for youth soccer players and their development. FALCOFALCO STEEL STEEL FABRICATORS FABRICATORS INC. INC. He started to work at Canadian Tire in the Auto Shop. Esther Shiner Stadium with Fausto DiBernardino as GM. 323323 DEERHURST DEERHURST DRIVE, DRIVE, BRAMPTON BRAMPTON ON ON L6T L6T 5K3 5K3 Over time he became a skillful welder and began forging Joe took over Basil’s shares of the Rockets in 1989 and TEL. (905) 799-9000 - WWW.FALCOSTEEL.COM his own company by buying the equipment needed. He became President of the club. That year, Joe brought TEL. (905) 799-9000 - WWW.FALCOSTEEL.COM bought a parcel of land in Brampton and erected a new over 3 seasoned Italian professionals... Marco Nicoletti, building focusing on the manufacturing of structured steel. Massimo Briaschi, and Enrico Todesco. In 1991, Joe sold his shares to the new owner Tony Fontana. By the late ‘70’s Joe became best friends with Joseph Policaro, Basil’s oldest brother, and then with Basil began Joe continued to support local soccer throughout the supporting and sponsoring #7 Honda Soccer team that ‘80s and ‘90’s together with Adam Pagliaroli and the played in the Amicizia Soccer League.