AC Cugini, founded in 2000 with programs in the Washington, DC, metro area and Italy, is an official Italian scuola calcio (soccer academy) sanctioned by the Italian National Olympic Committee - Comitato Olimpico Nazionale Italiano Servizi (CONI Servizi) and the Italian Soccer Federation - Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (FIGC). As an official Italian soccer academy in North America sanctioned by CONI Servizi and FIGC, AC Cugini clearly offers a unique and exceptional training environment. 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 player development model, and provide international playing and training opportunities.
In 2018, AC Cugini decided to move away from sponsoring teams in the club in leagues in the Washington DC metro area under the AC Cugini name and instead focus its programming on providing training and coaching services to teams and clubs in the Washington, DC, metro area and throughout the USA. In addition, AC Cugini is enhancing its award-winning international programming in Italy by offering playing and cross-cultural opportunities to older US and Canadian players - in addition to youth players as we have since 2001.
AWARD WINNING INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMMING
Because of AC Cugini's long history of working with soccer organizations in Italy and our staff's ability to communicate fluently in Italian, we have developed many high-level contacts in Italy which allows us the unique opportunity to create one-of-a-kind programs in Italy for American youth players and coaches as well as programs for the over 21 age group. This allows youth players the chance to be reviewed closely by talent scouts from professional Italian clubs with the necessary translation assistance available from AC Cugini to support any player selected by an Italian club.
AC Cugini's “Play Soccer in Italy” international cross-cultural program was developed in 2001 to further expose American players to Italian player development; allow players the opportunity to add international playing and training experience to their soccer background, of great value to college recruiters; offer the most talented players access to Italian talent scouts, and have athletes experience the countless wonders of the Italian culture and history. This highly successful program was an important element of the special recognition which AC Cugini received in 2004 from the Italian National Olympic Committee.
We do not take players to the commonly known international tournaments in Italy offered by numerous tour operators where a U.S. team could end up playing against another U.S. team or Canadian teams. Our focus has always been to create a unique experience where Americans play against Italian teams or with Italian players or train with professional Italian clubs as well as CONI and FIGC staff.
In 2012, CONI appointed AC Cugini President Fabio Diletti as international representative of the newly created CONI Servizi division. This rare distinction also allows AC Cugini to bring soccer players of all ages (as well as athletes in other sports) to train and stay at the Italian Olympic Athletes Training Center in Rome.
In 2014, AC Cugini joined with ACF Torino USA to coach the ACF Torino WPSL team and provide training and scholarships for youth from low income families.
US AFFILIATIONS / MEMBERSHIPS
AC Cugini is also member of the US Soccer Federation, US Club Soccer, US Youth Soccer, Virginia Youth Soccer Association, Maryland State Youth Soccer Association, Elite Development Program League, National Capital Soccer League, Old Dominion Soccer League, Central Maryland Short Sided League.
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