U.S. Soccer School Affiliates with Italian Powerhouse ACF Fiorentina Great Falls, VA - AC Cugini Scuola Calcio President Fabio Diletti has announced that Cugini was accepted by world-renowned Italian professional club ACF Fiorentina as an affiliated Fiorentina scuola calcio (soccer school). This affiliation makes Cugini the only Fiorentina soccer school in North America. ACF Fiorentina, based in Florence, Italy, is considered one of the most powerful soccer clubs in the world. Playing in Italy's premier league - Serie A - along with Juventus, Inter, AC Milan, Roma, Fiorentina is currently in 4th place in Serie A, putting the team in qualifying contention for the 2009 Champions League. Commenting on the rare honor for Cugini, Diletti stated, 「This formal affiliation with Fiorentina is important and far reaching for our players, our club, and beyond. Fiorentina is a very serious and accomplished organization, respected the world over. Fiorentina officials were equally impressed by the Italian scuola calcio program that we have strived to develop in America the past eight years and Cugini's distinction of being the only official Italian soccer school in North America sanctioned by the Italian National Olympic Committee and the Italian Soccer Federation.」 As an affiliated ACF Fiorentina scuola calcio, numerous benefits exist for Cugini members - the least of which is that all Cugini players enrolled in its year-round scuola calcio program will soon wear uniforms in the striking, official Fiorentina colors - deep purple - with the beautiful Fiorentina logo. Additionally, players ages 8-15 will have the opportunity to attend free training camps with Fiorentina in Italy. Players on Cugini's 8th annual Soccer in Italy tournament in June 2008, will be the first to take advantage of the affiliation during a training camp in Florence. A second training camp in Florence is being developed for July 2008 for interested players or teams. Non-Cugini teams will be welcome to participate but at a non-Cugini member rate. Cugini's President Fabio Diletti will also be responsible for locating talented youth throughout the United States for Fiorentina to review for professional playing opportunities in Italy. Fiorentina scouts will travel to Virginia to review American players chosen by Fabio Diletti for a tryout. Players will also have the opportunity to travel to Italy for tryouts. In addition, other American soccer clubs may contact Cugini Soccer to discuss having their club's most talented players reviewed by Fiorentina or to make arrangements for their teams to train in Italy with Fiorentina. Cugini is also developing plans for Fiorentina instructors to come to Virginia to conduct summer training programs. About AC Cugini Scuola Calcio AC Cugini, based in Northern Virginia outside Washington, DC, was founded in 2000 as an official Italian scuola calcio (soccer school) and club for American youth players. Cugini's player development program is sanctioned by the Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) and the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI). --

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