Representative honours and opportunities for Italian heritage rugby league
Federazione Italian Rugby League - Australia (FIRLA)
Italian Rugby League Functions & Events
Italian Rugby League - Rugby League World Cup - Business Luncheon - 31 August 2022.
Special Guests, Raffles, Auctions, MC Comedian. Only limited tickets will be available. For ticket purchase just click on the this link: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/italian-rugby-league-business-luncheon-rlwc-2021-tickets-372060050627
All welcome. You can also contact us at secretary@firla.com.au for further information. Vince Sorrenti will be our special entertainment and comedian, Vince is a tragic Parramatta Eels fan and great supporter of Italian Rugby League.
Italian Heritage Rugby League Development Program - 5 December, 2021
ISSUED: 7/12/21
**Day #2 of Italian Heritage Rugby League Development Program - this Sunday 12th of December**
FIRLA will be holding Day#2 of the junior training program this Sunday 12th of December at Wests Ashfield Leagues Club:
This session will be an Italo-Australian Heritage education session and we are proud to announce that the session will be run Co.As.It.:
The day will consist of:
* Italian culture session.
* Italian food.
* Training gear. (For those new comers)
**Note: If you've attended week 1 or have previously paid for the event, this weeks session is already included in the paid ticket**
- Also if you have a FIRLA training shirt already, please wear this to the event.
Click the link to secure your spot!
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/firla-33901675091
Should you have any questions, please send us an email (secretary@firla.com.au).
Italian Heritage Rugby League Development Program - 28 November, 2021
Italian Heritage Rugby League Development Program 12–16 year-old players with Italian Heritage Dates: Sunday 28th November Sunday 5th December Time: 8:30am – 1:30pm Venue: Marconi Field 5 Prairie Vale Rd Bossley Park Event Details: • Rugby League skills program with International players & coaches • Italian Cultural Experience (Co.As.It) • Italian Food / BBQ • Training shirt & Cap To purchase your tickets, click on the link below https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/firla-33901675091 https://firla.com.au email: Secretary@firla.com.au
Queensland Italy v NQ Cook Islands @ Saturday night at Ivanhoes, Smithfield, north of Cairns - 30 October 2021
Schedule for the night:
5.00pm - Gates Open
6.00pm - Womens NQ Cook Islands v Indigenous
7.30pm - Mens Queensland Italy v NQ Cook Islands
FIRLA Junior Rugby League Clinic / Development Program - 2021/2022 - Date to be confirmed
**Juniors clinics / development program – Expressions of interest**
FIRLA is looking to arrange a juniors (U12s – 16s) training clinic and development progra m at Club Marconi (Bossley Park) for either later in the year / early next year - Date To Be Confirmed.
To express your interest, click on the link below and fill out the form.
Link: https://forms.gle/2RRdbC7wdLfWK4eP6
Should you have any questions, please send us an email (secretary@firla.com.au).
While the impact of Covid-19 continues to be highly challenging on all of us, we are working hard to get our youngsters back on the footy field representing their heritage as soon as it is safe to do so.
Many thanks for your continued support, we sincerely appreciate it.
Stay safe and take care.
Sydney 9's
Saturday 20 February - 2021 - Cabramatta Rugby League Stadium
FIRLA v Ozzy Cooks @ 2.35pm
Pool D
FIRLA
Ozzy Cooks
Philippines
Africa United
FIRLA 2019 Presentation
Special awards were presented by Craig Salvatori, Nathan Brown and Daniel Alvaro
2019 RLWCQ Event - Club Marconi
Special guest - MC & Comedian - Vince Sorrenti
2017 RLWC Event - Doltone House
Special Guest MC - Matty Johns, interviewing Terry Campese, Mirco Bergamasco, James Tedesco & Nathan Brown.
2016 RLWCQ Event - Novella Function Events
Sponsors group photo with NRL and Italian internationals - Daniel Alvaro, James Tedesco and 2017 RLWC Head Coach - Cameron Ciraldo.
About Us
Italian Rugby League History
Italian Rugby League History
Italian Rugby League History
Rugby League in Italy dates back to the 1950s when the Italians had their own Rugby League competition and also played several tournaments against other European nations. In 1959 the Australian Kangaroos actually played two games against an Italian thirteen on Italian soil.
In 1995 Italia Rugby League was revived by a couple of passiona
Rugby League in Italy dates back to the 1950s when the Italians had their own Rugby League competition and also played several tournaments against other European nations. In 1959 the Australian Kangaroos actually played two games against an Italian thirteen on Italian soil.
In 1995 Italia Rugby League was revived by a couple of passionate enthusiasts by the names of Mick Pezzano and John Benigni. Pezzano and Benigni were determined to have a Rugby League team representing their origins compete again on the world stage.
That determination was rewarded when the Italian team was invited to play in the 1995 Coca Cola World Sevens, at the Sydney Football Stadium. This was Italy's first Rugby League tournament since the golden era of the 1950s and 1960s.
The 1995 Sevens comprised of 34 teams, including international representation from Great Britain, New Zealand, USA, Japan and Morocco. The Italian team performed admirably winning a game in their debut year, against Morocco. The Italians were the first “new” Rugby League country to win a game in their first year of the World Sevens tournament.
In 1996, the Super League World Nines were held for the first time. The Italian team was invited to participate in the tournament in Fiji, along with fifteen other countries. They were New Zealand, Australia, England, New Guinea, France, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Fiji, Western Samoa, Tonga, Morocco, Japan, USA and the Cook Islands.
The tournament ran over three days with the New Zealand team defeating New Guinea in the final. Italy finished in twelfth position and two memorable results were an 18-0 victory over Morocco and a narrow 0-4 loss to the powerful England line up.
In February 1997, the Italian team participated in the Coca Cola World Sevens at the Sydney Football Stadium, for the second time in its brief history. The team was coached by former Australian, NSW, Eastern Suburbs and South Sydney great, Craig Salvatori.
The week prior to the tournament, on the 1st of February, the team commenced it’s preparation and build up by playing a promotional match against the Australian Lebanese Sevens team, at the Marconi Soccer Stadium in Sydney’s west. The game was won by the Italians 16-14 and was played as a curtain raiser to the Marconi v Canberra National Soccer League game. This promotion and the support of Club Marconi, gave the Italian team added exposure to both the Rugby League and Soccer communities as well as the multicultural community in general.
In July 1998, the Italians were invited to play a promotional Test Match, known as the Mediterranean Cup, against the Lebanese team at Leichhardt Oval, as a curtain raiser to the Balmain v North Queensland first grade match.
The result favoured the Lebanese team - 24 to 12, however, the game proved to be a great promotion for the Balmain Tigers Club, the Italian and Lebanese communities and Rugby League in general.
The Italian team for the Inaugural Mediterranean Cup was: Adam Capovilla, Orazio D'arro, Adam Toro (C), Chris St Clair, Carmine Barbaro, Damian Sonego, Frank Napoli, Chad Brustolin, Daniel Paolini, Anthony Dalsanto, Ceser Toia, John Frare, Danian Mancuso, Peter Panozzo, Charlie Ienco, Nathan Furia, Trent Tavoletti, France Gendron
Coach: Craig Salvatori, Asst-Coach: Shannon Donato, Trainer: John Lewis, Asst- trainer: Charlie Galligo, Managers: Mick Pezzano & John Benigni
Per uno sport alternativo RUGBY LEAGUE FOOTBALL - "the greatest game of all"
FIRLA work very closely with Federazione Italiana Rugby League (FIRL) as a sub-committee that has been established to assist Italian heritage players in Australia and to provide support to Italian Rugby League and its growth and development in Italy.
A Tradition of Team Spirit
Italian Rugby League History
Italian Rugby League History
Our first venture into the NSWRL Harmony Cup was with our u/16 age group. coached by Carlo Napolitano, the team competed in this tournament.
Italian Rugby League History
World Youth Championships
INFORMATION ABOUT IRL A XIII WORLD YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS
IN RUSSIA - 2005
The players that represented the Italia Rugby League A XIII in the World Youth Championships held in Moscow – Russia from 22 September to 2 October 2005 were;
- Jack Borgo
- Tom Borgo
- Carlo Calandra
- Daniel Castellano
- Jay Florimo
- France
World Youth Championships
INFORMATION ABOUT IRL A XIII WORLD YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS
IN RUSSIA - 2005
The players that represented the Italia Rugby League A XIII in the World Youth Championships held in Moscow – Russia from 22 September to 2 October 2005 were;
- Jack Borgo
- Tom Borgo
- Carlo Calandra
- Daniel Castellano
- Jay Florimo
- Francesco Frustaci
- Andrew Gallo
- Joel Guadiosi
- Steven Kadry
- Nathan Mantellato
- Daniel Nicastri (Vice Captain)
- Todd Parlato
- Sam Puglisi
- David Silveri
- Daniel Sansone
- Nathan Valente
- Dean Velardi
- Nick Vescio (Captain)
- Joel Wellins
Head Coach: David Riolo
Head Trainer: John Giovanni Lewis
Trainer: Patrick Trimboli
Strapper: Peter Kerr
Tour Manager: Joe Romeo
Team Manager: Mick Pezzano
Results were as follows;
Our 1stround game was against France, the game started well for us and we went into the second half with a lead and then had one of our players sent to the bin for 10 minutes (Jack Borgo) in the second half. France scored twice in this period, we scored again and had one try disallowed, this was very disappointing as we were far the better team and that would have started our whole Cup campaign on a positive note. We lost three players in this game to injury, one of those players being Nathan Valente was elbowed in the head, he suffered serious concussion, was replaced and did not play again in the Tournament, so we lose one of our leading forwards in the team, he does not play in the remaining tournament games, and we get a penalty out of it!!
Our Players player in this game was Daniel Nicastri - Centre.
Our 2ndround game was against Australia.
We went into this game very focused, realizing that we needed to win this match in order to stay in touch for a Cup finals birth.
The first half was great to watch, both teams were trying to out play the other with attacking raids, but some solid defence from both teams put a stop to any planned set plays. We were down 4 nil at half time, this game was a very physical encounter with some feeling between both teams. The Australians came out strong in the second half, we did not have the player depth of the bench to match them. An all in brawl erupted in the second half and the referee was having to work overtime in keeping the teams apart. From watching the whole tournament games, I think it was far the most difficult game for the Australians and they commented how tough it was.
It was a telling point in not having enough fresh inter change players of the bench, having lost both Nathan Valente and Jay Florimo in the 1stround match to injuries.
Our Players player in this game was Todd Parlato - Second Rower.
We were the only team to trouble Australia during the Championship Tournament, they had defeated all the other teams and France in the Cup Final, by margins of 30 to 50 points.
We then played Russia in our 3rd pool game, winning 20 – 4.Once again we did this tough has we had our front rower Francesco Frustaci sent off for throwing a punch in the 4thminute of the game, but still managed to overcome a determined Russian team.
Players player - Andrew Gallo - Centre
We then played Scotland in the Semi-final of the Plate Competition, defeating them
36 – 0.Not many highlights in this game, as we were expected to win this game easily.
Player’s player - Daniel Sansone - Second Row
We then played Russia in the Plate Final, defeating them 36 to 14. This was a difficult match, as once again we were expected to win. However playing the Russian team on Russian soil, with a Russian Referee and an 800 plus Russian vocal crowd, meant that we had to work hard for our win. As we skipped away to decent leads during the match, the Russian team managed to just stay in touch with us, thanks to the class of our Centre Andrew Gallo and some great defensive work from our Five-eight Steven Kadry, the team managed to post 36 points to take out the Plate Final.
Players player - Andrew Gallo – Centre
Leading Italian Try scorer:
Andrew Gallo - 6 tries
David Silveri - 6 tries
Daniel Nicastri - 2 tries
Steven Kadry - 2 tries
Tom Borgo - 2 try
Jack Borgo - 1 try
Dean Velardi - 1 try
Todd Parlato - 1 try
Daniel Sansone - 1 try
Francesco Frustaci - 1 try
The IRL A XIII had two of its players named in the "World U/16 Team", they were Daniel Nicastri and Andrew Gallo, both our centres. On behalf of all the Management and Players we extend out congratulation to both Andrew and Daniel for being selected in this World Team.
Weather conditions were very good in Russia, however we played on a synthetic surface, which resulted in a high number of injuries, including severe grazes and concussions.
Referees were from France, Russia and one Australian.
We would like to thank all our supporters and Sponsors “University of Wollongong and Club Marconi”for their financial support and the many individual sponsors who supported the players and the IRL A XIII in competing in the Youth World Championships.
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