Italian Soccer School - Scuola Calcio Program in Jekyll Island

Scuola Calcio, Italian Soccer School and Savannah International Soccer Academy (SISA) are pleased to announce and present another fantastic and unforgettable Summer 2008 Italian Soccer School program.

Academy Directors of Scuola Calcio, Italian Soccer School and Savannah International Soccer Academy feel very confident that 2008 will be even better than our very successful 2007 & 2006 programs. "This past summer we had a great success with our Italian Soccer School Program and we are looking forward to another fantastic summer" said Dek Smith, SISA Director. He went on to say: "We have built our itinerary on player and parent recommendations to continually improve our program and offer you a true 100% Italian soccer and cultural learning experience". "All our coaches and teachers arrive direct from Italy to deliver the best Italian soccer/cultural day by day learning program in North America. Our instructors and teachers are always in attendance throughout this 16 day Italian summer program, here in the USA. Said Antonio Saviano, Scuola Calcio, Italian Soccer School Coordinator.

The program includes all coaching fees plus direct Italian language course offered throughout the program. Italian language expands from the classroom every day on to the soccer field and throughout the program. Italian will be spoken throughout the course at meal times and during day by day vocal exchanges. Scuola Calcio, Italian Soccer School and SISA will provide proven teaching methods to our players around the clock to enhance their Italian Soccer Experience. Players will be exposed to the beautiful game and beautiful language every day, on the field, at the poolside, and at every opportunity.

Players will stay and train at the soccer complex on beautiful Jekyll Island at one of the famous barrier Island’s along the Georgia coastline. www.jekyllisland.com. All players will stay in beach fronted hotel facilities (http://www.jekyllislandga.com/). Players will be housed in oceanfront apartments. Villas By The Sea Resort is the program hosuing facilities. All apartments come with on suite facilities plus fridge, microwaves and full kitchen facilities. Players will be provided with well stocked fridges and cabinets for breakfast in their own room every day. Players will have lunch at various locations around the Island including Summer Waves and the Beach Deck. Evening meals will be provided by restaurant, cookouts or beach pizza parties.More than just soccer, players will spend time together on our away day trips to places like NASA (http://www.nasa.gov/), (Florida Space Center) and Wild Adventures in Georgia. We end our program with all our players playing in the famous 3 v 3 National qualifier tournament on Jekyll Island over the weekend of July 5th & 6th. All players who are successful in reaching the finals will be invited to Disney over the weekend of July 26th & 27th to take part in the 3 v 3 National Championships.

Players will pay an additional fee for Disney which will cover all tournament fees, plus food and lodgings. We are sure you will find our Italian Soccer School Program again very exciting just has much as last year. Please reserve your place on this unique program as soon as you can. We have secured only a certain amount of hotel rooms for the program and hope to reach capacity early in 2008.

All details regarding booking your place can be found on our website www.soccerkix.com.

About Scuola Calcio
Scuola Calcio, Italian Soccer School offers programs such as: All-Year Soccer Boarding School, Three weeks Soccer Camps in USA and Italy, Soccer Coaching Symposium, International Soccer Team Tour Travel, Monthly Professional Soccer Training, and much more are all offered to serious soccer players and coaches. The Italian Scuola Calcio (Soccer School) has consolidated the experience developed from its technical staff and the experience acquired within the last few years from Ascoli Soccer Academy, A.C. Perugia Soccer School and A.C. Parma Soccer School program’s technical staff. The Italian Scuola Calcio has built a network of more then 100 affiliated soccer schools, some of which in Italy and other abroad (North America) and other foreign countries such as Ghana and Brazil, and an organization of 80 professional scouts-observers, 20 regional coordinators and 5 International coordinators.

Meet Antonio Saviano - Scuola Calcio North America Coordinator

Click here to go to Open Press Website: http://www.theopenpress.com/index.php?a=press&id=23892

(OPENPRESS) October 2, 2007 - You could easily mistake Antonio Saviano for a model instead of a soccer coach. With devilishly good looks and a mischievous twinkle in his eye, Antonio could more likely be every Italian mother’s number one son. Born in the United States, Antonio’s family moved back to Italy at a very early age. He grew up in the town of Pomigliano D’Arco in the province of Napoli. He started playing soccer about the time he could walk and began playing organized soccer at age 8. At the age of 16, Antonio signed a professional contract with Castel Cisterna where he played as a keeper.

Fast forward to 1996 to Wilmington North Carolina and Antonio has founded Soccerkix and Soccerkix Academy, a clearing house for the Italian experience. Antonio offered teams a chance to travel to Italy for tournament play and to participate in local camps, training as many as 500 players per camp. In Italy, professional soccer clubs run their own development systems or schools. They also establish “affiliate” schools throughout Italy with regional clubs. While the “affiliated school” concept is common in Europe, it was Antonio’s initiative that brought the concept to North America. Working with a Serie A club, Antonio put together a program that saw teams travel to Italy, Italian coaches travel to the US and Canada and US and Canadian coaches travel to Italy. Antonio soon became the North American coordinator of the program with his duties encompassing overseeing the affiliates program and scouting new talent. He has been the North America Director for many Italian professional soccer clubs, including Ascoli Soccer Academy, AC Parma Scuola Calcio and AC Perugia Scuola Calcio. In that capacity he has been helping, leading and developing coaching and player development programs for over 100 affiliated soccer schools across North America and Europe.

“I know of no one who can coordinate soccer events and has a vision for soccer talent and player development like Antonio Saviano”, said Gianni Borano an Italian Professional Scout expert and also an expert in the youth soccer player development field. “He is masterful in creating vision with such high value for each individual player that brings out commitment and passion from them until they see their accomplishments”. Mr. Borano went on to say, “his willingness to take responsibility for each club he works with is limitless and he is the most knowledge coach you ever get to meet and talk to”. “This is a coach who finishes what he starts and leads players and coaches with the same level of commitment and determination he has”.

Antonio is an extraordinary coach. His knowledge, love and passion for the game are so infectious that you cannot help but be drawn in. “Young players must learn through fun and games. They have to have fun and the reinforcement must always be positive or they will not come back. The game format keeps them interested while they are developing essential soccer skills”, says Saviano. “Drills need to be progressive. They need to be presented at a base, fundamental level and slowly have elements added, making sure that the students comprehend each addition. If the student doesn’t understand what is expected of them, they cannot effectively participate or make informed decisions for themselves”.

Antonio has written several books on youth development, among them, “U-6 – U-12 Development Theory”, “U-8 – U-10 Soccer School Development Manual”. He co-authored “Playing to Learn to Play, Didactic Progression for the Development of the Technical-Tactical Fundamentals in the Soccer Schools” and has produced a training video.

“Antonio Saviano is one of the top ranked coaches in the nation today”, said John Flirreni, Italian Premier Division Team’s Manager, I have personally seen him work with players and coaches, his coaching development ideas are easy to understand, he transmits what he believes to players on the field and to coaches in the classroom so they can take the information and become better in all areas of their soccer career”.

“The results and success of Scuola Calcio speaks for itself”, said Dana Siervertson, a long time friend. “This is a soccer service company that is moving forward with their many different soccer programs”.

Programs such as: All-Year Soccer Boarding School, Three weeks Soccer Camps in USA and Italy, Soccer Coaching Symposium, International Soccer Team Tour Travel, Monthly Professional Soccer Training, and much more are all offered to serious soccer players and coaches. Perhaps the greatest qualities and commitment is to develop and improve the players and coaches.

About Scuola Calcio

The Italian Scuola Calcio (Soccer School) has consolidated the experience developed from its technical staff and the experience acquired within the last few years from Ascoli Soccer Academy, A. C. Perugia Soccer School and A.C. Parma Soccer School program's technical staff. The Italian Scuola Calcio has included in the search, its own formation and exploitation of the youth soccer players, the mission is characterized to adopt an innovative politics and dynamics in the development of the actual activities. The Italian Scuola Calcio has built a network of more then 100 affiliated soccer schools, some of which in Italy and other abroad (North America) and other foreign countries such as Ghana and Brazil, and an organization of 80 professional scouts-observers, 20 regional coordinators and 5 International coordinators. These are people in charge of different areas, all of them coming from an extensive carrier in the professional youth soccer sectors. Each sportive season the Italian Scuola Calcio technical staff conducts over 400 technical visits to the affiliated soccer schools and organizes over 50 yearly selections (try-outs) for young soccer players between the age of 12 to 16, monitoring over 13000 players. The result of this complex and organized activity allows the technical staff to individualize the better players from each affiliated soccer schools therefore introduce them to the professional clubs such of Serie A, B and C (Italian Premier, First and Second Division). At the conclusion of each sportive season, young soccer players chosen from the Italian Scuola Calcio are introduced in the professional youth sector areas of the professional soccer clubs.

The Italian Scuola Calcio is a consortium of football organizations located on National and International territory that proposes to put its network and experience of scouting and its skills in making the most of young players at the availability of those professional clubs which request this service. Italian Scuola Calcio’s technical structure specializes in scouting, supporting the ‘Youth Sector', and teaching basic activities, paying particular attention to youth soccer players between the ages of 6 to 16. Italian Scuola Calcio’s structure represents all the non-professional organizations that develop new talent. Its activities are aimed to promote the technical growth of soccer schools, as well as increasing the value for their ‘youth sector'. Italian Scuola Calcio's activities maintain a permanent focus on scouting and monitoring the National and International territory. The network of affiliated soccer schools guarantees that the both territories are fully monitored.

The following is an overview of the Scuola Calcio consortium:

- 85 National and International Affiliated clubs (Europe - USA - Canada - West Africa)
- 15 Technical Area Manager
- 80 Technical Observers
- 400 Technical Stages for Players of Affiliated Clubs
- 40 Formation/Development Stages for Instructors of Affiliated Clubs
- 50 Yearly meeting to scout new talent
- 13000 Athletes involved in the organization

Read more here: http://www.soccerkix.com/ or: http://www.theopenpress.com/index.php?a=press&id=23892

International Soccer Team Tour - ITALY (U13 Boys) Player Experience!

For Immediate Press Release - October 2007

When the members of the ’94 Wilmington N.C Cape Fear Beakers Boys Soccer Club departed for Perugia, Italy, they did not know what to expect. They did know, however, that they would be training and participating in an international tournament that included players from several European countries as well as the United States and Canada.
Their coach, Antonio Saviano, tried to get them to understand that many of their opponents would be bigger, stronger, faster and better skilled than the players they were used to facing.
There would also be the issue of playing on a larger field with Eleven players a side, instead of the usual eight vs. eight they were used to.

When they got to Italy, their week was laid out for them. There would be two training sessions, morning and afternoon, for Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday would be a sightseeing day and a chance to rest. Thursday through Saturday they would compete I an eleven-team tournament with at least two games a day. The championship finale would take place on Saturday afternoon.

At 9:30 Monday morning they all boarded the bus buzzing with excitement as they headed off to their first session. Although jet-lagged from arriving the prior day, their enthusiasm overcame sleep deprivation. The parents spent the late morning relaxing in town, sightseeing, shopping and sipping cappuccinos. When the team bus returned for lunch, however, the lack of sleep and demanding training session had obviously taken its toll.

The boys were exhausted and were told to eat lunch and go to their rooms to rest and recover before their afternoon session. Eleven year old Jack Sordellini was among more than a few players who wondered “what did I get myself into?” He rallied, however, for next session, as well as the two on Tuesday, but was always happy to return to the hotel to eat, swim with his teammates at the pool and just relax. Wednesday was a welcome day off, and many members of the team toured Rome and other parts of this beautiful country.

On Thursday the games finally began. Jack could not wait and it did not take long for him to get what he came for. Playing at the right wing, it seemed that every ball in the first 10 minutes of the match were played to his part of the field and he was forced to make several long runs. The size and speed of his opponents was as advertised and the larger field along with the pace of the game tested his stamina. Once again he wondered if he was in over his head. The game finally settled into a less frenetic pace and the boys from Wilmington realized that they could compete with their stronger opponents. This first game ended scoreless in regulation time and Wilmington won on penalty kicks. They played the balance of the schedule in a similar fashion, and although they did not make the tourney finals, they clearly earned respect. Their confidence grew with each match, both on and off the field.........read more by visiting www.soccerkix.com or go directly to the news page at: http://www.soccerkix.com/intpages.php?pageid=896&noparent

ITALY - Tournament, Friendly and Developmental Team Soccer Tours

For Immediate Press Release - September 2007

Italian and International Soccer Tours

It is now the time to begin thinking about your soccer plans for the up coming Summer, 2008. Scuola Calcio offers not only International Soccer Tournaments for Girls and Boys Soccer Teams, but also Friendly and Developmental players and teams soccer tours. Teams are free to visit charming places of the Umbria Region. Soccerkix supervises all aspects of the travel arrangements to assure an organized and enjoyable soccer travel tour. Participating teams will be boarded at the Soccerkix affiliated Hotels. Teams are venture out regionally by bus. On non-game days, players train under the direction of Scuola Calcio professional coaches.

Scuola Calcio can also plan a trip customized to your group's needs!

InternationalTournament: These are for groups who prefer playing in a torunamnet format. No different from the previous years, this year the Scuola Calcio Cup will be hosting teams from all over the world. Participants clubs come from affiliated and non-affiliated soccer schools and from different parts of the world.

Friendly Tours: These are for groups who prefer friendly games instead of tournaments. Scuola Calcio will organize friendly based on your teams needs with a strong emphasis on Friendship, Culture, Player Development & Education. Available year-round and flexible in terms of duration, itinerary and content.

Developmental Tours: These are a great way to learn more about the game of soccer and have fun doing it! Your team will train with International Professional Coaches. The players will have the opportunity to work exclusively with these coaches, learning new skills and knowledge, which will help them immensely in their development.

>> Click here for more information!

Ascoli Soccer Academy Cup – Italy, 2007

For Immediate Press Release - August 2007

(Perugia, Italy – June, 2007) - The Ascoli Soccer Academy Cup was held in Perugia this past June 25th - 30th, 2007 for the 6th consecutive time. The tournament was open to boys of 12 and 13 years of age. A special two day soccer training session was also held for teams traveling from United States and Canada, allowing them to learn from some of the best Italian Soccer Coaches such as Bruno Redolfi, former Ascoli Soccer Academy Technical Director.

"This year's event was great! I wish we could have something similar to this throughout the US and Canada," Jeff Iacopina (parent) remarked. He went on to say "I know our players had a fantastci experience not just learning the game and playing against some of the best players in Italy, but also a fantastic cultural experience. I am sure they will never forget this"!

Only 12 teams participated in the competition. “Most of the teams were from different Italian Regions. These are teams formed after an extensive try-out process through out the year, then the players are placed on a team and attend the tournament where there are professional soccer scouts that look at them to see who makes the final cut. It is like a funnel process”, said Antonio Saviano, Scuola Calcio Technical Director.

A special thanks goes to Soccerkix for fully organizing all the logistics and supporting this event. For the last few years Soccerkix has taken players and teams all over the world. Italy and Brazil are the most common places teams travel to. You and your team get an experience that you just can't get in the USA. Once you've experienced soccer in Italy or Brazil, you will certainly have a new and deeper understanding of the game. Soccerkix and Scuola Calcio are about soccer for life. We love the game and have dedicated ourselves to it. You will have a great time at our camps and tours and will receive the best coaching possible.

For more information visit www.soccerkix.com or email info@soccerkix.com