Partnership Works to Bring Italian Women’s National Team to Toronto

Ottawa, Ontario – The Canadian Soccer Association, in partnership with the Toronto Azzurri Soccer Club and the Universal Youth Foundation, are pleased to announce that they have finalized an agreement with the Federazione Italiana Gioco Calcio (Italian Football Federation) that will see the Italian Women’s National Team travel to Toronto for an International Friendly with Canada’s National Women’s Team on June 25, 2006.



The match is scheduled to take place at Centennial Stadium in Etobicoke, ON with the kickoff tentatively scheduled for 1pm.



Tickets for the June 25th match will be General Admission and will likely range from $15.00 to $25.00. Information regarding how to purchase tickets for this match will be released in the coming weeks.



The match against the Italians will likely provide Canadian head coach, Even Pellerud, with yet another opportunity to test his side against quality opposition ahead of the team’s Women’s World Cup qualifying this coming November.



“When I coached Norway, I always looked forward to intense, tough games against Italy,” said Pellerud. “Since that time I have been seeking opportunities to play this team and that has finally been achieved thanks to a great idea and contribution from two groups, Universal Youth Foundation and the Azzurri Soccer club in Toronto.”



“Italy has forever been a team that has been on the cusp of the top three or four in UEFA and is extremely hard to beat, but they have never really managed to establish themselves as a top team in the rankings of Women’s soccer – but they are close.”



“To play them (Italy) in front of Toronto’s large Italian community, combined with our Canadian fans will be an amazing experience for my players. We will face a team with style and skills and there is always intensity around a team of this nature, thus providing a competitive environment for my team.”



Mr. Mario Cortellucci, O., Ont., Founder and Chairman of the Universal Youth Foundation, and President of the Cortellucci Group of Companies Inc. shared Pellerud’s thoughts of the match between Canada and Italy.



“On behalf of the Universal Youth Foundation, I would like to thank the Canadian Soccer Association, the Ontario Soccer Association, Mr. Robert Iarusci, Chairman of the Toronto Azzurri Soccer Club, Ms. Elide Martini, Manager of the Italian Women’s Soccer League and Mr. Carlo Tavecchio, President of the Federazione Italiana Gioco Calcio (Italian Football Federation), for their support of children and youth in need,” stated Cortellucci.



“Through their tireless efforts and dedication to the sport of soccer, and their willingness to help the Universal Youth Foundation reach its goals, I am confidant we will have an exciting and action-packed match between the Italian and Canadian National Women’s Soccer teams.



“I invite members of public to join us on June 25th for some great soccer action, while helping to give a child hope through access to an education.”



Match Information

June 25 – CANADA vs. Italy – Centennial Stadium, Etobicoke, ON – 13:00



About Universal Youth Foundation

The Universal Youth Foundation is a Canadian, nationally registered Charity that is committed to providing educational assistance to children and youth in need throughout the developing world by funding schools and teachers. Our goal is to provide hope to these children and youth through access to an education.



In 2005, our inaugural year, the Universal Youth Foundation has raised $265,000 in support of our goals and approved two projects. One initiative will result in permanently established educational facilities in Tanzania; the other consists of temporary emergency school accommodations in Pakistan. The Tanzania project involves the building of an educational wing for the Amani Children’s Home, a centre for AIDS orphans and street children located in Moshi, Tanzania.



In addition, we made a seven year commitment to support the complete primary school education for 75 of Amani’s children. The Pakistan initiative will provide emergency funding to establish a temporary tent school for 120 children displaced by the recent earthquake. The Foundation has a dedicated team of experienced individuals with backgrounds in education, law, international development, media, communications, security, business, politics and youth who have come together to provide hope through education.



www.universalyouthfoundation.org