Italy Footy 9s jumper front
AUSTRALIA & ITALY
Italians are well represented in every Australian town and region, with the highest concentration in Victoria and South Australia. Italian Australians, according to the 2016 Census, are the sixth largest ethnic group in Australia, with 1,000,006 people. In addition, the 2016 census counted 174,042 people who were born in Italy.

TEAM ITALY
Team Italy competes in the annual Harmony Cup, an event which they have won twice. Italy also won the inaugural World 9s in Melbourne in 2019.

If you are of Italian descent and keen to represent Italy, please join the Team Italy Facebook group.

AFL PLAYERS
The Victorian Football League-Australian Football League (VFL/AFL) Italian Team of the Century was announced in June 2007. It recognises the role of Italian Australian players in the sport. Players and/or at least one of the player’s parents or grandparents had to have been born in Italy. They also had to have played at least one game at VFL/AFL level.

B: Frank Curcio, Stephen Silvagni, Len Incigneri
HB: Alec Epis, Anthony Koutoufides, John Kennedy Jr
C: Robert DiPierdomenico, Ian Stewart, Peter Matera
HF: Peter Riccardi, Alan Martello, Mark Mercuri
F: Phillip Matera, Saverio Rocca, Brendan Fevola
Foll: Steve Alessio, Mark Ricciuto (Captain), Peter Pianto
Int: Sergio Silvagni, Tony Liberatore, Scott Camporeale, Joe Misiti
Coach: Ron Barassi

Sam Ciavarella Footy 9s Italy

Sam Ciavarella

Team Italy

Pulling on Team Italy’s azzurro blue jumper.

It’s about where we’re from, right here where we are.

It’s about growing a social, open and competitive version of our great game.

It’s everyone involved so far, and those about to jump on board. Playing for Italy, against teams just as proud as we were, was a personal favourite footballing experience. Though falling short this year, I’ll be back in blue, searching for glory!