GRANBURY, Texas-- Six coaches from Italian American football club teams are spending valuable time this summer serving as volunteer coaches with six NCAA Division III colleges in the United States as part of the Global Football International Coaching Exchange initiative.
Global Football matched the Italian Football League (IFL) coaches with NCAA Division III college partners who have traveled overseas with the Texas-based company in recent years, giving the visitors an opportunity to enhance their coaching skills on the gridiron. They will in turn transfer that knowledge to help develop players in Italy.
"I am thrilled to hear from our clients across the NCAA Division III programs to learn how happy they have been with their visiting coaches," said Global Football President Patrick Steenberge. "This idea came about during a post-game conversation in Rome among with Jeff McMartin of Central College, the Roma Grizzlies head coach and myself. When I took the concept to Fabrizio Cuppelini of FIDAF (Federazione Italiana Di American Football), we figured out how to make it work.
"The key element was the welcoming nature of the college programs here in America, and a huge thanks goes out to those visionary men. We are all eager to see this grow, impacting the sport worldwide in a positive manner."
Coaches participating in the Global Football ICE program: | Coach | Club Team | Position Coached | D-III College | Head Coach |
| Roberto Rotelli | Dolphins Ancona | Offensive Coordinator | Wartburg College | Rick Willis |
| Mattia del Monte | Dolphins Ancona | Strength & Conditioning | Ohio Northern | Dean Paul |
| Mauro Salevmini | Seamen Milano | Offensive Line | North Central | Brad Spencer |
| Sergio Scoppetta | Lazio Marines | Running Backs | Central College | Jeff McMartin |
| Dario Leone | Lazio Marines | U16s Head Coach | Elmhurst College | Ron Planz |
| Simone Drago | Lazio Marines | Quality Control | John Carroll University | Tom Arth |
Global Football will continue to provide coaches from Europe and later from other countries around the world with the opportunity to participate in the ICE initiative. Later this month, coaches from the East Kilbride Pirates in Scotland will benefit from visiting Hanover College in Indiana, after hosting Hanover for a game and clinic this past May.
International clubs and federations that host future Global Football events will have an opportunity to nominate coaches to come to the one of their traveling schools, to spend a period of time integrated as an observer coach on that team's football staff. The host school will provide housing for the overseas coach and will involve the coach in all football-related activities from the practice field to the classroom to game day.
In 2016, Global Football has a potential 12 spring tours and games to nations including: Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland and Panama, allowing host clubs' coaches to have an opportunity to participate in the ICE initiative in August 2016.
About Global Football:
Since 1996 Global Football has provided 14,000 amateur football players, coaches, families and fans from 350 schools the opportunity to travel and compete internationally with similar people of differing cultures. During that time they have produced games and tours in 23 countries on 6 continents, including the 2012 and 2014 GIFT events staged in Ireland alongside the NCAA college football games. Through these games, clinics and tours the people involved experience and learn about unique lands, fascinating people, and the sports environment in different parts of the world. Global Football has become the world's largest exporter and producer of American football outside of the USA. Contact Patrick Steenberge: Tel: 817-219-7274 / Email:
Patrick@GlobalFootball.com Tupande Kileleni: Let's Climb to the Summit Together - the inspiring story by Global President Patrick Steenberge of how determined individuals from three nations came together as one team to play the first-ever game of American football on the African continent is now available. It can now be purchased online from the world's number one online retailer Amazon.com and in store and online from Barnes & Noble, the largest retail bookseller in the United States. Watch the promo video now!
https://www.youtube.com/embed/ULzD7D9012o
