THE PROJECT
The Project was established by Genova International School of Soccer in August 2009 in Zane, Vicenza, Northern Italy. The program is an exclusive operation that has been designed to cater to promising young footballers wanting a career pathway. Players are chosen from GISS academies worldwide and trials via the I.D camps.
For the duration of the project, they players are given a chance of a lifetime: to be able to live their dreams, living the life of a professional European footballer, living and breathing football everyday at the highest level possible.
The players abroad program in Italy has seen many players come through our program that have gone on to become professional players.
The program has helped players to develop thier skills and to help them acclimatize to the conditions and level of European football. The program has not only placed players to pro clubs in Italy but also to other football nations such as United Kingdom, Hungary,Spain, Greece, Romania, Switzerland, Singapore and Turkey.
THE PROGRAM
Players are working 6 days per week with double sessions most days. Mornings include gym and pool sessions. The afternoons are always on the field at the stadium complex in the sports village in Ovada. Official friendly games are played every Wednesday or Thursday against teams of serie A, B, C, and D clubs. Sunday is players day off, where often they are taken to watch serie A and B teams play live or excursions are set to visit different towns in the region. School and Italian lessons are a part of the program, with some players finishing their schooling abroad and online.
OBJECTIVES
Create a pathway for players to achieve their dreams of playing football at a professional level. Assist participants to develop and rapidly adjust and orient to the Italian football culture.
STAFF
Morris Pagniello (Director/Agent) Former professional footballer, having played 10 years in Italy, UK, Hungary, Australia and the USA. Morris is also legal representative for players in any negotiations with clubs.
Fabrizio De Poli (General Manager) Former professional Italian player having played over 300 games with Livorno, Padova, Treviso, Arezzo, and recently general manager of Genoa cfc, Vicenza Calcio, Cittadella and Lucchese.
Maurizio Turone (Head Scout) Former Professional International player and living Legend of As Roma, Ac Milan, Genoa cfc, Bologna, Catanzaro. having played over 350 serie A games. Winner of 2 Champions league titles.
Robert Briata (Coach) Former Professional Footballer, Genoa, Alessandria, Valezana, and current Coach of Genoa reserve team.
Ivan Vukomanovic (Coach) Former Professional Footballer, Serbian International, Red Star Belgrade, FC Bordeaux, Dynamo Moscow, 1 FC Koln, FC Lokeren, Qingdao Jonoon FC.
Davide Sannazzaro (Press officer)
Calin Puscas (Team Manager)