SYDNEY – 2024 marked Australia’s debut in the CONI Trophy, a multi-sport event for young athletes under the age of 14.

CONI is the Italian National Olympic Committee.

The event, which includes both summer and winter editions, is organised in collaboration with the CONI Sports Bodies to highlight the value of sport and its importance in the personal growth of every young person.

Each year, thousands of young Italian athletes compete in regional competitions, representing their region at the national finals of the CONI Trophy.

The event provides an opportunity for young people to compete and socialise with peers from across Italy and, more recently, from countries with significant Italian migrant populations.

Modelled on the Olympic format, this edition of the tournament brought together 4500 Italian athletes representing their respective regions, as well as teams from the United States, Argentina, Brazil and, for the first time, Australia.

“It was a wonderful gesture by CONI to include countries with strong Italian migratory ties, like Australia, to strengthen connections with Italian-descendant communities worldwide,” said Thomas Camporeale, Director of Co.As.It. Sydney, who led the Australian delegation to Sicily.

With the support of Senator Francesco Giacobbe, Co.As.It. selected a team of eight young Italo-Australian athletes to represent the green and gold.

Athletes with Sydney Co.As.It. director Thomas Camporeale (left), Senator Francesco Giacobbe and Cristina Pisani, the vice principal of the Italian Bilingual School in Sydney

CONI limited Australia’s participation to a single sport for this first experience and the Australian team chose football. The team comprised of Allegra Tesoro, Diego Frontini, Gabriel Frontini, Lucia Moschella, Massimiliano Danieletto, Peter Licciardello, Roman Murtagh and Samuele Facibeni.

Following the opening ceremony, presided over by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, the team took to the field in Catania.

The young athletes played with great enthusiasm and, while they didn’t make it to the finals, they still earned a medal as a memento of a memorable experience.

“We gave it our all, and that’s what matters,” Camporeale emphasised.

Beyond the sporting aspect, the young athletes enjoyed a unique cultural experience.

Thanks to the Roots Tourism project, promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the group had the chance to visit iconic sites in Sicily and explore towns connected to their family heritage.

“Some of our athletes had never been to Italy. It was moving to see how this experience encouraged them to reconnect with their Italian roots,” Camporeale shared.

For many of the young participants, this was their first time leaving Australia. The trip offered them a remarkable opportunity to meet relatives, discover their origins and immerse themselves in the unique atmosphere of the Bel Paese.

“It was an incredible experience, organised flawlessly. We loved every moment and hope to participate again next year,” added Camporeale.

The CONI initiative and Australia’s participation in its tournament highlight how sport can serve as a powerful tool for connecting cultures and generations.

For these eight young athletes, the journey to Sicily was not just about competition but a celebration of their Italo-Australian identity.