- Launch event celebrates contributions of WA players from Italian heritage to WAFL, VFL and AFL
- Final team to be announced at a gala event in May 2024
The inaugural Western Australian Italian Team of the Century will today be launched by the WA Italian Club.
This landmark initiative, supported by all WAFL clubs and the WA Football Commission, will recognise the outstanding contributions that players of Italian heritage have made to the elite level of Australian Rules Football in WA.
Peter Gangemi, Chairman of the WA Italian Team of the Century, said the event will recognise the impact Italians have made to Australian Rules with the motto 'One hundred years, two lands, one game, one team'.
The selection panel, including WAFL Coach Coordinator Tony Micale, former AFL footballer Ron Alexander, and former AFL sports commentator, player and coach Dennis Cometti, will choose the 18 team players (including captain) in positional order, five Interchange players and one coach.
In May 2024, the names of the final members of the WA Italian Team of the Century will be revealed at a formal gala event.
The gala will bring together the football community, supporters and the wider public to celebrate the achievements of these extraordinary players.
Proceeds from the event will be donated to Telethon.
As stated by Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister Dr Tony Buti:
"The Italian Team of the Century initiative is a tribute to the strong impact that Western Australian players of Italian descent have had on the sport, shaping its history and contributing to its growth in this State.
"I commend the WA Italian Club for its commitment to fostering a sense of community and preserving the heritage of Italian Australians in Western Australia."
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman:
"This a fantastic project that will highlight the skills, dedication and achievements of these exceptional athletes.
"Western Australia has produced many tremendous players of Italian descent and I look forward to seeing the final team."
