Earlier this year in April, at an official presentation held at the Fremantle Football Club Headquarters, Fremantle chief operating officer Gary Walton presented club jumpers and other equipment donated by Fremantle to the Secretary General of the Italian Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Marco Mari, who accepted on behalf of the Genova Dockers.
This time, Walton was in Italy, where he met with Genova Dockers' president, Signore Graziano Arnulfo and club captain Tommaso Arnulfo.
One of the main talking points was the performance of the Genova Dockers in the AFL Italia League, who are sitting in second place after four rounds of the competition.
Graziano Arnulfo spoke of the team’s pride when they ran onto the field to compete in the historic first game of the AFL Italia League in May in their new Fremantle Football Club jumpers.
“The jumpers seemed to give the team a boost and gave a message to the other clubs that the Genova Dockers are here, proud and strong,” he said.
“I think this team spirit helped us to victory in the first ever game of an Australian Rules football league played in Italy.”
The Western Australian Government Office in London has also supported AFL Italia by donating a Premiership Cup, which is being strongly contested amongst the four AFL Italia Clubs - Genova Dockers, Aussie Rules Lugano, Milano Aussie Rulers and Roma Aussie Rules Football Club.
AFL Italia is also busy working with the European Australian Football Association (EAFA) to host the 2010 Euro Cup in Milano.
Selection for the Italian national “Azzurri” team to compete in the Euro Cup will be announced at the end of the League competition.
The Fremantle Football Club is proud to welcome the Genova Dockers and looks forward to working together as partner clubs.
