About the Shooters
The Vaughan Italia Shooters are one of the original eight clubs that joined the Canadian Soccer League in its inaugural year, then known as the York Region Shooters. Since then, the Italia Shooters have had many homes, with Richmond Hill, Aurora, Thornhill, Woodbridge all at some time or another being called home. But finally, in 2008 the Italia Shooters have found a permanent home and have their very own field in Maple, in the City of Vaughan.
The Italia Shooters home field location at St. Joan of Arc High School is ideal, as it is in the centre of one of the fast expanding areas of Maple- right across the street from the Maple Community Centre, Canada’s Wonderland, Vaughan Mills Mall, thousands of new homes and condominiums, and the soon to be new Vaughan City Hall.
The Italia Shooters have made it to the finals of the CSL championships for four straight seasons, and have been finalists all four times. Finally in 2006, the Italia Shooters defeated the Serbian White Eagles 1-0 and were crowned Canadian Soccer League Champions in 2006.
Along the way, Italia Shooters have had many players play for the team that have represented Canada at various international games as well as playing in Europe and abroad.
- Atriba Hutchinson – currently playing for F.C. Copenhagen in Denmark and plays on the Canadian national team.
- Miguel Caninzalez – played on the Canadian national team, played last year with Toronto FC and is now playing in Europe.
- Adrian Caan – played with the Columbus Crew in the MLS and various A league teams, and is now on the Vancouver Whitecaps
- Mathew Palleschi – played on various A league teams, most recently the Montréal Impact, and is now back with the Italia Shooters.
There have been many more other very good players come through the Italia Shooters program, and we hope to continue this tradition in the future. In order to continue developing players, in 2008 The Italia Shooters started their very first outdoor Soccer Academy, and in the first year have already registered over 300 youth players from ages 3 – 16.
The Italia Shooters have also affiliated with another soccer academy, The Shooting Stars, and placed two competitive teams in the Soccer Academy Alliance Canada program (ages U14 and U16).
In addition, the Italia Shooters have also developed a women’s soccer league, entitled The Lady Shooters League, which has begun their very first outdoor season in 2008 with seven teams and well over 100 players.