Player Name

1981 Under 13 Boys Ontario Cup Champion Soccer Team

Type

Team

Sport

Soccer

Is Part Of

Niagara Falls Virtual Sports Wall of Fame

Inducted

2024

Description

First Row: Philip Parlatore, John Maiden, Dean Karachi, Paul Howie, Mustafa Sahin, Rocky Vacca, Mauro Ciampa.

Second Row: Peter Mazzone, Robert Desson, Tom Bernardi, Steve Palmer, Wade Fabian, Frank Roperti, Bill Prestia, John Ventresca, Jack Villella.

Back Row: Tony Ventresca, Trainer, Coach Antonio Pingue.

In 1981, the Under 13 Boys soccer team, sponsored by the Niagara Falls Kiwanis Club, won the Ontario Cup Championship, a competition that included 77 of the top teams from across the province. As a small soccer centre in comparison to the other top tier teams in larger areas such as the GTA, this was an impressive
accomplishment, making this the first time the City of Niagara Falls won this championship in this age group. Niagara Falls also won in the U8 age group on the same day and are on the Sports Wall of Fame. Niagara Falls also had two other teams in the final that day in the U10 and U16 who did not win. This was a testament to the player and coaching development by Niagara Falls Boys Soccer Club and their many dedicated volunteers.
The team had a remarkable season, winning both the league and playoff championships and several invitational and international soccer tournaments which included competition from the US and other provinces.
Unfortunately, the National Championship for this age group was cancelled in 1981, depriving this team from competing for a National Championship which would have included some of the teams from other provinces that it had already defeated in tournament play.

This image may not be reproduced without the written consent of the City of Niagara Falls Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture

Subject

Awards

​Sports - Soccer

Niagara Falls Virtual Sports Wall of Fame

Portraits - Biographical