MANY of the elite women and men players in the Albury-Wodonga Football Association will play in a charity game next month.
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Two games are scheduled at the La Trobe University soccer pitch on October 29 to raise funds for the Italian village of Amatrice which was recently decimated by earthquakes.
The fund raising games are the idea of long-time club and representative coach Carlo Villani, who has been recognised with an association life membership for his contribution to the sport in the region.
Villani was born in Italy and came to Australia more than 40 years ago.
Other association stalwarts, including former president Colin Johnson, star player Nathan Mirt, Steve Hayes, Colin Campbell and Boomers' coach Andrew Grove, have pledged support for the concept.
Villani said contact has been made with the mayor of Amatrice, who has been advised any money raised will be provided for the town's hospital and schools which were badly damaged.
"One team in each of the games will consist of players of Italian heritage and descent," Villani said.
"The other teams will be called the "All Stars" and have players of Australian heritage or other countries.
The Italian women's team will be coached by Tony Cigana and Ray Damarca with the men's team being guided by Nathan Mirt and Matt Park.
Steve Kusic will coach the women's All Stars team and the men's team by Matt Maw and Albury United's Matt Campbell.
Villani said an account had been established at the Lavington branch of the Bendigo Bank in the name of Amatrice Earthquake Trust.
It is likely the women's match will start at 4.45pm.