International recognition for Notre Dame’s soccer superstar

Document Type

Media Release

Publication Date

Summer 28-2-2012

Publisher Name

The University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle

Publication Place

Fremantle

Abstract

The dazzling soccer skills of a student from The University of Notre Dame Australia’s Fremantle Campus have caught the eyes of some of the game’s biggest names after a solid performance in an Argentinean futsal competition.

Second year Bachelor of Sport and Recreational Management student, Daniel Cappellaro, was the only international representative at the tournament which featured some of the most gifted futsal players from across the South American country.

The 26-year-old Willetton resident was part of the victorious Buenos Aires-based team, Deportivo Caseros, where his skill and endurance was put to the test against the best teams from other cities in Argentina.

Futsal is a smaller, indoor variant of soccer and is played between two teams each with five players, including a goalkeeper. It is generally played on a hard-court surface and slide tackles are disallowed.

He was sighted whilst playing in an international futsal tournament in Cairns with his West Australian League club JJ United. At the tournament he also had the opportunity to meet some of the players and coaches from the Argentinean team.

“They were watching a few of our games, and we watched a few of theirs, and at the end of the tournament they asked me if I would like to head over to Argentina to play in a tournament and I jumped at that opportunity,” Mr Cappellaro said.

“The game is incredibly physical over in South America and their players have excellent technical ability.”

Mr Cappellaro’s passion for the round ball game was cultivated through a family trip to the Piedmont region of Italy at the age of eight.

It was during this trip that he established a closer relationship with his cousin who played for Italian side Borgosesia Calcio in the Serie D competition.

Mr Cappellaro made another journey to Europe in 2007 to train with Dutch Eredivisie side ZVV Ter Beek in Amsterdam. There, he was also taught the fundamental skills of futsal and a few additional tricks and manoeuvres required during intense games of street football.

At the age of 18, Mr Cappellaro combined the initial of his first name, his preferred number and the love of the game to begin his own soccer coaching company called D10 Football.

With a focus on fine-tuning basic soccer skills in young players, such as dribbling, passing and shooting, Mr Cappellaro says he could see himself as a coach if his aspirations of playing soccer professionally aren’t realised.

Through the practicum component of his degree at Notre Dame, he also offers his soccer expertise to the Perth Glory and its ‘Glory in the Community’ program. The program conducts training and skills sessions for children of all abilities – from school clinics to the Perth Glory’s Summer Development Program.

“I have conducted coaching and other skills sessions at events for companies such as Castrol, Weet Bix and Red Bull,” Mr Cappellaro said.

“Basically, if I can’t play the game I love professionally, then it would be great to coach and be involved in the marketing side of football.

“I know it’s a cliché, but the best advice I give to young soccer players is to practice, practice, practice, and to always learn from their coaches and people they meet.”

MEDIA CONTACT:
Michelle Ebbs: Tel (08) 9433 0610; Mob 0408 959 138
Leigh Dawson: Tel (08) 9433 0569; Mob 0405 441 093

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