Italia Shooters
Encyclopedia
York Region Shooters are a Canadian soccer team, founded in 1998. The team is a member of the Canadian Soccer League
, the third tier of soccer in the Canadian soccer pyramid
and the largest domestic pro league in Canada
.
The Shooters currently play their home games at the St. Joan of Arc Turf Field
in the community of Maple, Ontario
, around 12 miles north-east of downtown Toronto
. The team's colors are blue and white, mirroring those of the Italian national football team and reflecting the cultural heritage of the club.
in its inaugural season. The club changed their name to the Glen Shields Sun Devils the following year. They underwent another name change, this time to the Vaughan Sun Devils in 2002 and, after merging with the York Region Shooters in 2003, became the Vaughan Shooters prior to the 2004 season.
With the creation of the new International Division of the Canadian Soccer League
, and to celebrate the club’s strong Italian
heritage, the club changed its name yet again, becoming the Italia Shooters in 2006 until 2010 when it was changed to the present York Region Shooters, reflecting the previous merger in 2003 and the larger area of York Region the club has played in and represents. The club has also introduced new crests over the years, mostly recently updating the crest for the 2011 CSL season.
Jason De Thomasis Atiba Hutchinson
Matthew Palleschi
Marlon Sequeira
Camilo Benzi Fitzroy Christey Francesco Vescio Kadian Lecky Rick Titus
Canadian Soccer League
The Canadian Soccer League is the top soccer league in Canada and is controlled by the Canadian Soccer Association. It was formerly known as the Canadian Professional Soccer League , and was officially re-branded on May 17, 2006...
, the third tier of soccer in the Canadian soccer pyramid
Canadian soccer pyramid
The Canadian soccer pyramid is a term used in soccer to describe the structure of the league system in Canada. The governing body of soccer in the country is the Canadian Soccer Association , which oversees the system and domestic cups but does not operate any of its component leagues...
and the largest domestic pro league in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
The Shooters currently play their home games at the St. Joan of Arc Turf Field
The Soccer Centre
The Soccer Centre, also known as the Ontario Soccer Centre, is Canada's leading competition, training, education, and exposition soccer facility. It is located in Vaughan, Ontario, 20 km north-west of downtown Toronto....
in the community of Maple, Ontario
Maple, Ontario
Maple is a high-growth suburban community northwest of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, part of the city of Vaughan in York Region.-Geography:The west branch of the Don River rises to the northwest and flows 1 km west of Maple. Several creeks are to the east and the Black Creek begins slightly west...
, around 12 miles north-east of downtown Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. The team's colors are blue and white, mirroring those of the Italian national football team and reflecting the cultural heritage of the club.
History
The Shooters were founded as Glen Shields in 1998 as one of the original eight clubs to join the Canadian Soccer LeagueCanadian Soccer League
The Canadian Soccer League is the top soccer league in Canada and is controlled by the Canadian Soccer Association. It was formerly known as the Canadian Professional Soccer League , and was officially re-branded on May 17, 2006...
in its inaugural season. The club changed their name to the Glen Shields Sun Devils the following year. They underwent another name change, this time to the Vaughan Sun Devils in 2002 and, after merging with the York Region Shooters in 2003, became the Vaughan Shooters prior to the 2004 season.
With the creation of the new International Division of the Canadian Soccer League
Canadian Soccer League
The Canadian Soccer League is the top soccer league in Canada and is controlled by the Canadian Soccer Association. It was formerly known as the Canadian Professional Soccer League , and was officially re-branded on May 17, 2006...
, and to celebrate the club’s strong Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
heritage, the club changed its name yet again, becoming the Italia Shooters in 2006 until 2010 when it was changed to the present York Region Shooters, reflecting the previous merger in 2003 and the larger area of York Region the club has played in and represents. The club has also introduced new crests over the years, mostly recently updating the crest for the 2011 CSL season.
Current squad
As of May 12, 2010. via 2010 PreviewNotable former players
Miguel Caninzalez Adrian CannAdrian Cann
Adrian Cann is a Canadian international soccer defender who currently plays for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer.-College:Cann had a college soccer career at the University of Louisville from 2000 to 2003...
Jason De Thomasis Atiba Hutchinson
Atiba Hutchinson
Atiba Hutchinson is a professional Canadian soccer player who plays for PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Eredivisie.-Club career:...
Matthew Palleschi
Matthew Palleschi
Matthew Palleschi is a retired Canadian soccer player. In his final year in 2008, he played for the Italia Shooters in the Canadian Soccer League.- Humber College Hawks :...
Marlon Sequeira
Marlon Sequeira
Marlon Sequeira is a Canadian soccer player who currently plays for the Brampton Lions of the Canadian Soccer League.- Youth career :...
Camilo Benzi Fitzroy Christey Francesco Vescio Kadian Lecky Rick Titus
Year-by-year
| Year | Team Name | Division | League | Regular Season | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Glen Shields | "1" | CPSL | 3rd | Semi-Finals |
| 1999 | Glen Shields Sun Devils | "1" | CPSL | 3rd | Semi-Finals |
| 2000 | Glen Shields Sun Devils | "1" | CPSL | 4th | Semi-Finals |
| 2001 | Glen Shields Sun Devils | "1" | CPSL | 7th | Did not qualify |
| 2002 | Glen Shields Sun Devils | "1" | CPSL | 6th, Eastern | Did not qualify |
| 2003 | Vaughan Sun Devils | "1" | CPSL | 3rd, Eastern | Final |
| 2004 | Vaughan Shooters | "1" | CPSL | 3rd, Eastern | Final |
| 2005 | Vaughan Shooters | "1" | CPSL | 1st, Eastern | Final |
| 2006 | Italia Shooters | International | CSL | 3rd, International | Champions |
| 2007 | Italia Shooters | International | CSL | 2nd, International | Quarter-Finals |
| 2008 | Italia Shooters | International | CSL | 1st, International | Semi-Finals |
| 2009 | Italia Shooters | International | CSL | 3rd, International | Semi-Finals |
| 2010 | York Region Shooters | CSL | "1" | Quarter-Finals |
Coaching History
| Nation | Name | Date Started | Date Finished | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Canada |
Ron Harrison | 1998 | 1999 | Left Club |
| Canada |
Dave Benning Dave Benning Dave Benning is a Canadian retired soccer player and coach.Benning is best known for his work with the Canadian Professional Soccer League and Vaughan Shooters from 1998 to 2004. Benning was appointed assistant coach of the Glen Shields soccer club in the clubs first season in 1998... |
1999 | Early 2004 | Retired |
| Canada |
Sam Medieros | Early 2004 | Mid 2004 | |
| Canada |
Tony De Thomasis Tony De Thomasis Antonio "Anthony" De Thomasis is a Canadian soccer owner, manager, coach and retired player. Tony De Thomasis is the owner and founder of the Vaughan Shooters, now known as the York Region Shooters, and is their present General Manager. The club, founded in 1998, plays in the Canadian Soccer League... |
Mid 2004 | Late 2005 | Current 2009 |
| Canada |
Carmine Isacco Carmine Isacco Carmine Isacco is a Canadian soccer coach and retired player. He is currently the head coach of SC Toronto of the Canadian Soccer League.-Playing career:... |
Late 2005 | 2006 | |
| Canada |
Tony De Thomasis | 2006 | 2009 | |
| Canada |
Carmine Isacco | 2008 | Went to York University as Head Coach | |
Stadiums\Venues
| Year(s) | Stadium\Venue | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1998–04 | Dufferin District Field Dufferin District Field Dufferin District Field was a Canadian exposition soccer facility. It was located in Thornhill, Ontario, Canada.Dufferin District Field broke ground in 1995, was built 1996, and opened in 1998. The field was built for the Canadian Professional Soccer League team, Glen Shields... |
Thornhill, Ontario Thornhill, Ontario Thornhill is a community in the Greater Toronto Area of Southern Ontario, Canada, located on the northern border of the city of Toronto. Once a municipal village, Thornhill is now a community and postal designation geographically split into two municipalities along Yonge Street, the city of... , Canada Canada Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean... |
| 2004– | St. Joan Of Arc Turf Field The Soccer Centre The Soccer Centre, also known as the Ontario Soccer Centre, is Canada's leading competition, training, education, and exposition soccer facility. It is located in Vaughan, Ontario, 20 km north-west of downtown Toronto.... |
Maple, Ontario Maple, Ontario Maple is a high-growth suburban community northwest of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, part of the city of Vaughan in York Region.-Geography:The west branch of the Don River rises to the northwest and flows 1 km west of Maple. Several creeks are to the east and the Black Creek begins slightly west... , Canada Canada Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean... |
Club\Player Awards
| Season | Club Award | Individual | Individual Award |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | None | None | None |
| 1999 | None | None | None |
| 2000 | None | None | None |
| 2001 | None | None | None |
| 2002 | None | None | None |
| 2003 | CPSL Rogers Cup Rogers Cup (soccer) The Canadian Soccer League championship final is the final play-off game of the Canadian Soccer League and its predecessor the Canadian Professional Soccer League... Runner-up |
None | None |
| 2004 | CPSL Rogers Cup Rogers Cup (soccer) The Canadian Soccer League championship final is the final play-off game of the Canadian Soccer League and its predecessor the Canadian Professional Soccer League... Runner-up |
None | None |
| 2005 | CPSL Rogers Cup Rogers Cup (soccer) The Canadian Soccer League championship final is the final play-off game of the Canadian Soccer League and its predecessor the Canadian Professional Soccer League... Runner-up |
Desi Humphrey, Tony De Thomasis Tony De Thomasis Antonio "Anthony" De Thomasis is a Canadian soccer owner, manager, coach and retired player. Tony De Thomasis is the owner and founder of the Vaughan Shooters, now known as the York Region Shooters, and is their present General Manager. The club, founded in 1998, plays in the Canadian Soccer League... |
CPSL MVP Award, CPSL President's Award |
| 2006 | CSL Rogers Cup Rogers Cup (soccer) The Canadian Soccer League championship final is the final play-off game of the Canadian Soccer League and its predecessor the Canadian Professional Soccer League... Champions |
Tony De Thomasis Tony De Thomasis Antonio "Anthony" De Thomasis is a Canadian soccer owner, manager, coach and retired player. Tony De Thomasis is the owner and founder of the Vaughan Shooters, now known as the York Region Shooters, and is their present General Manager. The club, founded in 1998, plays in the Canadian Soccer League... |
CSL Coach of the Year Award |
| 2007 | None | None | None |
| 2008 | None | None | None |
