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50 golden years for International

Posted on October 5, 2009, 12:12pm and updated on October 6, 2009 at 4:25 pm

Inter 50 years

Former International Soccer Club player Mauro Rossi and his son Austin wore the black and blue with pride at Casadio Park on Saturday. The powerhouse club celebrated its 50-year milestone on the weekend with a past players’ match and other celebratory functions.

International Soccer Club kicked a significant goal on the weekend when it celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Considered one of the most successful regional sporting clubs in South Australia, the weekend’s activities delved into the rich history of the club and marked its current achievements.

Hundreds of people — including players from the early years — attended functions at Casadio Park to mark the club’s historic occasion.

One of those was club president and stalwart Tony Moretti.

“Fifty years is pretty special and it looks like the club is getting better and better,” said Mr Moretti, who was the club’s first secretary 50 years ago.

He said the club was started by a handful of migrants who had a modest dream to start a soccer club.

“I am amazed about how much it has grown over the years,” Mr Moretti said.

Meanwhile, foundation member Rocco Di Ritto — who was the club’s first president — echoed similar sentiments about his much-loved club.

“We are all surprised about the club’s success. We initially had eight founding members, but sadly only four are still alive,” Mr Di Ritto said.

“I never dreamed the club could grow so big.”

He said the club had 270 members and a wonderful and strong volunteer base, ranging from young people to women in their seventies who regularly sweated over hot pans in the kitchen to serve up the club’s famous pasta and pizza dishes.

Adding to the colourful conversation that whipped up many memories of the past, Mr Moretti also praised the women who have helped forge the club.

“Without the women, the club would not be here. They do a wonderful job,” he said.

Meanwhile, Vic Gentile — who was also a forming member and later worked to establish other soccer clubs in the region — said soccer flowed through his veins and had always been a big part of his life.

” It is more than just a sport, it is a passion” Mr Gentile said.

One of the largest milestones in the club’s history was the building of the Casadio Park clubrooms in the early 1970s.

“This was a big moment for the club — it was built by volunteers,” Mr Moretti said.

Speaking about the club’s on field success, he said the club was the most successful soccer club in Mount Gambier.

“We have won 27 premierships, which has included six in a row. This is a great achievement by our players,” Mr Moretti said.

Spawned 50 years ago by a number of hardworking Italian migrants, the club was established during a time where soccer was not a traditional sport in Australia.

In the early years, playing soccer in the traditional Australian town of Mount Gambier triggered discrimination.

But drawing on their Italian spirit and work ethic, their culture flourished and the game of soccer flourished.

While the naming of the club drew some passionate debate among the foundation members, they finally agreed to call the club International Soccer Club, which was named after the famous Internazionale in Milan.

When International played their first season as a member of the South East Soccer Association in 1960, the league comprised of Blue Lake, Croatia, Nangwarry United, Naracoorte, Portland and Aurora (Millicent).

But at this time International had trouble recruiting players, so Mr Di Rito took matters into his own hands.

He began a recruitment drive at the migrant camp Bonegilla in NSW, which was the first stop for new migrants who had just hopped off the boat.

Along with Tony Moretti, they recruited some of the club’s most talented players, including Carlo Bertetic, Gabrielli and Luigi Pasin and club legend Gino Vadori.

The club leased its first land from city council on the corner of Newton Crescent and Pressey Street, off Pick Avenue, in 1960.

In 1968 the Italo Australian Club was formed and it bought a small piece of land at Moorak, which is now home to Casadio Park.

While dozens have people have helped build the strong foundations of the club, the late Bert Dimuccio and the late Clem Michielan are considered icons of the club.

The club bar is called Bert’s Bar and the Michielan Cup is played annually between Inter and Apollo, which have been great and fierce rivals.

  • Anniversary photographs will be published in The Border Watch on Tuesday.
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Comments

One Response to “50 golden years for International”

  1. John vanderley on November 25th, 2009 2:40 am 1

    I played for Inter in the early 60s and i always like to think back to the time
    when i played for the club some times when i phone my brother in Mt Gambier
    we wil bring back old memories.Now I am living back in Holland but still
    contact my brother every week and of course there is always the Border Watch.
    I did meet Rocco in 2000 on the jetty in Port Mac while was there fishing
    Iwish the club much luck and successfor the following 50 years
    Yours John vander ley Giony

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