A NEW tradition kicks off at Hilton Park later this month when two historic football clubs go head to head in a festival celebrating Sicilian culture.
Fremantle City Football Club and Balcatta Etna FC will showcase both clubs’ men’s and women’s teams on the same day, which Fremantle’s vice president Sam Tomeo says is a bit of a rarity.
“It’s a great way to look back at both of our histories, and celebrate that in a festival of football where we get to showcase not only our men’s, but also our women’s teams,” Mr Tomeo said.
The Cup also honours Fremantle’s vibrant Italian community, with the club promising authentic cannoli and arancini which can be washed down with some birra messina.
An accordion player will pump out some Sicilian folk songs, while Mr Tomeo says a cultural standout will be a Briscola competition, a card game popular with older Italians.
“This will allow more senior citizens within the Italian Community to come and play with friends and all family members,” he said.
“We have small prizes, and I think all fans of the broader community will enjoy it as they’ll see it firsthand on that day.”
Mr Tomeo says keeping Italian culture alive is at the heart of the festival
“We’re working really hard with the Italian Club in Fremantle and the Italian Village Nursing Home in Fremantle. We’re finding opportunities for them to come along and celebrate the day as well,” he said.
Junior leaguers will also showcase their talents during halftime games.
“For juniors this will be an unusually big crowd because of the celebration, and it will be exciting for a lot of those senior players who wouldn’t have ever played in front of a crowd this big before,” Mr Tomeo said.
The Sicilian Cup is Saturday, March 29 at Hilton Park.
by IZABELLA GONZALEZ
Perth Voice Interactive 
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