The Italian National Olympic Committee in the USA (Coni USA,) the Committee of Italian Abroad in NY (Com.It.Es NY) and the Pontelandolfo Community Club (Ponte Club) announce the 3^rd Bocce & Picnic Tournament for families of the Italian, Italian-American communities and all citizens who love the Italian language and culture. 

The Tournament takes place on the bocce courts of the Pontelandolfo Club in Waterbury, CT, on Saturday, May 13, 2023, from 9am to conclusion of games. The sport aspect of the event is entrusted to Coni Usa, creator of the program, the promotional and financial burden is shared among the three organisations. 

The first tournament was held in Queens, NY in October of 2022, with the enthusiastic participation of eight teams, some of whom were not Italian citizens, but lovers of Italy, its language and its love for socialising through sport. Other tournaments will be held in the TriState area and the winners will be invited to a final round to be held next Fall in New York City (day, time and locations to be announced later in the year).

With this initiative, Coni USA and Comites NY, in collaboration with other community organizations, wish to create an annual bocce tournament where healthy physical activity and socialization take place which also generates new friendships.

Bocce Court address and directions -  380 Farmwood Rd, Waterbury, CT 06704. There is ample free parking at the club. Check location on Google Map for how to arrive there for our departure point.

Participants - There are at least ten teams who have registered and more are expected to do so at the last minute. 

Regulations and prizes - Club rules of the game are adopted. The top three teams will be awarded Olympic style medals and the first placed team will be invited to a grand final in New York City next Fall.

Registration - Registration is free. For information call Mr. Franco Rinaldi at 1-203-558-8581. Pontelandolfo Club personnel will be at the bocce courts from 8am.

Picnic - To promote socialization between participants, a pizza-picnic will take place on the premises after the completion of the games and award ceremony.

Organizers on site: Representatives of the three organizing entities will be on site to meet and greet. There will be also other community leaders in attendance.

For the Pontelandolfo Community Club: Antonio Rubbo, President.

For the Italian National Olympic Committee USA Delegation: Cav. Uff. Mico Delianova Licastro, President

For the Com.it.esNY: Alessandro Crocco, President; Dr. Leide Porcu, Sports Commission Chair.

The sport of Bocce - The United States Bocce Federation estimates that the athletes who play regularly are around one million three hundred thousand. The Italian Bocce Federation boasts about 100,000 members, with 45,000 competitors and about one million practitioners.

Coni Usa: It is the operational arm of CONI (Italian National Olympic Committee) in the USA. It was created in 2009 and has promoted the diffusion of competitive and recreational sport events in the Italian and Italian-American communities. Among other initiatives in several US cities it also organizes the participation of young Italian-American athletes and teams in Italian tournaments at the  Coni Summer Trophy in September (this year held in the Region of Basilicata) and at the Coni Winter Trophy in December (this year held in the Region of Piemonte) for U14 athletes. The Coni Trophy was formerly known as Giochi della Gioventu’.

Comites NY: Established in 1985, the Comites (Comitato degli Italiani all’Estero) are representative bodies of the Italian community, elected directly by Italians residing abroad in each consular district where at least three thousand registered compatriots reside. The current Com.It.EsNY, elected in December 2021 represents the italian communities of the States of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Bermuda in relations with the italian consulate in NY.

Pontelandolfo Community Club, Founded in the 1930s, the Pontelandolfo Community Club has been the center of Italian cultural activities and other events in the Waterbury area. Its facility is situated on 40+ private acres of beautiful manicured grounds that include multiple pavilions that can hold 1000+ people, the Chapel of San Donato, soccer field, indoor heated and cooled bocce courts and a banquet hall that can hold 700 people. Its leadership has allowed the Club to serve various community organizations each year.

Thanks for their collaboration: Cav. Alfonso Panico, former Italian Honorary Consul for CT; Nick Perugini, corresponding secretary Pontelandolfo Club; Cav. Nicola Trombetta, President of the Federazione dei Campani nel NA.

Communication: Paolo Tartamella, [email protected], cell: (646) 320-9033; Ornella Fado, [email protected].