Paradise soccer referee to blow whistle on 30-year career

TONY Dellapace is refereeing his final game of primary school soccer after bringing his passion for the round ball game with him when he migrated from Italy in 1952.

Primary school referee

TONY Dellapace is refereeing his final game of primary school soccer after bringing his passion for the round ball game with him when he migrated from Italy in 1952.

The 76 year old has spent the past 30 years coaching and officiating with the Eastern Zone Primary Schools Soccer Association, overseeing games at Paradise Primary School.

"I came from Europe with a passion," he said.

"I came very young and I always played soccer overseas and the first thing I asked my cousin when I came to Australia was 'is there any soccer in Australia?'

"He wasn't involved in sport so he brought me to Norwood Parade to watch (Australian Rules) football, but I said that's not round ball, it's long ball.

"But I got involved playing soccer with a couple of clubs."

After playing the game and refereeing games for the South Australian Soccer Federation, the Glynde man turned his attention to teaching and refereeing children.

"I took it on as a volunteer, coaching first and then refereeing and now I love it," he said. "I wasn't only a referee, I would coach them through the game."

EZPSSA vice president Aldo Perilli said it was impossible to put a value on Mr Dellapace's contribution to the game.

"Tony's been involved in both coaching and refereeing and he's one of the most resilient guys," he said.

The association runs primary school games on 11 pitches across three venues.

Mr Dellapace is scheduled to referee his final games at Paradise Primary this weekend.