Arcuri Cup kicks more goals as football clubs much-needed defibrillators

EVEN a month’s delay due to waterlogged pitches hasn’t dimmed the excitement around this year’s Marc Arcuri Cup, which has helped provide defibrillators to many clubs in NSW.

Robert Attard, Daniel Arcuri, Rebecca Arcuri, Adam Arcuri, Dennis Arcuri, Sue Arcuri, Vanessa Arcuri, Benjamin Cauchi and Christopher Attard with the cup.

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EVEN a month’s delay due to waterlogged pitches hasn’t dimmed the excitement around this year’s Marc Arcuri Cup now being held on the weekend of November 10 and 11, at Club Marconi, Bossley Park.

The six-a-side tournament honours the memory of young footballer Marc Arcuri who collapsed and died after suffering a heart attack while playing for Austral FC, aged just 15.

The Marc Arcuri Cup raising money for defibrillators and is back at Club Marconi after a one year absence.

Co-founders Robby Mansour and Alex Cauchi with the Marc Arcuri Cup.

“We started this tournament in 2014 with 12 teams and the aim of raising enough money to purchase one defibrillator,” Marc Arcuri Foundation co-founder Alex Cauchi said. “Since then we’ve raised enough money to purchase 50.

A defibrillator was donated to the OLQP Falcons at Daniel Street Park at Greystanes by the Marc Arcuri Foundation and Royal Life Saving NSW in 2016. From left: Falcons Club president Simon Semaan with Robby Mansour and Alex Cauchi from the foundation.

“We’ve smashed our previous fundraising record thanks to some very generous sponsors.”

The tournament has attracted more than 85 teams and includes boys, women and men categories. The two-day event features food stalls, entertainment, DJs, and bubble soccer.

For Marc’s older cousin Robby Mansour — a foundation co-founder, the cup “has become so special not just to our family, but to the thousands who get involved every year.”

The foundation has been buoyed by the fact that one their defibrillators saved the life of 64-year-old Ian Rae in April.

Times: Saturday 8am — 5pm; Sunday 10am — 7pm. Entry: gold coin donation.