Camp Darby takes on professional soccer team Published Dec. 21, 2007 By Joyce Costello U.S. Army Garrison Livorno Public Affairs CAMP DARBY, Italy-- -- Camp Darby recently hosted its first charity soccer tournament to help the association of parents of children affected by leukemia or tumors. The Pisa Grande Cuore, a professional team in the Italian series B league, the Pisa Grande Cuore, a team formed by the local community and the Camp Darby team played in the round robin tournament. The Pisa soccer team, which has been practicing on Camp Darby for the past four months, normally draws a regular group of people sitting outside the gate to watch the team practice. According to the Italian base commander Col. Raffaele Iubini, this tournament was an additional opportunity to open the base to the public. "We had more than 200 guests visit the base to watch the tournament," said Col. Iubini. "We consider Camp Darby to be an integral part of the community and our goal is to continue to build positive relationships with the local communities, population and local authorities." U.S. Army Garrison Livorno Commander Lt. Col. Steven Cade added that the tournament underlined the friendship between the Italian and American people. "This has been a great event that shows the great personal and working relationships between the countries of Italy and the United States of America," said Cade. "This small tournament of three teams confirms, through the popular game of soccer, the strong ties of friendship and brotherhood between Italians and Americans. It is important as individual ambassadors, that we (Camp Darby community members) take the time to share our own fortune and blessings with others. It felt good to be able to present the AGBALT with a check for 800 euro to help children suffering from leukemia." The money was raised from a golf tournament sponsored by the 31st Munitions Squadron's "Top 5" and from a donation from the Global Credit Union.