The Azzurri Story

Azzurri Sports and Leisure was founded in September 2002 when Luigi Gaudelli and Alex Callaby took over the management  of an existing league which had been running at Woking Leisure Centre since 1977. Lu and Alex enjoyed running the Woking League so much that in 2003 they decided to try and replicate the model in other locations in Surrey. They applied to the Princes Trust for assistance and received a loan of £3,000 and officially launched the company.

Throughout 2003-2007 Azzurri built a name for themselves as 5 a side football specialists organising 5 a side leagues across Surrey in locations such as Aldershot and Staines and extending their program in Woking.  

In 2004 they organised their first corporate event, the Estate Agents Cup and have since organised events for the recruitment and financial services industries as well as Luton and Birmingham Airports.

In February 2007 Luigi and Alex went back to the Princes Trust to request more assistance, but this time in the form of mentorship. The Trust introduced them to Keith Smith and Michael Brunwin whom they appointed non executive development directors. Through Keith and Mike, and through the company's excellent relationship with Woking Football Club, they were introduced to Chris Ingram in January 2008. Chris immediately saw the potential in the business and through his investment company, Ingram Enterprise, he took a significant minority shareholding in the company which he then increased later in the year. Chris is now executive Chairman of the business and as part of his overall commitment to football in Surrey he is committed to seeing Azzurri grow and succeed as a business.

Azzurri now run over 30 leagues throughout Surrey, Berkshire and Hampshire and their program is extending every week. Events last year were organised in prestigious venues across the country such as Birmingham's St Andrews and Blackburn's Ewood Park.

Azzurri also prides itself on the work it does in the community and the diversification of football. They started the first Surrey ladies league in summer 2008 and plan to extend that program this summer and have developed a Community Against Racism 5 a side football event which has run in Woking every year for the last four years and is being extended this summer to Bracknell and Runnymede.

The prognosis looks good for 2009 with over 20 new leagues planned, new community initiatives undertaken and a rebranding to AzzurriFives all in the pipeline, don't take your eyes off them!