About Us
Our Mission...
A renowned Canadian soccer coach keeps his community on its feet one goal at a time. Carlo Del Monte started an initiative he calls ‘Salute to Soccer’ in 2000 to help raise funds for cancer research, a cause close to his heart.
Since then, Del Monte has raised more than $100,000 for various cancer organizations, through a series of soccer tournaments and galas. His experience from coaching the Canadian Club Championship with Club Italia and Hamilton Steelers in the 1980’s has enabled him to share his skill, passion, and wisdom in soccer with his community.
Even though he’s raised an impressive amount of funds for cancer research, his vision for Salute to Soccer is even bigger. Del Monte hopes to start a month-long ‘Kick 4 Cancer’ soccer tournament reaching every Canadian from coast to coast.
The Founder - Carlo Delmonte
Carlo Delmonte
Carlo’s passion for soccer began in childhood within the narrow and uneven streets of Barletta, Italy. Growing up he loved playing Calcio, and unraveling its complex tactics as a student of the beautiful game. When Carlo landed in Toronto in 1954, he brought with him his love for the game but eventually found his true calling as a coach and keen recruiter.
As a Coach, Carlo led the Downsview Soccer Club through five consecutive Canadian Championships from 1972-1976, an accomplishment that has yet to be duplicated in Canadian Minor Soccer history.
In 1982, Carlo led Toronto Italia through a perfect season, winning both the League and Cup Titles, as well as defeating the Scottish Premier Team Glasgow Celtic 4-1 during an Exhibition match.
In the following year, Carlo led the Hamilton Steelers to the Eastern Canadian Championship in the inaugural year of the Canadian Professional Soccer League, capping off the 1983 season by beating a stalwart Italian Serie A club, Udinese Calcio, 3-2.
The player who scored the winning goal versus Udinese Calcio lost his battle to cancer several years later and inspired Kick4Cancer.
Carlo has dedicated his life to soccer, often sacrificing time with his beautiful family. And, since 2000, with his family by his side, Carlo has raised over $150,000 through Kick4Cancer fundraising initiatives in support of the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation and Cancer research and community programs.