North Hempstead, NY – Highlighting the success of the ISTEP (Italian Soccer Training Exchange Program) Milan Junior Camp, hosted this past June in conjunction with the Town of North Hempstead, five young Long Island soccer players recently traveled to Bogota, Colombia to take part in AC Milan’s Copa Americana soccer tournament.

The players were invited by the world renowned AC Milan soccer club.

The premiere tournament took take place during the week of October 7, and hosted International Milan Junior Elite teams, premiere Colombian youth teams, and selected participants of the Milan Junior Camps from North and South America.

Three of the five selected players attending the Copa Americana tournament reside in North Hempstead. They include Anthony Bileddo of Carle Place, Shawn Chacko of Manhasset, and Luca Lewis of Port Washington. The two other Long Island representatives were Jonathan Sinclair and Justin Weiss of Syosset.

In Colombia, the players shared experiences and stories while participating in cultural activities and training sessions with their AC Milan coaches. The week culminated with the Copa Americana, a 3-day soccer tournament where the Milan International Milan Junior Elite and Milan Junior Camp teams were challenged by the creative playing style of the South American teams.

During their stay in South America, the players were scouted by A.C. Milan and may be invited to participate in the Junior Milan Elite Program, the next step in the professional soccer recruiting process.

ISTEP is a Long Island Soccer academy whose mission is to identify youth players who have passion, potential and respect for the game of soccer and expose them to multi-level training programs that culminate in an international cultural experience of a lifetime.

The Town of North Hempstead expects to host more Milan Junior Camps next summer on Long Island so participants will once again have the chance to be invited to participate in international events.




Young athletes participate in June’s ISTEP Soccer Program at North Hempstead’s Tully Park.