THE STORY
#CREW
THE STORY
#CREW
WHO IS MADSkills?
Based in Toronto, MADSkills Entertainment Inc. is a team of professional freestyle soccer performers who specialize in the unique art of performance entertainment. The art of freestyle football demonstrates amazing tricks, acrobatic moves and incredible ball control with team choreography. MADSkills has taken the art of juggling a soccer ball and transformed it into a lifestyle. Each performance demonstrates the balance of a ball with passion for the game.
Performance entertainment has long been recognized in sports. Together, we’ve seamlessly combined the trifecta of sports performance entertainment: athleticism, skill and engagement. MADSkills delivery and approach has allowed audiences to be fully engaged, entertained and left wanting more.
THE CREW
THE CREW
“MADSkills has taken the art of juggling a soccer ball and transformed it into a lifestyle. ”
MEET RICHIE, WILLY AND PAUL
MEET RICHIE, WILLY AND PAUL
THE CREW
RICHIE & WILLY
FOUNDERS
Richie and Willy have been touted the pioneers of freestyle soccer in Canada for their dedication to founding the sport of freestyle soccer and elevating its popularity in the mid-90's to present time with their constant promotion and passion to demonstrate and perform their acrobatic tricks, insane ball control and MADSkills. Richie and Willy revolutionized the sport of freestyle soccer through the grassroots scene in Ontario, Canada, and created a massive youth following as they tailored live performances into one of kind shows that appealed to all audiences.
Richie and Willy began freestylin' together in 1990 in a twist of fate. Their high school soccer teams played each other in 1990. An argument on the field which resulted in both players being dismissed from the game. They would ultimately become close friends and worked part-time together while Willy continued to pursue a professional soccer career abroad in the U.S. and England, U.K.
MEET RICHIE, WILLY & PAUL
RICHARD LISSONE
Richard is a former Canadian professional soccer player who holds an Ontario Soccer Association Provincial 'B' Coaching Licence. He graduated from Seneca College of Applied Arts & Technology in 1996 and played on the varsity soccer team from 1993-1996.
WILLIAM GIUMMARRA
William is a Canadian former soccer player who played in the National Professional Soccer League, American Professional Soccer League, English third division, USL A-League, and Canadian Professional Soccer League.
PAUL SILVESTRONE
Paul started playing soccer at the age of four after watching his siblings play and he instantly fell in love with the game. He grew up playing grassroots soccer in Ontario and NCAA soccer in the United States on a scholarship. His need to adopt the skills and teamwork on the field was something he took with him as he began playing for leagues in the city. Freestyle was a way for him to stand out and fine tune his ball skills. This introduced him to Willy during one of his clinics, and his hard work and tenacity inevitably got him noticed.
There’s a connection that builds when you play a team sport – especially soccer. You have to trust your teammates and coach, understand plays and read what people are thinking to get the win. A connection that was undeniable between Paul and Willy.
Paul began coaching soccer for the MADSkills clinics and camps in 2008.