The Azzurrini Academy project is an innovative initiative that aims to overcome the barriers of diversity. Through the use of new technologies, such as mental robots, 3D videos and drones, young players will be able to develop their cognitive abilities and improve their football skills. In addition, augmented reality will be used to help the kids recognize and manage emotions, so they can face challenges on the field with greater awareness.
The honorary president, Zambrotta, decided to support and promote this project because he believes in social and sports inclusion. During his career, he learned that valuing diversity is a fundamental resource for a successful team. Vincenzo Saladino, head of the technical area, emphasized that during training he focuses on the potential of the boys, rather than on their shortcomings. Thanks to their passion, they discover the beauty of transforming their limitations into opportunities for growth.
Samuele Robbioni, head of the psycho-pedagogical area, highlighted the importance of accompanying the kids in sports, also welcoming their families. Often these families feel alone, but thanks to this project they have the opportunity to rediscover the beauty of seeing their children with a new look. The Azzurrini Academy does not focus on the diagnosis of the kids, but on their desire to grow and improve.
In conclusion, this project is an excellence in the territory, which combines social and sports inclusion. Thanks to new technologies and the positive approach of the coaches, young players will be able to overcome the barriers of diversity and develop their football skills. It is a wonderful story, similar to our lake, which deserves to be shared and told.
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Scuola Calcio Eracle, DiCOmo SRL & Milan Club Cernobbio hanno annunciato oggi, durante la conferenza stampa, la seconda edizione del MEMORIAL FRANCO CHIGNOLI; un torneo internazionale FIGC di categoria “Pulcini II anno”. Il torneo, la cui prima edizione è stata nel 2022, nasce come giornata di sport e beneficenza; l’anno scorso sono stati donati 4mila euro, raccolti dagli sponsor e dagli organizzatori della manifestazioni, al reparto oncologico dell’ospedale parigino Salpetrière, stesso nosocomio che ha avuto in curo il Sig. Franco Chignoli. Il Memorial, ad ingresso libero, si terrà il 24 giugno a partire dalle ore 10:00 presso il campo sportivo Eracle di Casnate con Bernate (CO). Tra le squadre giovanili che scenderanno in campo ci saranno; AC Milan, Juventus FC, Como 1907, FC Lugano, Eracle FC, U.S.D Opitergina, U.S. Aldini e Cimiano Calcio. Oltre lo sport, durante la giornata sarà possibile godersi un aperitivo od un panino all’aperto, in compagnia di leggende del calcio come Gianluca Zambrotta e altri campioni, che saranno a disposizione per foto e autografi.
The donations collected during the event will be divided between the following associations:
The project “Gli Azzurrini di Yousport” was born following the meeting between YouSport and Azzurrini Academy, which operates in Como and its province and follows children with various cognitive disabilities, including those on the autism spectrum, and introduces them to sports activities through an innovative method and the use of new technologies. Today the Academy follows various groups of kids, collaborating with local neuropsychiatric centers and relying on local sports centers.
MILAN – An afternoon dedicated to sports, music and solidarity: great public success, with the participation of over 500 people, for the presentation of the project “Azzurrini di YouSport”, which took place on Saturday 11 March at the Teatro Ciro Menotti in Milan. The initiative that will start soon in the capital city of Milan, aims to promote the social inclusion of children with cognitive disabilities and on the autism spectrum through football and the adoption of new technologies.
Opening the event were YouSport president Claudio Ceriani and Samuele Robbioni, sports and clinical psychopedagogist and member of the YouSport Scientific Committee, who introduced the Milanese amateur sports association, whose mission is to create a model of sports center based on the inclusion of categories today considered different or fragile. A community of champions of change that excludes no one.
Then, world champions Gianluca Zambrotta and Giuseppe Bergomi took to the stage. In dialogue with journalist Anna Billò they illustrated to the public the birth, the characteristics of the “Azzurrini” project. There were also moments of leisure and fun with the telling of unpublished anecdotes about their career.
To conclude the afternoon, the “Allegro Moderato” orchestra performed a concert of symphonic classical music, with a selection of pieces including Peer Gynt by E. Grieg, La Gazza ladra by Rossini and the Ode to Joy by Beethoven. The orchestra, composed of musicians with mental and physical disabilities and professional musicians, brought an emotional and evocative performance to the Menotti Theater, acting as a “soundtrack” to this event, capable of uniting music, sport and solidarity.
“Telling YouSport in front of an audience of 500 people was simply a blow to the heart – explains Claudio Ceriani – Before the event, the tension was sky-high like at every match before the kick-off, but once we “got on the field” it transformed into emotion and enthusiasm, and made us understand how special and appreciated what we do is. This encourages us to do our best every day to break down every barrier. A special thanks goes to Anna Billò, Gianluca Zambrotta and Beppe Bergomi who accompanied us in the presentation of this project, as true champions as they are! A special round of applause also goes to the Allegro Moderato orchestra, which gave us a unique and engaging moment”
The “Azzurrini di YouSport” project was born from the meeting of two entities: the Milanese association YouSport, whose mission is to create a model of sports center based on the inclusion of categories today considered different or fragile, and the Azzurrini Academy of Como, created to promote sports activity among children with cognitive disabilities thanks to the help of new technologies. Such as mind robots, used to develop and strengthen the computational sphere; 3D videos and drone shots, to simplify the schemes proposed by the coach; augmented reality to teach how to recognize and manage emotions before they take over. This cutting-edge method, thanks to the “Azzurrini” project, will now also be exported to the city of Milan, where the YouSport association operates, combining the strategy and territorial experience of the Milanese association, with the innovative model of the Academy.
The benefit that physical activity can bring to people with disabilities was also confirmed by research conducted by ISTAT in 2019: physical activity and sport contribute to the development of social relationships with a positive rehabilitative effect on health. Yet only 9.1% of people with disabilities in Italy practice sports, compared to 36.6% of the rest of the population. Although the importance of sport is now widely recognized, much still needs to be done to increase the share of people with limitations who dedicate themselves to this activity. This is precisely the direction of the new YouSport project: taking to the field to overcome the idea of diversity as a barrier. This is where the idea of an inclusive football practice was born, which aims to contribute to the improvement of the psycho-physical conditions of children, strengthening their awareness, self-esteem, health conditions and promoting the construction of a group identity.
Accompanying Eracle Calcio in a great mission: educating children through the values of sport. This is what pushed Olivier Chignoli, owner and founder of the DiCOmo company, to embrace the cause of the young football school, affiliated with the Milan Academy, and operating in the Como area.
Hosted by the new Eracle Casnate Sports Center, Eracle is supported by Gianluca Zambrotta, a footballer who has worn the shirts of Milan and Juventus, among others, as well as becoming World Champion with Italy in 2006. A clean and important face of his, which does nothing but give greater prominence and importance to the football school, whose main purpose is to help young people grow through football, first and foremost by educating them to respect others with a key word: humility.
An ambitious project, embraced with conviction by entrepreneur Olivier Chignoli, who is very active in the Como area. The importance of social values and attention to the young people of the Como province pushed him to sign a partnership with Eracle Calcio, which gladly welcomed him into its family.
The result of the credibility that Chignoli has acquired over the years, also by managing the company DiCOmo, founded in 2008 and active in the world of furniture and furnishings. With over 10 employees (it is based in Cernobbio), this interesting reality connects entrepreneurs from Veneto and Pesaro with large-scale international furniture distribution.
Chignoli’s goal, together with Zambrotta, who dedicates much of his time to Eracle Calcio, is to further grow the school, which currently consists of 210 children. Attention to social issues will always remain one of their cornerstones: the project ‘Gli azzurrini di Zambrotta’, dedicated, for now, to 8 autistic children, will soon be expanded. Supported in many areas of their lives, they have made great strides forward in terms of relationships and schooling. A great satisfaction for those who believe in the mission of Eracle Calcio.
…This is a project to introduce these kids to inclusive physical activity, which, thanks to the support of EduDigital, uses new technologies to reinforce the skills acquired on the playing field and to improve the management of emotions.