Pistoia Sport discovering Northern Pistoia

Growing up in Northern Pistoia: from the Football School to the first team. And the redevelopment project of the sports facility…

Never like in this historical moment the topic regarding the importance of young people in football is current. Especially in Italy we often hear about how more quality raw materials are needed, about how it is becoming increasingly necessary to focus on kids. Pistoia Sport then set itself the objective of providing an overview of the youth sectors present in our province, going on site and collecting the testimonies of those who are part of the various realities analyzed by us. Our journey, which began with Meridien, with Montecatini Murialdo, with Olimpia Quarrata and with Giovani Granata, continues with the Pistoia North.

AN IMPORTANT RESTYLING IN THE CONSTRUCTION SITE

Pistoia Nord will take care of presenting the reality Francesco Paoletti, vice president of the club. «I play the role of supervisortrying every day to make things right and allowing the kids to carry out the sporting activity in the best possible way. Furthermore, my commitment and that of the entire club also consists in maintaining the area in which we train in perfect condition, as it is large and in need of attention. In this regard, I can say that in our plans there is also amajor redevelopment. The project, in fact, was developed several years ago, as was the plan economic-financial and the “financing project”, presented to the Municipality of Pistoia to ensure that a tender is implemented. This project involves the construction of a new “club house”a new block of locker roomsboth for players and referees, aInfirmarya nine-a-side field – illuminated and in synthetic – and one to five – equipped with a ball for the winter months -, in addition to the renovation of the one on the ground».

Furthermore, one of the company’s flagships is undoubtedly the affiliation relationship with Empoli. “The latter he gives us a great hand – explains vice president Paoletti -, often being present on the field together with our coaches. The exchange is very profitable, both when they come here to Pistoia and when we go to Monteborowhere the Biancocelesti organize specific events. These internships are especially fundamental for students instructorswho by doing so can update themselves, study and learn from extremely qualified people».

Regardless of the projects that Pistoia Nord has at stake, one thing above all is fundamental for the Giallorossi, and that is the growth path that is guaranteed to its members. «Our philosophy is based on virtuous path that, leaving since childhoodgives our kids the opportunity to grow in this club, reaching the top over the years Juniors and the first team. This supply chain allows us to build agroup identity very strong, which in parallel generates attachment to our colors and desire to continue their career wearing the same shirt. Net of sporting results, the important thing is to give all footballers the opportunity to play, doing sports and having fun. We certainly hope to be able to “give birth” to some future champions – concludes Paoletti -, but already the fact of giving life to a structured reality, healthy and educational for us it is a good achievement.”

THE PERFECT EXAMPLE: FROM THE FIELD TO THE BENCH

However, that supply chain described to us by vice-president Paoletti does not only apply to footballers. The attachment to the shirt, the desire to grow professionally and humanly in Northern Pistoia also affects who and how Giulio Capecchi, he moved from the field to the bench. The young goalkeeper of the first team, in fact, for a year now has also undertaken the coaching pathbecoming instructor for 2017 and 2018. «For me this was an easy choice – explains Capecchi -, I couldn’t have asked for a better place to start this new journey. The starting point is obviously the love of football, not surprisingly I’ve been playing for almost twelve years. To this, as my studies demonstrate, is also combined a great passion for motor sciencesthe same one that gave rise to the desire to try to train».

Is the role of goalkeeper or coach better? For Giulio Capecchi it is a tough fight. «They are two completely opposite worlds. Inside the green rectangle, in fact, you are the protagonist, while outside of it you have to leave the role of main actor to others. In my opinion, however, they are both extremely exciting, which repay you for your efforts. One of the greatest satisfactions, for example, is see the children’s smiles during training. If they don’t have fun, I don’t have fun either. In everyday life, then, together with them we try the first courses basic motor patterns, since, being so small, we have to work on essential things. An element that I never want to be missing is theeducation…playing football, in fact, must also be one gym for lifein which we grow as people.”