Fifty years of volleyball
libertas party
libertas party
Fifty years of volleyball in Bastia Umbra: celebration of successes and passion
Fifty years of volleyball – Libertas Volleyball of Bastia Umbra celebrated its fiftieth anniversary with an event full of emotions and memories, held on May 19th in the historic Church of Santa Croce. Stefano Dionigi, one of the pioneers of volleyball in the city, gave life to this event, telling the story of a club that has united athletes and enthusiasts with dedication and passion since 1973.
The ceremony, which began at 10.30am, saw a large participation of former players, coaches, managers and friends of Bastiolo volleyball. The Church of Santa Croce was enriched by a photographic exhibition curated by Claudia Ciacci, historic Libertas athlete, who collected numerous visual memories of the team. The exhibition offered a glimpse into the highlights of the club’s fifty years, displaying historic shirts, medals and trophies.
Pallavolo Libertas was born thanks to the initiative of Eugenio Marcomigni, first president, and Luigi Cianfrocca, carabiniere serving in Bastia Umbra. The first matches were played outdoors, in a pioneering spirit. When Cianfrocca left the technical leadership, Eraldo Martelli, a young ISEF graduate, took command, building a team with kids from local middle schools. Thanks to the sponsorship of the Ferrata brothers with the Yves Saint Laurent brand, the team reached the national Serie C1. Unforgettable managers of that period include Alessandro Migni, Tommaso Sulpizi, Luigi Travaglia, Gianluca Persichini and Elvio Guerciolini.
In 1981 the women’s sector of the company was born, attracting numerous athletes. One of the most popular initiatives of this period was “Volley Primavera”, a minivolleyball event for elementary school children, which took place outdoors in Viale Umbria and then in Viale Giontella, involving around 300 children every first Sunday in June.
Over time, the men’s sector of Libertas was sold to other companies, until the arrival of Gino Sirci’s Sir Volley, thanks to the initiative of Luciano Vacca. The team, playing at the Palazzetto dello Sport in Viale Giontella, reached Serie B before moving to Perugia and becoming a successful phenomenon, champion of Italy and the world.
The women’s sector of Libertas continued to grow, reaching the national Serie B1 in 2012 with the sponsorships of Passeri Edilizia and then Edilrossi, thanks to the commitment of managers such as Antonello Polticchia and Ivo Fongo. Numerous coaches have succeeded one another at the helm of Libertas, testifying to a climate of respect and collaboration.
Despite the closure of the Libertas club in 2014, women’s volleyball in Bastia Umbra continues to thrive with a new club led by current president Fabio Coraggi, who took over from Odoardo Stangoni. Giorgio Giulietti played a crucial role in this transition phase. Currently, the team plays in the regional Serie C and is playing in the play-off finals to move up to the national Serie B, with a thriving youth sector that continues to carry on the city’s volleyball tradition.
During the event, introduced by Fabrizio Guerrini, various protagonists in the history of Bastiola volleyball shared anecdotes and memories. The mayor of Bastia attended the event, while Gino Sirci, president of Sir Volley, showed his team’s championship cup, underlining the importance of the history of Bastia volleyball in the current success.
The event concluded with a convivial lunch, attended by around 80 people, further strengthening the sense of community and belonging. This celebration was not only a tribute to the successes of the past, but also an opportunity to relive timeless emotions and look with hope to future goals.
