Rugby, sharing and lots of fun in the memory of Marco Mucchi: the 13th “Città di Modena – 12th Memorial Mucchi” minirugby tournament was a celebration of sport on the fields and in the stands, with the Luciano Zanetti stadium in Collerola once again sold out.
Tackles, runs, tries and third half non-stop at the event organized by Modena Rugby 1965 and sponsored by the Municipality of Modena, the Emilia-Romagna Region and the Modena Bar Association, which saw 900 children play, divided into the Under categories 6, Under 8, Under 10 and Under 12. Together with the hosts Generaliviaemiliaest, Rugby Carpi, Highlanders Formigine, Rugby Bologna 1928, Valorugby Young, Rugby Parma Young, Le Viole Amatori Parma, Querce Rugby, Amatori Union were present in Collerola & Minirugby Milan, Rugby Milan, Rugby Parco Sempione, Rugby Viadana, Rugby Etruria Piombino, Livorno Rugby, Petrarca Rugby Junior and Gispi Rugby Prato, the only club present at all editions of the event.
The clement weather facilitated the organizational machine led by the President of the Organizing Committee Alessandro Mazzidirector of an orchestra of 200 volunteers: “It was a great party and the team of volunteers responded great once again, everything worked well and the confirmation comes directly from the opinions of the hosted companies. The technical level on the pitch was high, we are sorry not to have achieved a podium with any of our teams, but it is confirmation that the clubs that participated were very well equipped.”. Satisfaction also on the part of Federico Freddicoordinator of operational areas: “The volunteers are the first to have fun during the Tournament and I think this makes the difference. Many people who make themselves available and lend their expertise not only on the day of the event, but also in the months preceding it. Without them all this wouldn’t be possible and it’s them we need to thank first. Thanks also to the teams who participated and see you on May 25, 2025 for the next edition, in which we want to confirm ourselves, if not improve ourselves further.”
Before the finals, the awards ceremony for Lupetti Prime Mete and Under 6 at the hands of the national team hooker and assistant coach of the Giacobazzi scrum Luca Bigi, then the extraordinary performance of Mameli’s anthem in Italian sign language by the “Voci bianca” choir , white hands” of the “Daughters of Providence” nursery and primary school in Carpi.
At the end of the tournament, Rugby Milano in Under 8, Livorno in Under 10 and Parma Young in Under 12 rejoice. Rugby Livorno interrupts the hegemony of Milan and wins the Superclub award, receiving the trophy from the Sports Councilor of the Municipality of Modena Grazia Baracchi. In the Under 8 category, Alessandro Lupi, CEO of Primamec, awarded the first prize to Rugby Milano, which beat Livorno in the final, while Rugby Sempione took the lowest step of the podium. In the Under 10s it was Pierluigi Bancale, General Agent of Agenzia Generali Via Emilia Est, who rewarded the teams: first the children of Livorno, who got the better of Amatori Milano in the final act, third place went to the children of Parma Young. Success for Parma Young in Under 12: the ducals beat Milan in the final and were rewarded by the lawyer Roberto Mariani, president of the Modena Bar Association, third place for Petrarca. Tommaso Mucchi, son of Marco, together with Andrea Cuoghi, former Giacobazzi player and current scrum half of Rugby Lyons, presented the personal awards, intended for players who have distinguished themselves on the pitch with courage and generosity. The awards went to Alessandro Pesce of Rugby Milano in the Under 8 category, in the Under 10 category to Tommaso Corsini of the Formigine Highlanders and in the Under 12 category to Pietro Nicoletto of Petrarca Padova.
