With the conclusion of the last youth and minirugby tournaments, the competitive season of Rugby Sondalo comes to an end. Enzo Maffi, inexhaustible driving force and president of the Rugby section of the Polisportiva Sondalo Sport, takes stock of a challenging but satisfying year.
“It was a long and tiring season, but also full of satisfactions. As Rugby Sondalo we chose to give priority to youth activity, continuing the collaboration with the other two Valtellina clubs: Sondrio and Delebio. From this collaboration, in the 23/23 season 24, three franchises were formed: Under 18, which participated in the regional championship with the name Rugby Sondrio; Under 16, in the regional championship with the name Rugby Sondalo; of rugby Seven, with the name Rugby Sondrio, but pleasantly renamed by the boys as SonDralo. This team provided the greatest satisfaction by placing first in 8 out of 10 tournaments in 15-a-side rugby and in 7 out of 8 tournaments in rugby Seven, concluding with a fantastic third place at the Rovato National Tournament without defeats.”
Speaking of the minirugby sector, Maffi underlines: “Each club managed its own kids. We set up Under 8, 10 and 12, involving more than 30 children who participated in 14 tournaments in Lombardy, concluding with the party of the prestigious National Tournament of Treviso. Despite the abolition of results and rankings, I like to underline the performances of our little athletes: Under 8 obtained 1st place at the Ambivere tournament, 2nd place at the Monza tournaments and at the 14 Cime di Lecco Trophy, and 3rd place at the Città di Lecco Tournament; Under 10 took 1st place at the Rogno, Monza and Ambivere tournaments; Under 12 ranked 3rd at the 14 Cime di Lecco Trophy, with coach Patrik De Piaz awarded as best coach at the Città di Lecco Tournament.”
One regret for the season was not being able to organize a tournament on the Sondalo field: “We are too far away and the various Lombard clubs do not face such a long journey. This year we traveled more than 4,000 km to participate in the tournaments, with early rising hours to six in the morning. The primary objective for next year will be to have our kids play at home, which hasn’t happened since 2016.”
The synergy between the companies is fundamental for Maffi: “Without this collaboration, we risk nullifying the work done over the years. It is a long-term project that will require improvements and changes, but it is the only way forward. We will soon meet with the other Valtellina clubs to plan the next season.”
As regards the organization of the Club, Maffi highlights the importance of the collaboration of coaches, companions, parents, grandparents and family members to organize the weekly training trips to Sondrio. “We have activated the educational rugby course for children aged 5 to 12 to introduce them to competitive activity and many of our technicians have participated in federal refresher courses.”
The relationship with the territory is another strong point: “Collaboration with schools is fundamental. This year we involved around sixty pupils from the Bianzone Primary School and 25 pupils from the Istituto Comprensivo Grosio, Grosotto, Sondalo in the national School project Attiva Junior. We also participate in the Vivi lo Sport event organized by the Municipality of Tirano, where over 400 primary school pupils tried various sports, including rugby, much appreciated by teachers and parents.”
Rugby Sondalo is also involved in social issues, joining the initiative supported by the FIR to give rugby to the kids at the Joy Summer Camp in Bormio, a solidarity project promoted by Sport Senza Frontiere.
To meet the financial commitments, Maffi thanks the sponsors and the children’s families. “Special thanks go to parents, grandparents and family members, always ready to lend a hand and capable of cementing a group that is like a big family.”
Looking to the future, Maffi announces: “We are considering giving continuity to the work carried out during the year also in the summer period, organizing training sessions and stages. The second Rugby Camp CHJ 2024 will take place from 7 to 13 July at the Cittadella dello Sport in Sondalo , with around 60 kids already registered. The camp will be organized with the support of rugby professionals and will include particular attention to injury prevention in the development of talent.”
