One of the essential values of Rugby is teamwork. In fact, the 2nd edition of the Old Rugby Messina International Tournament was organized on this principle by the Old Rugby Messina 1980 ASD and by the entire Messina rugby community, with the support of the Department of Sport, Tourism and Entertainment of the Region Siciliana, the Municipal Administration of the City of Messina and many local entrepreneurs.
The event took place from 7 to 9 June 2024 at the “Arturo Sciavicco Stadium” in Messina, in the full spirit and tradition of Rugby.
The most prestigious teams from Sicily (Messina, Catania, Enna, Palermo and Syracuse), Calabria (Cosenza), Wales (Brecon RFC) and England (Topsham Rugby Old Boys) participated.
«For obvious reasons the players from Ukraine were not able to come as scheduled – say the President Danilo Grillo and the Vice President Avv. Vincenzo Ciraolo – but we continue to be twinned with them. We would like to specify that the event focuses on important values, which are the same as those of this wonderful sport, rugby: team play, respect for roles and the opponent, friendship, loyalty, sacrifice, conviviality , the Union. These are values fully shared between different cultures, despite the different history and traditions of our territories.”
The event included visits to the city, convivial meetings and musical entertainment, becoming representative in terms of development and tourist promotion of the Messina area. The guests visited the historic center, the Cathedral, Fort San Salvatore, the Regional Museum and concluded by immersing themselves in the waters of Capo Peloro. Even the evenings spent together were important moments of conviviality: good local food and live music in full team spirit.
The actual tournament was inaugurated in the early afternoon of Saturday 8 June by board member Alessandro Sparacino and ended with the classic third half.
«This year we were able to count on the support of the institutions and the support of many Messina entrepreneurs – specifies the board of Old Rugby Messina 1980 ASD. – Without their contribution it would not have been possible to organize such an important event. So thanks to the Hon. Elvira Amata Councilor for Tourism, Sport and Entertainment for the Sicily Region. Thanks to the Municipal Administration of the City of Messina, in the persons of Salvatore Mondello Deputy Mayor, Massimo Finocchiaro Councilor for Sport, Enzo Caruso Councilor for Culture. We also want to thank all the sponsors who supported the initiative because without their precious contribution it would have been impossible.”
On Saturday, a dutiful tribute from Old Rugby Messina 1980 ASD and the entire Messina rugby community with the delivery of celebratory shirts and souvenir plaques to the representatives of the Regional and city administrations and to all the team presidents:
– GIANNI SARACENO CAPTAIN OF TRINACRIA AND PRESIDENT OF THE REGIONAL COMMITTEE FIR
– LUIGI LEONETTI CAPTAIN MASTINI OLD RUGBY COSENZA
– ALFONSO RAJOLA CAPTAIN OLD CUS CATANIA
– IGNAZIO BASTA IS THE OLDEST ON THE FIELD – JUST TURNED 77
– RICH WILLIAMS CAPTAIN TOPSHAM OLD RUGBY
– ALAN TAYLOR CAPTAIN BRECON BAA – BAAS
– GARETH OWENS PRESIDENT BRECON BAA-BAAS
– SALVO COMPANY PRESIDENT PALERMO OLD RUGBY
