PLAY! partner Asd Margheritta Sport e Vita Basked has kick-started the implementation of the first round of the project’s pilot years in Margherita di Savoia, Italy, running from January to May 2018.

The first steps were taken still in 2017, when in December, the Italian partner selected the 10 Youth Active Groups (YAGs) that will, throughout the period, help implement the sport sessions at the club. 

The sessions will combine the use of basketball and music following a well-established socio-educational model to further learning motivation, intellectual, social and personal development of children. The sessions are aimed at children and teenagers between seven and 13 years old.

Through this methodology the pilot aims to tackle failure at school, reduce dropout rates and increase sport opportunities for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

Selected YAGs include youth and grassroots coaches from across the region: Mattia di Pace, David diLeo, Elisa Matera, Armando Radeglia, Michele Di Gennaro, Giuseppe Casamassima, Rossella Metta, Umberto Gramazio,  Danilo Lamacchia and physical education teacher Felice Carano.