Laureus Sport for Good Foundation

NATIONAL
FOUNDATION
REPORT
18
Following the appointment of a new chairman,
general directors and new members of staff,
Fondazione Laureus Italia structured itself on
two different levels: corporate governance
and the strategic planning of projects.
The involvement of Fondazione Laureus Italia in the project Wheelchair
Hockey project may have come to an end in 2007, but two new projects
were started: La Palla Storta and Polisportiva Laureus. Both projects offer
activities from Monday to Friday in an effort to reach as wide a number of
participants as possible. Expert trainers combined with educational tutors
ensure a balanced approach. The proportion of under-age youth and
adults is 15–20 to one. Monitoring by a group of psychologists complete
the programmes, guaranteeing support in understanding and managing
the dynamics of the group, as well as those of the individual. Moreover,
the value of the positive principles of sport, such as the ability to face
limits, keep commitments, respect rules, improve communication and
understand group spirit are reinforced, resulting in increased self-esteem
among the participants.
La Palla Storta uses the game of rugby as a tool to promote wellbeing
and social integration among boys coming from the outskirts of Naples and
from the Juvenile Penitentiary of Nisida. The project was inaugurated on
5th April 2007 in Naples, during a press conference in the City Hall, held by
mayor Rosa Russo Iervolino. Two Laureus World Sports Academy members,
Sean Fitzpatrick and Hugo Porta, were also present. Later that day, on a
fi eld close to the Juvenile Penitentiary of Nisida, Mauro Bergamasco and
the Italian rugby team joined the two Academy members in a game of
rugby with boys involved in the project.
Polisportiva Laureus arranges sporting activities such as rugby, volleyball,
basketball and soccer at the Sport Centre Saini in Milan for boys and girls
who come from urban areas and have a high risk of social exclusion. On
25th November 2007, Chairman of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation,
Edwin Moses, presented the project to the press and television broadcast.
He was then joined by Friend & Ambassador Filippo Volandri and they
joined in some games with the project’s participants.
Italian style magazine Monsieur organised a gala dinner at the end of
November 2007, where Fondazione Laureus Italia was the benefi ciary of a
charity lottery. Founding Partners Mercedes-Benz and IWC Schaffhausen
donated a Smart Car and two Pilot watches to the cause. Thanks to the
support of Edwin Moses and Friends & Ambassadors Filippo Volnadri and
Filippo Magnini, the evening was a great opportunity to raise the awareness
of the daily activities of the Foundation in Italy.
L A U R E U S S P O R T F O R G O O D F O U N D A T I O N A N N U A L R E V I E W