September often marks the start of new adventures. For the youngest children, it coincides with their first day at school, an experience that marks the beginning of their journey. At this very special time, FC Lugano has chosen to engage with the local community through an original project: throughout the month, players from the first team visited all 27 Year 1 classes in Lugano, taking part in PE lessons alongside the pupils.
SPORT AND VALUES
The initiative, approved by the DECS and Lugano City Council, aptly named ‘First Day of School’ and developed in collaboration with the Lugano School District, was created with the aim of instilling in children important sporting values such as respect, team spirit, fair play and inclusion. Each session lasted around 45 minutes and was co-led by the bianconeri players alongside the PE teachers, featuring games inspired by the Club’s football academy activities and designed to involve all the pupils.
To round off the experience, each pupil received a special FC Lugano medal featuring a QR code granting access to various rewards: an official First Team shirt, an FC Lugano membership valid for the entire season, and four tickets to a match at Cornaredo to enjoy with their family. A gesture designed to strengthen the bond with the bianconeri colours and bring the younger generations closer to the life of the Club.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE INITIATIVE
A project that Martin Blaser, Vice-President and CEO of F.C. Lugano SA, describes as ‘strategic’, born from the idea of strengthening the bond between the Club, schools and the local community in the future. ‘This cannot be a one-off initiative,’ he explained, ‘but rather a programme to be continued over the coming years, with the aim of instilling values and fostering a sense of belonging.’
An opportunity which, as Fabio Valsangiacomo, headteacher of the Lugano School, emphasised, enriches the school with content that naturally intertwines with that of sport, such as teamwork, discipline and the quality of life that physical activity brings.
For his part, coach Mattia Croci-Torti approached the experience with great enthusiasm: “It was wonderful to visit primary schools and share FC Lugano’s values with the children – from friendship and fun to the importance of sharing both victories and defeats together.” Captain Mattia Bottani was also deeply moved by the experience: “The children were happy, and it was special for us too. Sport fosters togetherness, teamwork and joy, and seeing the children learn and smile was the greatest reward.”
Through the ‘First Day of School’ project, FC Lugano is strengthening its social role and its ties with the local community, supporting the youngest children through a crucial stage in their development and sharing with them a passion for football, in the hope that the initiative can be repeated in the future, subject to the necessary and appropriate adjustments, agreed upon with all parties involved.