A Head Coach in Paediatrics: Roberto Cevoli returns to Modena with San Marino national team and fans

The Head Coach of the San Marino National Team, Roberto Cevoli, returned to Modena for a major charitable initiative involving the staff, players and supporters of the Biancazzurri. The former Gialloblù defender, a key figure in the club’s rise from Serie C1 to Serie A and subsequent survival between 2001 and 2004, was a guest on Tuesday 29 April of the Mother-Child Department and the Paediatric Surgery, Paediatrics and Paediatric Oncology and Haematology units at the Policlinico di Modena for the delivery of a number of gifts for the children in hospital, for the “Giacomo Grossi” Hospital School of Istituto Comprensivo 6, and for the Spazio Incontro run by the Municipality’s Educational Services.

The initiative stemmed from synergy between the San Marino Football Federation (Federazione Sammarinese Giuoco Calcio) and Brigata Mai 1 Gioia, a supporters’ group which since 2012 has been the only organised fan base backing the National Team of the Titano. Born in a light-hearted spirit from a group of youngsters living between the provinces of Modena and Reggio, over the years it has become, thanks to social media, a national and then international point of reference, with around 90 members to date, coming not only from San Marino and Italy but also from Europe, Asia and South America. It was precisely from this group that, over the Christmas period, a spontaneous fundraising drive was launched, leading to the collection of money used to purchase games and educational materials for Spazio Incontro and the Hospital School. A curiosity: the donors from the Brigata who took part in the collection represent six different nationalities: Italy, San Marino, Germany, Austria, France and the Republic of Ireland. It is from the latter that Alan Herbert comes: he travelled to Modena from across the Channel specifically to attend the handover of the gifts together with his favourite heroes. For the Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena this was the first time it had hosted the Head Coach of a National Team inside its wards. Yesterday’s visit was another opportunity for the AOU of Modena and the Istituto per la Sicurezza Sociale of San Marino to further strengthen their existing ties, looking to extend their successful collaboration into additional areas.

Present at today’s presentation of the donation were the San Marino National Team Head Coach Roberto Cevoli, Team Manager Michele Raschi, Supporters Liaison Officer Andrea Zoppis, players Matteo Vitaioli (forward, 97 caps), Dante Rossi (defender, 36 caps) and Matteo Battistini (Under-21 international).

To welcome them on behalf of the Modena AOU were Administrative Director Cosimo Palazzo, Dr Pier Luca Ceccarelli (Director of Paediatric Surgery and of the Mother-Child Department), Professor Lorenzo Iughetti (Director of Paediatrics and Paediatric Oncology and Haematology), nursing coordinator Maria Cifuni, as well as a delegation of doctors and professionals from the departments involved. Representing the “Giacomo Grossi” Hospital School – IC6 Modena were teachers Maria Chiara Mori and Carmen Franzese, also on behalf of the Spazio Incontro of the Educational Services of the Municipality of Modena (Ivana Carri and Livia Grosso). Representing Brigata Mai 1 Gioia, in addition to the aforementioned Alan Herbert, were Daniele Dei, Andrea Saltari and Marco Brigoli.