Atalanta at the Brembate Sports Centre Dedication to Gianni Doneda
The facility hosts the Club's women's and pre-competitive youth teams
The municipal Sports Centre in Brembate was officially named after Gianni Doneda, a prominent figure in the local community, during a ceremony held on Saturday afternoon. The facility, which saw the installation of a new artificial turf pitch for its 11-a-side football field over the summer and also features a nine-a-side and a five-a-side pitch, hosts training sessions and matches for several of Atalanta's pre-competitive Academy teams and all of the Club's women's youth teams.
"We have the pleasure and honour of hosting Atalanta's Academy teams, with whom we have established an important partnership. Atalanta represents excellence in Italian football, and its presence brings further prestige to this sports centre," said Brembate Mayor Luca Rosa during his opening address.
Atalanta Head of Youth Development Roberto Samaden then took the floor: "First of all, I would like to convey the greetings of President Antonio Percassi and CEO Luca Percassi. On their behalf and on behalf of the entire Club, I would like to thank the Mayor, the Councillor, the President of HServizi and everyone who has given us such an incredible welcome since last year.
"From my very first day at Atalanta, I have never seen this sports centre stand still. I have always seen it improving. I want to emphasise once again the welcome we have received from everyone involved. From the very beginning, they have been outstanding not only in making the facilities available to us, but also in the kindness and willingness to help they have shown us.
"This has become our main centre for pre-competitive youth football and women's football, and everyone here truly feels at home. It is just a few hundred metres from our own training ground, our home. We are therefore deeply grateful to everyone who makes sure our boys and girls have the best possible environment, while also providing comfortable spaces for their families as they watch their children play."
Following his speech, Samaden, accompanied by Gianpaolo Bellini and Ivan Pelizzoli, presented the Mayor with a Giorgio Scalvini shirt. Scalvini is another product of the Nerazzurri Academy who has gone on to establish himself as an important member of the First Team.