"La Scuola allo Stadio": Edition 23 is here!

On the morning of Wednesday, September 24, the Bergamo Stadium press room hosted the official presentation of the "La Scuola Allo Stadio", Edition 23. This long-running socio-educational project, conceived by educational psychologist Lucia Castelli and Stefano Bonaccorso, Technical Director of Atalanta’s Pre-Academy Youth Sector, is promoted and organised by the Club. Targeted mainly at primary and lower secondary school students, the initiative has been recognised for its strong educational value by the National Observatory on Sporting Events of the Italian Ministry of the Interior.

Over the first 22 editions, the project has reached: 32,310 students from Bergamo and surrounding areas, 2,560 teachers, 200+ university students.
During the event, the winning schools from the 22nd edition were awarded, and the 23rd edition was officially presented. The new programme will feature nine sessions spread across the 2025/26 sporting season: September 26, October 9, 19 and 24; November 14; February 27 and March 13, 26, 27.

The 23rd edition of the "La Scuola allo Stadio" initiative was officially launched by, in order of appearance, Corporate General Director Andrea Fabris and Head of Youth Academy Roberto Samaden. In his opening speech, Fabris conveyed greetings from Atalanta’s top management and emphasised the symbolic value of the setting in which the event was held: We are in Atalanta’s home, a place that represents not only our Club, but also the city and its people. This stadium has a soul, and that makes it the perfect place to host an initiative dedicated to you, the students".

Addressing the young students in attendance, while also thanking the local institutions for their ongoing support the General Director underlined the deeper meaning of the initiative: “This project aims to give you practical tools to grow. It’s important for us that this is also a moment of lightness and sharing, because learning is essential, but having fun matters too.” He closed his remarks by thanking the staff who have supported the initiative over the years with dedication and passion, and offered a special word of appreciation for the teachers: “We are well aware of the responsibility you carry every day. Educating is a demanding challenge, but a fundamental one. We want to keep standing by your side”.

The floor was then given to Roberto Samaden, who highlighted the Club’s commitment to its social mission, extending beyond the sporting context: “Our role is not limited to developing those who wear the Atalanta shirt. It is equally about engaging the wider youth community and building strong partnerships with schools and institutions. For us, this is not only a responsibility, but also a source of pride”.

Samaden went on to underline the significance of La Scuola allo Stadio as a key element in Atalanta’s educational framework, together with the Premio Brembo: “These two projects represent pillars of a vision in which Atalanta is committed not only to forming footballers, but also to shaping individuals. They stand as examples of excellence, not only within our Club, but within the broader national football landscape. This excellence is made possible thanks to the values of the Bergamo region, where a culture of collaboration is deeply rooted”.

The event saw the participation of numerous guests and local authorities, including Andrea Sandroni, Chief of Staff at the Bergamo Police Headquarters; Captain Massimiliano Corbo, Commander of the Carabinieri Company of Bergamo; Claudio Bolandrini from the Provincial Council of Bergamo; Daniela Noris, representing the Diocese of Bergamo’s Pastoral Office for Schools; Ilena Fontana from the Territorial School Office of Bergamo; Massimo Giupponi, Director General of ATS Bergamo and Gaetano Paternò, President of CSI Bergamo. Also present were representatives from the FIGC Youth and School Sector: Massimo Mapelli, National Technical Development Coordinator; Giorgio Fabris, Regional Coordinator for Lombardy; and Federico Volonterio, Delegate for School Activities in the region.

A special thanks for their support was extended to the project’s sponsors: New Balance, Lactis and Wüber.

The presentation also provided an opportunity to celebrate some of the best work created by students during the previous edition. Awards were handed out to: Class 1C from the Lower Secondary School of Cene; Classes 2A and 2B from Torre Boldone; Class 2B from Pradalunga; Classes 5A and 5B from the Primary School Istituto Sacro Cuore in Villa d’Adda; Class 2F from Rubini School in Romano di Lombardia; and Class 4C from the Ravasio Primary School in Grumello del Monte.