The Master Coaches Program comes to a close at the New Balance Arena
A fitting setting for the final session and diploma ceremony
The 2026 edition of the Master Coaches Program, Atalanta's educational initiative dedicated to the development and continuous professional growth of youth academy coaches, concluded on Monday, 15 June.
The final session took place in the conference hall of the New Balance Arena, where participants attended a keynote speech delivered by international trainer Patrizia Belotti on leadership and interpersonal skills, two increasingly vital elements of the modern coach's role.
The evening marked the culmination of a journey that began in April with the Foundation Course, an online programme focused on the pre-competitive and competitive age groups. Coaches who successfully completed the course progressed to the second stage of the Master, choosing from three specialist pathways: Football School, Pre-Competitive and Competitive.
The programme also featured two intensive training days at the Centro Sportivo Bortolotti in Zingonia, where classroom sessions and practical on-pitch activities combined to provide participants with a comprehensive learning experience tailored to their area of specialisation.
The educational pathway was further enriched by two cross-disciplinary sessions shared by all participants. The first, held online, featured Olympic champion, psychologist and educator Josefa Idem, while the second brought the group together at the New Balance Arena for the closing session with Patrizia Belotti.
Following the final session, participants enjoyed an exclusive tour of the stadium before gathering for a networking reception in one of the New Balance Arena's hospitality lounges. The 2026 Master Coaches Program officially concluded with the presentation of diplomas by Stefano Bonaccorso, Technical Director of Atalanta's Pre-Competitive Youth Academy Programme, marking the successful completion of the participants' educational journey.
The Master Coaches Program once again proved to be a valuable opportunity for learning, professional development and the exchange of ideas, designed to share Atalanta's methodology, expertise and values while supporting the growth of coaches and promoting the educational and sporting philosophy that underpins the Club's Youth Academy.