Youth Academy: "Food For Sport" event at Gewiss Stadium

On the morning of Tuesday 15th April, the Gewiss Stadium opened its doors for the "Food For Sport" event, a round table organised by Atalanta BC in collaboration with the Nerazzurri Youth Academy and some food sponsors, dedicated to the importance of proper nutrition and nutritional education for young athletes, with a particular focus on the impact of proper nutrition on athletic performance and general well-being.

In his opening remarks, Atalanta's Corporate General Director Andrea Fabris emphasised that "Alongside the sporting dimension, nutrition is a fundamental part of educating our young people to the best of our ability, and it is thanks to all our staff that we are able to fulfil this mission. Given that the Youth Academy is a cornerstone of the Club, and therefore of the Percassi family, to whom I would like to express my gratitude for their support of these initiatives, being able to address these issues represents a further step in the educational journey of our Youth Academy. First of all, I would like to thank all those who support us on this journey, starting with our partners here: Dole, Orobica Pesca and Zanetti, whose contribution has been fundamental to the realisation of all our projects".

Some of the city's affiliated clubs also took part in the "Food for Sport" event: Olimpia, Oratorio San Paolo, Villaggio degli Sposi, Malpensata, Oratorio Boccaleone, Ares Redona and Oratorio San Tomaso.
The event was also attended by experts in the field such as Silvia Marras, Atalanta's youth nutritionist, and Gianpaolo Bellini, the club's deputy head of competitive activities and a product of the Nerazzurri youth academy who holds the record for appearances in an Atalanta shirt, as well as some of the aforementioned sponsors Dole, Orobica Pesca and Zanetti.

After a welcome from Corporate General Director Fabris, the floor was given to Gianpaolo Bellini. In his speech, Bellini drew on his personal experience to emphasise that: "the mission of our youth academy has always been to 'train men first, then footballers.' A mission made possible by an approach that encompasses all the components of a sportsman's lifestyle. Therefore, an education that goes beyond football has always been one of the pillars of the Club's educational process. A path that has allowed me to grow not only on a footballing level, but above all on a personal level. Given the amount of information on nutrition that our young players come into contact with, today more than ever we have a responsibility not only to set a good example, but above all to support them every day with the right messages."

Silvia Marras then officially opened the session. The Nerazzurri Academy nutritionist said: "Working in a youth sector allows us to work with a very heterogeneous group of people, from the U7s to the Primavera team. The value of our work is inextricably linked to what is a lifelong journey, ideally starting at weaning. Investing in nutrition is a strategy that pays off in the long term and, given the central role of nutrition, whose function is complementary to that of training, it is fundamental to intervene to create healthy eating habits by working with families and coaches, the points of reference for athletes in their development. In this respect, and also to counteract the flood of information to which children are exposed, we have organised a series of training days and courses for parents. We aim to do the same with our affiliated clubs."

The microphone was then handed over to the spokespeople of the sponsors present at the event: Dole, Orobica Pesca and Zanetti. The first to speak was Cristina Bambini, Dole's Marketing Manager: "For Dole, food education and initiatives with young people are intertwined with the company's mission, which is to inspire consumers and help them make the right choices and adopt a healthy lifestyle from an early age. It is in this spirit that we started this partnership four years ago, with a particular focus on 'La Scuola allo Stadio' (School at the Stadium), an initiative that, thanks to its playful approach, conveys the message of the centrality of fresh fruit in everyday life in an appealing way".

Sirio Fiorese, Quality and Safety Manager at Orobica Pesca, and Delia Pirola, Quality and Safety Manager at Zanetti Formaggi, then took the floor. These two companies, although strongly consolidated locally, share a strong international vocation, to the point of becoming benchmarks in their respective sectors.

"In addition to its nutritional value, in particular its high biological value proteins, essential amino acids, micronutrients (vitamin D, selenium, iodine) and omega-3, which make it a cornerstone of a healthy diet, fish is characterised by its versatility, especially in relation to the different moments of sporting activity: blue fish, rich in omega-3 but more fatty, is recommended for recovery after sporting activity, while white fish, leaner and more digestible, is more suitable before exercise. Another key component is the quality not only of the finished product but also, and above all, of all the components in the supply chain."

The quality of a controlled supply chain was the element that bridged the gap with Delia Pirola's speech: "A leader in the export of hard cheeses such as Grana Padano and Parmigiano Reggiano, with a long history and a strong international presence, Zanetti Formaggi boasts an extremely rigorous production process in every single component, with a strong focus on the territorial dimension, to offer a product rich in fats, high quality proteins, trace elements, vitamins (especially B12 and A), calcium and phosphorus. Easily assimilated and very versatile, it is a true ally in a sportsman's diet."

The event concluded with a tour of the Gewiss Stadium and an aperitif in its Pitch Lounge, where guests enjoyed products from the participating companies, including Pizzium, which recently opened a new outlet at the stadium.

Check the highlights of the "Food For Sport" event at the link below!