More than 2,300 people attended over the three days, while 900 young players, including 250 girls, took part in activities on the playground. Around 90% of them live in the Garbatella neighbourhood itself. Football really did return to the square. Those are just some of the figures behind the initiative organised by the FIGC and its partners, in collaboration with Roma Capitale’s Department for Sport, Tourism, Fashion and Major Events, as part of ‘Casa Azzurri on Tour’. A small-sided pitch was set up in Piazza Damiano Sauli under the slogan ‘Chi c’è c’è’, reflecting the spirit of free, informal play with no booking required and no need to arrive with a pre-arranged team.
Over the three days, 210 matches were played on the pitch, with 13 activity leaders on hand to entertain the children. Adults also had the chance to get involved, while the unofficial award for youngest player went to a three-year-old who took part in the playground activities just outside the main pitch. With the support of the FIGC Youth and School Sector and Rome’s Municipio VIII, the football schools involved were Roma Calcio Femminile, Romulea, OMC Roma and Eur Dabliu. They joined pupils from the ‘Piazza Damiano Sauli’ school, who took part in the opening morning attended by FIGC President Giovanni Malagò, FIGC Technical Director and Club Italia President Claudio Ranieri, Roma Capitale Councillor for Sport, Tourism, Fashion and Major Events Alessandro Onorato, and Municipio VIII President Amedeo Ciaccheri.
The support of the FIGC’s partners was also key to the success of the event, with Esselunga providing more than 1,000 snacks and over 3,000 giveaways handed out, helping make it a memorable experience for both the young participants and their families.