The countdown is over, Hokkaido is back to work, meeting on Thursday evening at 21 pm, at the PalaSavena in San Lazzaro, to start the new season. Preparations are underway, in view of the championship men’s series B which will start on the weekend of October 11th and 12th, waiting for the definitive calendars expected by September 10th.
The new group, even younger than the one that surprised last season by coming close to the promotion playoffs, met for the first training session of the season, under the guidance of the new coach Roberto DeMarco, called to manage the team together with assistant Cristian Gentilini, supported by the club’s technical staff who guarantee continuity from an organizational, athletic and medical point of view.
The first technical session was preceded by a meeting in the presence of the management and by the words of Andrea Cappelletti, at the starting line of his first full season as president, after having taken over last season following the painful passing of Elisabetta Velabri: “It is with great emotion and a sense of responsibility that I inaugurate this sporting year, taking over from our Elisabetta, whom we will all remember for her boldness in facing challenges. We all remember where we started from and we are all now committed to building this club whose strength lies in unity, and whose vitality lies in its people. We start today with the first team, our beacon for generations of athletes who see in volleyball a lifestyle and I couldn’t have found myself better with such a close-knit management staff and such a competitive field staff, who can give so much to our athletes.”
The new coach announced the key points around which the new team will be formed Roberto DeMarco”I’m proud to coach this team and I thank the club for giving me this opportunity. It’s a young team that must never lack enthusiasm, the determination to do well, and the desire to work together.”
The squad is rejuvenated, but it boasts some key players: Fabio Ronchi, Davide Bernardis, Michele Serenari, Riccardo Tito, Leonardo Bandieri, and Lorenzo Ricci Maccarini have all returned. New to the roster is the homegrown libero, Gioele Imperato, born in 2008, fresh from his prestigious call-up to the European Youth Olympic Festival.
Plenty of space for the very young: from the youth team products Antonio De Cocinis, Lorenzo Gamberini, Luca Falzone, to the new arrivals Riccardo Branco, Riccardo Russello, Andrea Rivola, mostly born in 2007 and 2008.
Preseason. The schedule for friendly matches to prepare for the season has already been drawn up: the first on September 19th against Rubicone, then on September 26th and October 2nd against Forlì, and on the 10th again against Rubicone or San Mauro Pascoli.
AloJapan.com