Italy

Italy

The Italian partner shared two main best practices which are very important and well-known:

ASD Pink Sport Time Bari and the national and international events organized by the former

Apulian Basketball Federation president, Margaret Gonnella.

ASD Pink Sport Time Bari, is a female sports club, born in 2001 from the idea of 4 close women

friends who invested in the gender equality issue. At the time the city of Bari lacked both

women basketball clubs and women football clubs. The sports club has 2 main sectors: female

basketball and football. Since the beginning, the mission has been focused on sport as a tool of

inclusion and socialization.

In 2001 the club started with 15 registered female basketball players. Nowadays – after 20

years – it counts on 100 registered female basketball players. Important factors for the increase

in numbers:

● Good job on mini-basketball (4-12 years old)

● Nice and friendly basketball facility

● Expert basketball coaches (national level)

● Family environment

● Passion and Fun.

Here some achievements of the basketball club:

● Regional Cup Championships with youth selections (U14/U15/U16/U18)

● Access to Interregional and National Finals

● Call-Ups to the national youth teams for some of our athletes

● Participation to Senior National Leagues (up to final for the access to the second major

national league).

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Here are some points related to management which give solidity and make the club being

appreciated:

● The club has always been managed as a family. The president has always been the same

one.

● Each athlete receives a customized treatment – as well regarding economic issues. For

example: normally junior players must fulfill a fixed payment (each quarter), but the

management tries as much as possible to meet the family needs – if necessary. For

special cases, the course is free.

● Direct connection between management and supporters. If it is possible the

management helps and supports the fans by contributing with extra costs. Another way

to involve the supporters in the life of the sports club is giving them job opportunities

(drivers, press agent, etc).

● Research of local sponsorships in order to have a straight connection with community

and territory.

● Strong relationship and collaboration with one of the main male basketball club over

the territory �� by using the same style of jersey, t-shirts, bags, colors. This helps to create

a more reliable relationship with the community

● Collaboration with other female basketball clubs for players loan (e.g. the payment still

goes to the origin club).

● Organization of both formal and informal parties and involvement in extra events (cultural and/or social events).

Technical and organization staff as well has tried to include women figures:

● It has always been a gender-mixed staff – even if with a natural predominancy of male

figures. In the past the club could enjoy the experience of an Olympic player, named Monica Bastiani, who played in Barcelona ‘92. She played with the team (at the end of her career, 40-years old) and in the meanwhile she trained the youth clubs.

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● The players of U17/U19 are always asked to be assistant of basketball coaches with

small rewards.

● During youth categories games, the ones that don’t play are asked to be the tables judges.

The messages to the players, supporters, and all the people involved have always been the same: ● basketball activity is a tool for the future – whatever it will be;

● respect and use the principle of respect; ● study and sport don’t have just the S in common– if combined, you do a great job.

Always experiencing new adventures and events: e.g. basketball 3x3, international

tournaments, studying abroad.

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The second good practice on the Italian territory comes from the Apulian Basketball Federation

which has connected basketball, basketball 3x3 and tourism. Actually, along these year this

Committee has organized several national and international basketball events which gave the

opportunity to exploit the Apulian land. During these occasions, a lot of women were involved

in the organization and logistic activities. These activities were led by the former Apulian

Basketball Federation female president, Margaret Gonnella, who was as well a former

basketball player. She did a great job on team building:

● A great group formed by volunteers among FIP Puglia basketball coaches, referees and tables officials; ● Organization staff made of women mainly; ● Collaboration and Support of the Regional Board Members – according to the type of event (e.g. Victor Casulli – President of Grotte di Castellana).

Here are some important clues and issues on which it was paid a lot of attention:

● Volunteering Treatment– those who volunteered were offered eating and staying (if necessary); ● Investment in 3X3 sector (bb court, balls, baskets); ● Collaboration with the territory: ■ Research and use of different companies of private transportation, in order to let every company work; ■ Partnership and agreement with different local restaurants (not just one), in order to let tourists (basketball players, families, foreign players) know the Apulian cuisine; ■ Partnership and agreements with different hotels; ■ The big part of management in the hands of 2/3 women (1 for relationship, 1 for administration and economic issues, 1 for logistic); ■ Always a special attention to the surrounding landscape (trulli, grotte, molo di Bari); ■ Always offering external activities and parties.

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