Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy – Twenty-seven students from three schools in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region of Italy will participate in a work-study program connected to the 43rd Trofeo Tarcento – European Cup Juniors – EJU Training camp, set to take place in Lignano Sabbiadoro from April 10th to 15th. The program offers a unique opportunity for these students to gain practical experience within a high-level international sporting event.
The initiative, spearheaded by Stefano Stefanel, Technical and Sports Director of Judo Kuroki and a former school principal for 23 years, aims to provide students with insights into the organizational complexities of a major judo competition. Stefanel emphasized the value of exposing students to an international event, stating that it offers learning opportunities not easily found within the region. “We’ve been welcoming students for work-study programs since 2017,” Stefanel said, “because the knowledge gained from organizing an event of this caliber and its international scope can provide students with experiences they wouldn’t typically find in the region.”
The participating schools and student numbers are as follows: 12 students from Liceo Marinelli in Udine, tutored by Anna Maria Rossi; 10 students from ISIS Mattei in Latisana – I.T. Savorgnan di Brazzà in Lignano Sabbiadoro, under the guidance of Monica Zanella; and 7 students from ISIS Magrini-Marchetti in Gemona del Friuli, with Paola Tonino serving as their tutor.
Stefanel expressed his gratitude to the schools for their participation and acknowledged his former colleagues, Elisabetta Falasca, Marco Tommasi and Angela Napolitano, for their support. The students’ involvement will begin with introductory sessions at their respective schools on March 26th (Magrini-Marchetti and Savorgnan di Brazzà) and March 31st (Marinelli), followed by on-site engagement at Lignano from April 10th to 12th, where they will be integrated into the event’s organizational structure.
Assisting Stefanel in this extensive tutoring effort will be Alessandra Maracchini, a counselor for Judo Kuroki, and Pietro Bosco, who participated in the program as a student last year. This hands-on approach ensures the students are immersed in a genuine international organizational activity, rather than a simulated exercise.
The Trofeo Tarcento has a rich history, dating back to 1982, and has become a significant event on the European junior judo circuit. In April 2025, the 42nd edition of the Trofeo Tarcento concluded in Lignano, with Italy securing 17 medals. The event attracted the attention of Giovanni Morsiani, President of the Italian Judo, Karate, and Wrestling Federation (FIJLKAM), who praised both the organization and Stefanel’s recent election as President of the Federation’s School of Formation. Giuseppe Matera, President of the Judo sector of FIJLKAM, noted Italy’s return to a competitive level reminiscent of its rivalry with France in previous years.
Beyond the competition itself, the Trofeo Tarcento also serves as a platform for promoting the sport and inspiring future generations. Asya Tavano, the first Olympian from Friuli Venezia Giulia in judo, attended the 2025 event as a testimonial, expressing her pride in witnessing the competition’s continued growth and popularity.
The Judo Kuroki club’s commitment to education extends beyond the Trofeo Tarcento. Between February and March 2026, a judo course was held at the Liceo Scientifico Sportivo at Magrini in Gemona, led by Stefano and Alberto Stefanel under the guidance of Professor Luca Plaino. This course concludes Judo Kuroki’s 2026 school year activities, which also included interventions at IC Tarcento with Giacomo Cugini, Tiziano Tieppo, and Iacopo Bardus in Tarcento, Nimis, and Magnano in Riviera, and at the primary school in Attimis with Iacopo Bardus and Alberto Stefanel.
The Trofeo Tarcento isn’t just a sporting event; it’s a multifaceted initiative that blends athletic competition with educational opportunities, fostering the development of both young athletes and future professionals. The work-study program represents a valuable bridge between the classroom and the real world, providing students with practical skills and experiences that will benefit them in their future careers.
Looking ahead, the 43rd Trofeo Tarcento promises to be another exciting event, showcasing the talent of young judoka from across Europe and providing a valuable learning experience for the participating students. The event will be held at the Bella Italia Village in Lignano Sabbiadoro.
The next confirmed checkpoint is the start of the 43rd Trofeo Tarcento – European Cup Juniors – EJU Training camp on April 10th in Lignano Sabbiadoro. Stay tuned to the European Judo Union website for further updates and results.
