Sport e Legalità: How Judo Became a Bridge Between Police and Youth in Perugia
In a city where trust between law enforcement and young people is often fragile, Perugia has found an unexpected ally: judo. The Sport e Legalità initiative, which concluded today with a ceremonial event at the PalaBarton Energy, transformed a traditional martial art into a powerful tool for teaching discipline, respect, and legal values to elementary school students. With Olympic medalist Maria Centracchio as its honorary figurehead and police officers as instructors, the program has set a new standard for community policing through sport.
The Vision Behind the Project
Launched in 2023 through a collaborative protocol between the Questura di Perugia, the Gruppo Sportivo Fiamme Oro of the Italian Police, and the City of Perugia, Sport e Legalità was designed to achieve something rare: breaking down barriers between police and young citizens. The initiative targeted students from two primary schools—Nicholas Green in Lacugnano and Lambruschini in Ferro di Cavallo—bringing them into the heart of the police station to learn judo under the guidance of Luca Poeta, a technical director for Fiamme Oro’s judo section.
The project’s goals were clear: teach children the fundamentals of judo, instill a sense of respect for rules and authority, and build mutual trust between the police and the community. “Judo is more than a sport,” Poeta explained during the program’s final ceremony. “It teaches control, respect for opponents, and the importance of following rules—values that align perfectly with the principles of law enforcement.”
A Year of Growth: What the Students Learned
Over the course of the academic year, 8 classes—spanning first, second, and third graders—participated in weekly judo sessions inside the police station. The unconventional setting was intentional, aiming to normalize the presence of law enforcement in the lives of young students. “At first, some children were nervous,” recalled a teacher from Lambruschini school, who attended the ceremony. “But as they progressed, they began to see the police not as authority figures, but as mentors and role models.”
The curriculum went beyond physical training. Students were introduced to the history of judo, its philosophical foundations, and how its principles—such as ju no ri (gentle path)—could be applied to everyday life. “We emphasized that judo is about harmony, not aggression,” said Poeta. “That message resonated with the kids, especially when they saw how their instructors carried themselves with dignity and professionalism.”
“Judo is more than a sport. It teaches control, respect for opponents, and the importance of following rules—values that align perfectly with the principles of law enforcement.”
The Ceremony: A Celebration of Trust and Achievement
Today’s event at PalaBarton was more than a graduation ceremony—it was a symbolic milestone. Attended by high-ranking officials, including Questore Dario Sallustio, Sottosegretario all’Interno Emanuele Prisco, Sindaca Vittoria Ferdinandi, and representatives from the Italian Army, Carabinieri, Guardia di Finanza, and Vigili del Fuoco, the gathering underscored the project’s broader significance.
The morning began with a video montage featuring the Fiamme Oro youth judo teams, followed by the Italian national anthem, L’Inno di Mameli. The students then took center stage, demonstrating the techniques they had mastered over the year. Their performance was met with applause from the audience, including Maria Centracchio, who had traveled from Rome to serve as the event’s madrina (honorary figurehead). Centracchio, a bronze medalist in judo at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, shared her own journey with the students, emphasizing the discipline and perseverance required to succeed in both sport and life.
Each child received an official certificate and a small gift from the attending authorities, marking their completion of the program. “This isn’t just about learning judo,” Centracchio told the crowd. “It’s about learning how to be responsible citizens, how to stand up for what’s right, and how to treat others with respect. These kids have done that—and they should be proud.”
Why This Matters: A Model for Community Policing Through Sport
Programs like Sport e Legalità are gaining traction across Europe as a response to rising tensions between youth and law enforcement. By using sport as a neutral ground, initiatives like this can foster dialogue, reduce stereotypes, and create positive associations with authority figures. In Perugia, the results appear promising: teachers and police officers alike reported improved behavior and confidence among the participating students.
The success of the project also highlights the unique role of Fiamme Oro, Italy’s elite sports group within the Police. Founded in 1946, Fiamme Oro has long been a bridge between athletics and public service, producing Olympic champions and fostering community engagement. “Our athletes are ambassadors of our values,” said Dario Romano, national technical director for Fiamme Oro judo. “When they teach judo, they’re not just teaching a sport—they’re teaching integrity, teamwork, and respect for the law.”
For Maria Centracchio, the project’s impact goes beyond Perugia. “If we can use sport to change perceptions in one city, we can do it in others,” she said. “The key is consistency. These kids need to see that the values they’re learning in judo are the same values that guide their police officers, their teachers, and their community leaders.”
What’s Next: Expanding the Program’s Reach
While today’s ceremony marked the end of the pilot phase, organizers have already begun discussing how to scale the program. “We’re exploring partnerships with other schools in the region and even nationally,” said a spokesperson for the Questura di Perugia. “The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and we believe this model can be replicated elsewhere.”
For now, the focus remains on celebrating the achievements of the 8 classes that participated. As one student, Luca, a third-grader from Lambruschini school, put it: “Before, I didn’t like the police. Now, I think they’re cool because they teach us how to be strong and fair.” That sentiment—simple yet profound—captures the essence of what Sport e Legalità has accomplished.
Key Takeaways
- Innovative Approach: The project used judo as a tool to teach discipline, respect, and legal values to young students in an unconventional setting—the police station.
- Community Impact: Over 100 students from two Perugia primary schools participated, with teachers and police reporting improved behavior and confidence.
- Olympic Connection: Maria Centracchio, a Tokyo 2020 bronze medalist, served as the event’s honorary figurehead, reinforcing the link between elite sport and community values.
- Scalability: Organizers are exploring ways to expand the program to other schools in Umbria and beyond, with support from Fiamme Oro and local authorities.
- Broader Implications: The initiative serves as a model for how sport can bridge divides between youth and law enforcement, with potential applications worldwide.
How to Follow
For updates on future phases of Sport e Legalità, follow:
Fans of judo and community sports programs can also track similar initiatives through the Federazione Italiana Judo Lotta Karate Arte Marziali.
