The municipal council chamber in Calcinaia hosted a formal ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 3, honoring local youth who reached national and international podiums in artistic roller skating during the 2024–2025 season, according to vtrend.it. Municipal officials, coaches, and club leaders gathered to distribute merit awards to members of the Polisportiva Gatto Verde sports club who excelled across multiple competitive circuits.
Civic Recognition for Polisportiva Gatto Verde Rollers
Local sports leadership led the recognition ceremony inside the Calcinaia council room, praising athletes who transitioned from competitive training floors to municipal acknowledgment. Sports Councillor Giulio Doveri presided over the event alongside coaches Valentina Papucci and Agustina Garcia, as well as club manager Carlo Mattii. According to municipal records and club statements reported by vtrend.it, the delegation distributed official certificates of athletic merit to skaters who captured gold, silver, and bronze medals in high-level tournaments.
“I am proud to represent an administration that believes in sport as an educational tool and instrument of personal growth,” Councillor Giulio Doveri stated during the ceremony, as cited by vtrend.it. Doveri highlighted that the achievements stem from dedication and collective effort, emphasizing that group cohesion remains central to success in an individual discipline like artistic skating.
National and International Successes Drive Club Standing
The celebrations followed a standout competitive campaign for the Calcinaia-based club. Polisportiva Gatto Verde secured an 11th-place finish in the overall club standings at the 49th AICS National Review (Memorial Sandro Balestri), outperforming a field of 158 competing organizations.
According to vtrend.it, the roster of decorated athletes includes:
- Andrea Arzilli: AICS National Champion in Giovanissimi A, UISP National Champion in Giovanissimi A, bronze medalist at the Italian FISR Championship (Trofeo delle Regioni Giovanissimi A), and runner-up at the International Memorial Filippini and Dall’Acqua Trophy (Giovanissimi A).
- Alice Arzilli: AICS National Champion in Junior medium and UISP National Champion in Formula F1.
- Greta Arzilli: FISR Skate Italia National Champion in the Giovani Promesse GP 2013 category.
- Matilde Barneschi: Bronze medalist at the UISP National Championship.
Broad Support Base and Coaching Leadership
Addressing the room ahead of the individual presentations, coach Valentina Papucci emphasized that the podium finishes reflect a broader institutional ecosystem within the club. According to vtrend.it, the organization counts approximately 80 active participants in artistic skating, ranging from 3- and 4-year-olds in introductory programs to 16-year-old competitors.
“Today we celebrate those who won medals, but I also want to remember all the other athletes who train with us with the same dedication and passion,” Papucci said, as reported by vtrend.it. Alongside Papucci and Garcia, the coaching and managerial staff includes Fabio Antonelli, Erica Atzori, and Giada Lugli.
