Thirty-six basketball clubs from across Tuscany gathered inside the Salone dei Cinquecento at Palazzo Vecchio to celebrate the conclusion of a demanding season. The annual regional awards ceremony, organized by the Tuscan committee of the Italian Basketball Federation (FIP), brought together men’s and women’s teams that claimed regional championships and cups, including the Coppa Toscana and Coppa Primavera, as La Nazione reported.
Trophies Awarded to 36 Regional Clubs
Federal president Giovanni Petrucci and FIP Toscana president Massimo Faraoni handed out trophies to representatives from 25 men’s clubs and 11 women’s clubs during the morning gathering in Florence. The ceremony highlighted the breadth of regional competition overseen by the local federation, which managed more than 10,000 matches during the previous campaign. Faraoni noted during the event that 511 teams are officially registered for the 2026-2027 regional championships, a figure that underscores participation levels across the territory.
Individual Honors and Historic Club Milestones
Alongside team trophies, the federation distributed individual awards named after prominent figures in Tuscan basketball history. Carlo Contu received the Piero Massai referee award, Fabio Freccioni earned the Piero Focardi director honor, and Mario Ferradini collected the Otello Formigli coaching recognition. Additionally, Vincenzo Carlà received the special Ansmes award dedicated to Alfredo Martini.
The morning also acknowledged longevity among regional institutions. Commemorative plaques went to Bottegone Basket 2001 for 25 years of affiliation, ASD Basket Reggello for 50 years, ABC Castelfiorentino for 60 years, and Vela Basket Viareggio 1946 for marking eight decades since its founding in 1946.
Use Basket Celebrates Youth Success and Ferradini Recognition
For Use Basket, the Palazzo Vecchio gathering delivered multiple honors, highlighted by Mario Ferradini receiving the Otello Formigli award. Use Basket noted that Ferradini first entered a gymnasium as a player in 1968 before beginning his coaching career in 1979, eventually serving as a club coach and current assistant coach for the Serie A2 squad. Club president Matteo Corsi praised the milestone as recognition of a life spent in the sport.
In addition to Ferradini’s accolade, the club celebrated youth sector achievements on the Florence stage. The club’s Under 17 Eccellenza squad, guided by coach Luca Valentino, received recognition for capturing the regional title. Additional youth honors went to the Biancorosso Indiana Pacers for winning the Under 13 Coppa Toscana in the Jr. NBA division, alongside the Under 15 and Under 17 Gold women’s teams for their respective Coppa Toscana victories.
Federation Leadership Outlines Administrative Goals
Beyond the celebrations, federation officials used the Palazzo Vecchio assembly to address structural objectives for the upcoming seasons. Faraoni outlined initiatives aimed at strengthening officiating resources, ensuring that referees and table officials are available for every scheduled competition across the region. Other priorities include expanding participation in the women’s sector and launching targeted outreach programs to introduce more participants to the sport.
High-profile figures attended the proceedings, including FIP vice-president Margaret Gonnella, Lega Pallacanestro president Francesco Maiorana, men’s national team head coach Luca Banchi, and CONI Toscana president Simone Cardullo. Local administration was represented by Florence sports councillor Letizia Perini and regional presidency undersecretary Bernard Dika, alongside regional committee presidents Antonio Galli of Emilia-Romagna, Lorenzo Fontana of Lazio, Fabio Crivellaro of Veneto, and Enrico Ragnolini of Lombardy.
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