SPOLETO, Italy — In a quiet gymnasium tucked behind the historic walls of Spoleto’s Spagna-Campani technical institute, 16-year-old Emma Sereni adjusts her grip on a badminton racket, eyes fixed on the shuttlecock as it arcs over the net. Her focus is intense, her footwork precise — the kind of quiet determination that has carried her from regional club courts to the threshold of national representation.
Sereni, a student in class 2 SPO at the Istituto Tecnico Professionale ‘Spagna-Campani’, has been selected to represent Umbria in the upcoming Italian National Youth Badminton Championships, marking a significant milestone not only for her personal journey but for badminton’s growing presence in central Italy.
The confirmation came earlier this month from the Federazione Italiana Badminton (FIB), which released its official roster for the Under-17 category after regional qualifying rounds held across Italy in February and March. Sereni earned her spot through a strong performance in the Umbrian qualifiers, where she defeated top-seeded players from Perugia and Terni to claim first place in both singles and doubles events.
“Emma has been working exceptionally hard,” said her coach, Luca Moretti, who has trained her since she was 12 at the Spoleto Badminton Club. “She doesn’t just show up — she studies the game, analyzes opponents, and pushes herself in every session. What stands out isn’t just her technique, but her mental resilience. She stays calm under pressure, and that’s rare at her age.”
The National Youth Championships are scheduled to take place from May 10–12, 2024, at the PalaFlorio in Bari, Apulia — one of Italy’s premier indoor sports venues. The tournament will feature over 200 athletes aged 13–17 from all 20 Italian regions, competing in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles categories. Matches will follow the standard Badminton World Federation (BWF) scoring system: best of three games, each to 21 points, with a two-point advantage required to win.
For Sereni, the trip to Bari represents more than just competition — it’s an opportunity to measure herself against the country’s best young talent. “I’ve watched videos of the top players in Lombardy and Veneto,” she said in a recent interview with the local newspaper, Il Messaggero. “They’re rapid, they’re smart, and they make it look easy. I know I have to bring my A-game — not just to win, but to learn.”
Her selection highlights a quiet but meaningful shift in Italian badminton. Even as the sport has long been overshadowed by football, volleyball, and basketball in national popularity, participation has grown steadily over the past decade, particularly in schools and technical institutes like Spagna-Campani. According to FIB data released in January 2024, youth registration in Umbria increased by 22% compared to 2022, with over 350 players under 18 now registered in the region — a figure that includes Sereni’s own club, which has doubled in size since 2021.
“Schools are becoming key pipelines for badminton in Italy,” explained FIB development officer Francesca Bianchi during a recent webinar on grassroots growth. “Institutions like the Spagna-Campani, which integrate sports into technical education, are helping us reach students who might not otherwise pick up a racket. Emma’s story is exactly what we hope to see more of — talent nurtured in local environments, given a chance to shine on a national stage.”
Sereni’s academic schedule reflects the balancing act many young athletes face. As a student in the SPO (Servizi per l’Enogastronomia e l’Ospitalità Alberghiera) track, she divides her time between classroom instruction in hospitality management and afternoon training sessions. Her teachers report she maintains strong academic performance, often using travel time to competitions to review lessons or complete assignments.
“She’s disciplined in a way that goes beyond sports,” said Professor Anna Ricci, her homeroom teacher. “Emma manages her time well, communicates proactively when she has matches, and never uses athletics as an excuse to fall behind. She’s a role model for her peers — not just because she’s good at badminton, but because she shows what’s possible when passion meets responsibility.”
The road to Bari hasn’t been without challenges. Access to high-level coaching and specialized equipment remains limited in Umbria compared to northern regions. Sereni often travels to Perugia or even Rome for advanced sparring sessions, relying on family support and occasional sponsorships from local businesses. Her racket, a Yonex Astrox 77, was purchased through a combination of personal savings and a small grant from the Spoleto Municipal Sports Fund.
Still, her progress has been steady. In the past 12 months, Sereni has improved her national ranking in the U-17 singles category from 89th to 42nd, according to the FIB’s official ranking list updated April 1, 2024. Her doubles pairing with fellow Umbrian athlete Sofia Ricci has as well risen into the top 25 nationally.
As the May tournament approaches, Sereni’s focus remains on preparation. Her training regimen includes six sessions per week: three on-court drills emphasizing footwork and net play, two strength and conditioning sessions at the local gym, and one video analysis day where she reviews match footage with Moretti.
“I don’t think about winning or losing,” she said. “I think about executing what we’ve practiced. If I do that, the result will take care of itself.”
The PalaFlorio in Bari, where the championships will be held, is a modern 5,000-seat arena known for hosting national basketball and volleyball finals. Badminton matches will be played on four courts in Hall B, with live streaming available on the FIB’s official YouTube channel and delayed broadcasts on Rai Sport. Ticket information and the full schedule are posted on the FIB competition portal.
For Sereni, the journey to Bari is just the beginning. Her long-term goal is to earn a place on Italy’s junior national team and eventually compete in European Youth Championships and BWF World Junior events. “I know it’s a long path,” she admitted. “But every match, every training session — it’s all part of getting there.”
As she packs her bag for the trip south, Sereni carries more than just rackets and shuttlecocks. She carries the hopes of her club, her school, and a region eager to see its athletes compete at the highest levels. In a sport where precision, patience, and perseverance are paramount, Emma Sereni is proving she has all three — and then some.
The Italian National Youth Badminton Championships begin on Friday, May 10, 2024, at 9:00 AM local time in Bari (UTC+2). Live results and updates will be available through the FIB’s official website and mobile app. Fans are encouraged to follow Emma Sereni’s journey using the hashtag #SereniInBari.
What’s next for Emma Sereni? After the national championships, she will return to Spoleto to prepare for the regional school sports finals in late May, where she aims to lead her school’s team to victory. Then, in June, she’ll attend a FIB development camp in Rome — another step toward her goal of representing Italy on the international stage.
If you found this story inspiring, share it with someone who believes in quiet determination. Leave a comment below to cheer on Emma as she prepares to represent Umbria on the national stage.
