The San Marino Grassroots League, an experimental tournament reserved for
Under 12 category, created with the aim of promoting a new way of experiencing football, putting the
kids, their autonomy and the educational value of sport.
The project is based on three main pillars: self-managed play, to give children back a role
protagonists in the game dynamics; active social inclusion, through the concrete involvement of
children with intellectual and relational disabilities; and the evolution of the role of the coach, called to transform himself
from a managerial figure to a facilitator of the recreational-educational experience and guarantor of everyone’s participation. There
Grassroots League is not just a football competition, but an experience that combines six elements
fundamentals: competition, strategy, unexpected events, entertainment, inclusion and fair play. Next to the normal
race dynamics, in fact there is room for original tools such as special cards and the roll of the dice at the start
of the second half and the trumpet challenge, designed to make each match different and engaging. A
format in which winning and gaining points counts, in addition to this respect, fairness and participation have a role
equally important value.
The tournament involved all five teams from the San Marino football hubs, supported by one
Italian guest team, and was organized into two groups of three teams. One particularity concerns
also the names of the teams, chosen directly by the boys: in Group 1 the Tigers faced each other
Serravalle (Serravalle Football Academy), Lyons Serenissima (Serenissima) and Atletico ma non tanto (Titano
Academy). In Group 2, “I Fulmini” Around Sport Calcio took part, the only team coming
from Italy, Cailungo The Best (Cailungo) and Aura Academy Femminile (San Marino Academy Femminile). After
the first two days, the calendar now includes the final challenges, determined by the placement obtained
in their respective groups. The first appointment is scheduled for Tuesday 17 November at 5.00 pm
Montegiardino, with the final for fifth and sixth place between Atletico ma non tanto and Aura Academy
Female. Thursday 19 November, again at 5pm, space for the other two challenges: on the Domagnano pitch
Lyons Serenissima and I Fulmini Around Sport will compete for third place, while Montegiardino will go
the final for the title between Tigers Serravalle and Cailungo The Best is on stage.
A path that also represents an important training opportunity for young race directors,
identified among the kids who recently completed the last referee course. Thanks to
collaboration of the Federal Technical Educators of the CEF, they will be able to gain experience directly on the
field. Precisely by virtue of the experimental nature of the project, the games do not require the compilation of
race lists and reports.
