This week is crucial for Italian sports, and especially for volleyball, as the Chamber of Deputies unanimously approved the first version of a bill that changes the rules for the use of school sports facilities by sports clubs and associations. This was reported by the official website of the Chamber of Deputies (Camera dei Deputati).

What is the meaning of the new initiative

• Until now, every sports association had to obtain prior consent from the school if it wanted to train in its hall.

• Now the bill changes that:schools will no longer give permission every time, but only notify if they have specific obstacles.

• This allows municipalities — as owners of the halls — to open them to clubs when they are not being used for educational activities.

• Thus, school sports facilities will be used with greater flexibility, respecting both educational needs and sports functions.

• The bill has not yet been finally adopted — it is still to pass through the Senate, as is evident from the file of the Chamber of Deputies (The Parliament of Italy is bicameral).

Mauro Berruto — from the match with Bulgaria to a legislative initiative

The initiator of the project is Mauro Berruto, a former coach of the Italian national volleyball team, who in 2012 in London won bronze after the third-place match against Bulgaria — thus Italy finished on the podium, while the Bulgarian selection, led by Nayden Naydenov and Camillo Placi, remained fourth.
All specialized sports media on the "Boot", including the authoritative volleyball.it, emphasize the legislative involvement of the former coach in this process.

Now Berruto is transferring his experience from the sports arena to legislative activity — and seeks to facilitate the path of young athletes to the halls.

Significance and potential consequences

This bill has the potential to transform school sports halls into a true public resource, accessible to clubs and young people when not used for educational activities.
It will reduce bureaucracy, create more predictable rules, and strengthen the link between education and sports — especially in smaller towns and regions where access to suitable sports facilities is often limited.
Hopefully, this example will be discussed in Bulgaria as well, where there is currently a surge in people wanting to train volleyball, but spaces in the halls are limited.

photo:sportellate.it