(ANSA) - Boscotrecase, August 11 - The rugby field at the
city stadium in the Naples suburb of Boscotrecase, following a
recent renovation in preparation for the 2019 World University
Games that took place July 3-14, will be the site of a series of
local initiatives to utilise and promote the sport for both men
and women, including minirugby for youth.
Orazio Arancio, coach of the Italian national men's rugby
team, said the field at Boscotrecase is now one of the "most
beautiful rugby fields in Italy".
The professional rugby team Amatori Rugby, based in the
neighbouring suburb of Torre del Greco, just under three years
ago won a bid to manage the local stadium for 15 years.
This year's rugby season will start slightly later than
usual, due to the world championships that will be held in Japan
starting September 20.
The local women's rugby team is about to start its third
consecutive season in Serie A.
For the men's team, currently in Serie C, Amatori plans to
work towards the team's promotion to Serie B.
This year Amatori will also coordinate mini-rugby teams for
boys and girls in three categories: Under 18, 16, and 14.
Amatori said it hadn't done that before because it worried
about safety concerns with the previous field, which was hard
ground.Universiade: New plansnce was so impressed by the field
that he asked if he could take a small piece of the mat with him
back to France.
Amatori is aware that the newly renovated field needs to be
utilised well, and will allow not only rugby and soccer practice
there, but has also launched two other projects: one tied to
building a gym under the facility's grandstands, and another
regarding a tensile structure for a basketball court.
The stadium could also shortly be used for non-sporting
events as well.