San Terenzo, the future is in young hands Green and white brand of shirts and gadgets

by Matteo Marcello

For several years in this tape of the Gulf, the passwords have been relaunch, engagement, and youth. The process has only been slowed down by the pandemic but is beginning to pay off in social terms, one that began in the coastal village of San Terenzo. Starting over from the young and returning to making town and collecting Paleo after kayaking on the first Sunday in August are the goals of a council that does not see among its members the youngest leader: Nicola Bardini, 24 who has been trying for two years to implement an ambitious project.

“We want to be an investment in the village and in the younger generations – explains Bardini -. We are a small village, but nevertheless there is no shortage of ideas to engage the village and the children: we want to limit ourselves not only to what is the sporting component of Paleo, but also to satiate the passion throughout the year, Starting with the younger generations. Of course, the past two years have been difficult for everyone, especially small towns. “The epidemic has cut our legs, we are starting over now, but it is not easy,” says the village chief, who emphasizes the many activities that have been organized, from snow days to social dinners, but also appointments for children to teach them what they mean. Palio, even the latest initiatives, such as membership stands and fundraising, as well as launching a nice merchandising of clothes and things that bear the symbols of the green and white village: costumes, beach towels, Bermuda shorts and T-shirts, mugs and many other things that were appreciated by the community: ” In recent years this initiative has been lost, but we are starting again by finding a good answer,” says Pardini. This year, then, to give some oxygen to the cash desks, there are also two historic festivals organized by the town. A river of ideas promises to also mark the week before the kayaking challenge, scheduled for 1 August: “Since due to antiviral restrictions, many Santerenzini will not be able to go to Morin Park to attend the Palio, we have decided to involve the village during the week of the race, To color the village and encourage social moments. Small concerts, events for children, and much more. And then, with the participation of bars and perhaps the creation of a big screen, the whole village to come together to follow the race on TV.” Words full of enthusiasm, the words of a town leader, who, however, does battle with those he uses when it comes to municipal support for township initiatives. “I’m sorry to say, but there is little support from the municipality – says the leader – and I see little response to our proposals, and we are sorry that we rely so heavily on initiatives.”

Spirit, the spirit of the town, which is also reflected in its purely sporting aspect. The path started by San Terenzo is clear: open to young people, especially if they are from the territory, with a view to laying the foundations, and why not, perhaps aspire in a few years to return the Paleo city which has been lost since the distant 1964,” last assurances in green and white, a year later 1945.” Our policy is to allow local boys to paddle. Even when I was rowing, the crew was all Santrinzini boys, and we want to continue like this, because it is necessary for us – says Pardini -. Those locals are unparalleled motives and without affiliation. This year we have not been able to continue this factor, also due to generational change and the difficulties dictated by the pandemic.”

The Junior crew, coached by Nicola Bardini, consists of two Santerinzini, such as Luca Rossi and Giacomo Basalacqua, Federico Pecconia and Filippo Tragiai of La Spezia. Helmsman Agata Maestri, as well as the reserve Luca Poggi and Emmanuele Purpi, are also from San Terenzo. Also in the big rig, trained by Flaviano Bertani, there are two local rowers, Andrea Giovanni and Giovanni Pasalaqua, as well as Samuel Rico and Luca Carlivares: for the latter, a welcome return after starting to row under the green and white badge. The wheelhouse is Vitoria Forma. “They are very small crews, and it is no coincidence, because our line is to invest and focus on the new generations. The goal is to do a good job, trying to climb some positions compared to the last version: they are two great groups, there is great harmony between the rowers, who in recent years, on Despite the many difficulties, they did not give up. Arrive in front of the rival villages? Let’s try “explains the commander, who then confirms with a sign of regret the absence of a female staff. “I’m sorry, because in recent years we have always brought three crews to Palio. We will be back next year.” The president, Massimo Vescovo, also assessed the goals and aspirations of the small village of Santerenzina: “After two hard years, we are back in competition – he says -. The idea of ​​Palio behind closed doors or with a limited number of spectators was welcomed better than we had hoped, also because the alternative was not to Doing so. Certainly there will be no warmth usually, which will partly be offset by the joy of finally being able to get back in the water. It’s hard to make any predictions, even if the names are known. Our goal is to climb some positions, and finish before our historic rivals would be great, but the important thing Really for us is laying the foundations to move forward. . . ” A village in turmoil, the village of Santrenzina, which also collides with another obstacle: the lack of storage within the marina. Until a decade ago, the boats were protected a stone’s throw from the sea, but with the rebuilding of the marina the village had to reform in an area close to the gymnasium, a hundred meters from the sea, with rowers forced to do so. Back and forth with the boat in each exercise. “Unfortunately it is a big limitation,” they explain from the town.