Volley Forlì: 50 years and new management with former national players

Volley Forlì blows out its first 50 candles and changes hands. "It's not a goodbye, but rather the best way to look to the future, giving space to a group of former players of national caliber, now entrepreneurs and professionals, who have accepted our proposal for renewal", explains Giovanni Gavelli, historic president of the first expression of men's volleyball in the city (19 years between A1 and A2). "We will manage this transition with continuity - adds Gavelli -, since some of the current members and sponsors, including the Querzoli brand, will remain to give the right contribution of experience to the new course".

The group that acquired the majority share of the company will be composed of Simone Canali, an entrepreneur in the sector of electronic security and video surveillance systems; Luigi Leoni, an entrepreneur with experience in the nautical, fashion and consumer goods sectors; Filippo Santolini, an architect and local public administrator (in the Meldola council); and finally, Raffaele Casadei, a past as a coach and sports director as well as a reference figure for volleyball in Romagna.

"We are enthusiastic about this challenge - the new majority shareholders say in chorus - and grateful for the opportunity that has been given to us. It was easy to find each other and share our ideas with the historical part of the company: the bond that unites us is the love for this sport and the ambition to make the Forlì men's volleyball movement a point of reference again".

Clear ideas and straight thoughts, with a great desire to do. "We will work hard in different directions, with an eye on young people and their psychological and physical well-being - concludes the note from the new management -, to bring the first team back to national levels and create value, including social, for the city". The new social positions will be appointed soon, but the group has already been working for weeks to adapt the corporate structure in view of the next sports season.

In the meantime, given the stop to sporting events ordered by CONI for tomorrow, the day on which the funeral of Pope Francis will be held, the match of Querzoli, already safe with three rounds to spare, on the pitch of bottom club Romagna Banca Bellaria Igea Marina has been postponed: it will be played on Wednesday 30 (21 pm).

Marco Lombardi