In the spring of 2025, a pilot project was launched in L’Aquila, central Italy, bringing together students, educators, and local community figures.
This initiative formed part of a collaboration between educational institutions and the Football Makes History platform to explore football as a cultural and historical lens through which young people can reclaim narratives of place, identity, and belonging – especially in territories affected by socio-economic or environmental disruption.
This model of heritage work intersects directly with several FMH Gameplan practices: “Football in the classroom,” “Remembrance,” and “Marking shared heritage,” while reinforcing football’s value beyond performance: as memory, emotion, and identity.
The storytelling competition
The activity involved secondary school students from the “Istituto Comprensivo Statale Giuseppe Mazzini” in L’Aquila (Italy), who were asked to research, write, and reflect on local football stories, either lived, inherited, or imagined, anchored in L’Aquila’s past and present.
The initiative culminated in a contest for the most compelling written pieces, judged by a panel of educators and sport professionals.
Opening up local history through youth voices
Three stories were selected for publication. All reveal the intimate, human scale at which football operates, and how football is much more than getting and keeping trophies.
1. “My Grandfather, the Shirt, and the Radio” – by Lorenzo D.
“I never met my grandfather. Yet I know him through his Lazio shirt from 1958 and a photo where he listens to the match in the town square on a small black radio.”
The story weaves together post-war Italy, local pride, and intergenerational connection,
as the narrator rebuilds the portrait of a man who represented more than a team. He represented a time, a rhythm, a resilience.
2. “The Broken Goalpost of Piazza d’Armi” – by Giulia C.
This powerful narrative recalls the “imaginary stadium” created by children among the rubble after the 2009 earthquake in L’Aquila.
“We only had one goalpost, the other was a trash bin. But the cheers echoed like we were at the World Cup.”
The story is a poetic testament to how sport becomes refuge, resistance and rebirth in moments of collective trauma.
3. “Marco: The Neighbourhood Coach” – by Marco C.
A heartfelt portrait of an amateur coach who shaped generations in L’Aquila through passion, rules, and affection. “Marco taught us how to tie our boots and our hopes.”
A story of quiet, unsung leadership and what it means to belong to a community.
Looking ahead for scaling up the pilot
Following the success of this initiative, L’Aquila 1927 is looking into expanding the model to other towns in central Italy. The plan is to integrate football-based historical storytelling as a pedagogical tool, combining writing, digital archives, and sport heritage.
We are also working with the Rome-based Centro di Ricerca per la Sport Diplomacy e Innovation, to translate these local experiences into broader discussions on youth empowerment and inclusive identity-building.
Usage of advice
The local club and school drew inspiration from the FMH Gameplan “Toolkit for Football Heritage Work” and centred their pilot on storytelling, remembrance, and co-creation. In particular the key practices on “Football in the classroom” and “Remembrance” aligned well and provided pedagogical aims.
The narrative format of Toolkit articles also inspired how we framed the contest and trained teachers.
We suggest integrating more templates or worksheets for educators unfamiliar with heritage pedagogy. A glossary or “start here” guide could also support non-experts.
Below are some of the personal stories of the students
Filippo De Paolis’s story:
I am a 14-year-old boy from L’Aquila, and like most kids in my city, I feel deeply connected to the colors of my hometown football team, which I have supported since I was two years old.
I fell in love with L’Aquila Calcio when my father took me to the stadium for the first time. Of course, the memories are vague, but one thing is certain: the atmosphere in the curva (supporters’ stand) has always been magical.
The fans would sing, their chants forever etched in my mind, with the red and blue colors flooding the stands — the emotion was overwhelming.
As I grew up, my awareness and love for my city’s team deepened — a team that brings together both young and old, who share not only a passion for football but also the desire to show that what really matters is not just the result, but the connection and emotions experienced through loyalty to the crest.
One funny episode I remember connected to L’Aquila Calcio is definitely this one:
When I was two years old, I was already a little ultra — or better yet, my father was, and I was his living legacy. He would take me into the curva like a lucky charm, with a scarf bigger than me and a red and blue shirt.
I remember that before one match, at the turnstile, a stern-looking security guard stopped us. He looked at my dad, then at me, and said he needed to check my diaper because there had been reports of hidden smoke bombs.
Just hearing those words made my father burst out laughing.
And after carefully verifying that there was no risk of an explosion, they let us in. We often recall that event, which has since remained one of our funniest memories.
Marco Ciammetti’s story:
I’ve known L’Aquila 1927 since I was a child, ever since my parents used to take me in a stroller to the old Tommaso Fattori Stadium. Let’s just say I was born with the red and blue colors in my blood, thanks to my dad, who is a huge football fan, especially of L’Aquila 1297
Since the team restarted from the lower leagues, I’ve always been at the stadium, from the age of five, at first not really as a supporter, but more as part of the crew. My dad worked for local TV stations, and I was his assistant. I’d hold the microphone, the notebook for his notes, and I followed him to every away match. Then I joined the youth football school and, on Sundays, I was on the pitch as a ball boy. Even today, I’m still behind the goal during matches—it’s amazing to watch the game from so close and even better to be able to help the team.
My best memory? The match in San Benedetto dei Marsi, the 2–3 win that allowed us to move up to Serie D. The winning goal in the last seconds and the fence collapsing under the fans’ celebration—what a party! Serie D also brought me a lot of joy, especially the year we won the playoffs with the stadium always full, and those derby matches with Avezzano, which are always intense.
Now, my dream is Serie C, and I hope next season will be the one to finally reach it.
Vittorio Lauri’s letter:
Hi, I’m Vittorio Lauri.
My passion for L’Aquila 1927 was born when I was very little.
I watched my first match from a stroller. It was a friendly: L’Aquila vs Roma.
My dad passed down this passion for L’Aquila 1927 to me by taking me to almost every home game.
As time went on, I also started following the team on away matches.
The match that struck me the most was Capistrello vs L’Aquila, which ended 2–3 for L’Aquila.
We were playing at the San Benedetto stadium. Until the 89th minute, we were trailing 2–1.
At the 90th, Santirocco scored and the away section exploded with joy.
At the 93rd, Jonatan Alessandro scored the 3–2 for us, and the celebration from the L’Aquila curva was so overwhelming that the barriers were broken and the fans stormed the field.
I was among them.
Winning is the best feeling in football.
But when L’Aquila 1927 wins, it’s a thrill that grows strong inside my heart…
To my homeland, I swear eternal love!
Forever Forza L’Aquila 1927 ❤️💙
Find out more
Check out the new feature on the official l’Aquila 1927 website (article in Italian): Discover how L’Aquila 1927 is promoting sports culture and local identity through engaging educational projects in schools.
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