Baroni Honored With Sports Education Award For Outstanding Contributions To Youth Development And Values In Sport

On Tuesday, December 17, in the Sala della Piccola Protomoteca at Campidoglio, Marco Baroni received the Sports Education Award from OPES APS. This honor highlights his dedication to sports, particularly his work with youth and his efforts to promote a strong and inclusive sports culture.

Baroni was acknowledged for his exceptional contributions to youth development throughout his career, not just as a coach but as an educator who instills values and principles.

After the award ceremony, Baroni shared his thoughts with journalists, reflecting on his journey and philosophy:

On his impact after coaching youth teams at Juventus and Siena:

"Working with young athletes comes with a significant responsibility, not just as a coach but as an educator. My approach has always been rooted in the values my family instilled in me—education and respect. I believe sports are a powerful tool for teaching these values to young people. Receiving this award is an honor, but I also want to encourage everyone involved in youth sports to prioritize their role as educators alongside their coaching duties."

On the key value he imparts to his players:

"Sacrifice, without a doubt. Coaching young players isn’t so different from working with professional adults. My philosophy has always been grounded in respect and education, which also extends to respect within a team and the values necessary for a group to thrive. These principles guide everything I do, including my work with youth."