Rugby, Alfredo Gavazzi died: he was federal president for 9 years

Like all pylons, he didn’t want to miss a single battle. Always in the fray and on the front line: for him it was the same, whether it was the green lawn of a Six Nations stadium or a dusty suburban field, Passionate, sincere. Deeply related to its oval roots. Alfredo Gavazzifor 2 terms president of the Italian Rugby Federation (2012-2021) and before that – for 12 seasons – vice president, at 72 he passed the ball: so they say about rugby players, and he certainly was. “I am a party from the bottom”, he repeated with the pride of someone who has never been afraid of difficulties. He was used to making his dreams come true. Mechanical expert and then a very successful entrepreneur. He is a player and one of the founders of a team from the Brescia province, Calvisano, with whom he has celebrated 7 championships in recent years. He married, two children. Fir recalls that “he experienced some of the most unforgettable days of Italian rugby of the third millennium: fourth place in the men’s Six Nations in 2013, with the Olympic victories over France and Ireland, the success of Edinburgh in 2015, the historic victory of Florence over South Africa in 2016, Italy’s second place in the 2019 Tournament “. But those who know him well know that nothing made him feel happier than the oval adventures he lived in Calvisano.

The memory of Marzio Innocenti: “Today I feel more alone”

In his memory, a minute of silence will be observed over the weekend on all the fields of Italy. The national team of girls on Saturday will take the field against France in the quarter-finals of the world cup with mourning on the arm. This is what the current president wanted Marzio Innocentiwho remembers him: “Alfredo is leaving us today and personally, as well as institutionally, I feel much more alone. With him there have been long years of opposition and different visions for our rugby. A tough, harsh and not without blows confrontation forbidden as it must be between two old school forwards. What has united us in any case is rugby, and all that means. Him with the infinite love for his Calvisano, me with the equally infinite one for the Game. better than many who hide their real intentions, if Alfredo didn’t like you he would say it to your face and act accordingly. He sacrificed his life for two terms to lead Italian rugby – and today I know how burdensome the charge of president of the Italian Rugby Federation – but he did it, I’m sure, to the best of his abilities and convictions. After my election I recognized Alfredo the honor of arms; today the moment is much more serious and I want to embrace Alfredo, his family and his Calvisano, ideally representing all the Italian rugby which gratefully thanks him “.