Volpi Rosse Menarini: Celebrating 20 Years of Sport and Inclusion

Florence’s wheelchair basketball team Volpi Rosse Menarini marks 20 remarkable years promoting sport and inclusion. This milestone celebrates not only two decades of athletic achievement but also the journey of an extraordinary group of individuals who have been embodying the Menarini Group’s values since 2011, becoming a model of sustainability and impact in adaptive sports. 

Founded in 2005 as a Social Promotion Association before evolving into a Sports Club in 2011, Volpi Rosse became Tuscany’s first-ever wheelchair basketball team, introducing this competitive and inspiring sport to the region.

After years competing in youth championships and Serie B in Italy, the senior team achieved promotion to Serie A in 2021, while also making its mark internationally with a second-place finish in Eurocup 3 in 2024.

Over the past two seasons, Volpi Rosse has maintained strong competitiveness, establishing itself as one of the most vibrant teams in Italy’s top league. While their recent success stems from hard work, what truly distinguishes these athletes is their contribution to the community beyond basketball.

Beyond its competitive focus, Volpi Rosse Menarini leads two meaningful community programs.

The first initiative, “Oltre l’Ostacolo” (Beyond the Barrier), reaches youth ages 12-16 through interactive workshops across Tuscan schools. These sessions highlight the physical, cultural, and mental barriers that hinder full inclusion. Students then experience wheelchair basketball firsthand, putting theory into practice.

Their second initiative, “Movimento in Allegria” (Moving with Joy), fosters social integration for children with physical or cognitive disabilities. Under the guidance of professionals and the Volpi Rosse team, these children engage in a variety of sports alongside high school students, fulfilling work-study requirements. The program encompasses everything from handball to archery, with wheelchair basketball featuring prominently.

As a longtime title sponsor for 14 years, Menarini Group firmly believes in Volpi Rosse’s mission. Shareholders and Board members Lucia and Alberto Giovanni Aleotti express their pride: “Watching the team flourish and spread its message among young people fills us with extraordinary pride. Supporting them is a genuine honor. We remain committed because we believe in sport’s transformative power to change lives.”

Club president Ivano Nuti echoes this sentiment, highlighting the impact of Menarini’s backing: “Menarini’s steadfast support has fueled our remarkable growth, enabling us to compete at the European level and expand our educational initiatives throughout Tuscany’s schools. Over these two decades, our commitment has never wavered. We’ve always ensured no one gets left behind, working tirelessly to transform inclusion from concept to reality.”

Volpi Rosse Menarini stands as much more than a basketball team – it embodies sport’s unique power to create new possibilities. Throughout their twenty-year journey, they’ve shown how passion, dedication and solidarity can turn obstacles into triumphs, both in competition and in the community. Moving forward, this Florence-based Sports Club remains steadfast in its founding mission: bringing together inclusion, commitment, and a collective vision of growth.