In the town of Norcia in Umbria, a remarkable act of solidarity from the Italian American community has resulted in the creation of a new community basketball court, now open for the town’s young people and residents. The initiative stems from the aftermath of the devastating 2016 earthquake, which deeply affected the local area.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by Robert J. Delaney, former NBA referee and vice president of NBA Cares; Giampiero Rosati, director of the Italian National Trauma Center (INTC) based in Orvieto; and Richard Mollica, professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. The basketball court, donated to the Municipality of Norcia, was built by INTC with funding from the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) in collaboration with NBA Cares.
The new sports facility was officially inaugurated on November 5, 2025. The ceremony included local government representatives, an ex-nba referee now serving as a vice-president of nba care, and a renowned professor of psychiatry from harvard medical school. The town’s mayor publicly expressed his gratitude, highlighting that this contribution is part of a broader partnership established after the earthquake. The aim has consistently been to assist the community in reclaiming vitality and hope. The sports court was introduced as both a physical space and a symbol of renewal for Norcia’s youth.
For the local youth, the new court stands as more than just a place to play—it serves as a venue for growth, hope, and communal engagement. One of the organizers described the court as ‘a gesture of love’, and stressed that sport has the power to uplift spirits. He recounted a previous visit to Norcia when he felt compelled to act, which eventually led to this completed project. The initiative built upon earlier efforts that began in 2017, including psychological support for residents dealing with post-traumatic stress, the establishment of a dedicated centre with labs and a communal room, and training for medical and civil-protection volunteers.
The transformation succeeded in repurposing a disused tennis court into a vibrant basketball venue. Local students attended the ribbon-cutting event, joined by their teachers and school leadership, and even watched a demonstration match featuring players from a women’s A2 level basketball team. The presence of the town’s monastic community and church clergy underlined the sense of solidarity that fuels this project as much as the athletic ambition.
In giving the town this facility, the donors entrusted the municipality with a gift meant for its younger generation - they hope it will be cherished, maintained, and serve as a fertile ground for communal pride and resilience. As one local official put it, without the children and their energy, Norcia would lose its spark; this court is a tangible step in ensuring that spark remains alive.
