AC Milan’s Sustainability Report (Part 1)
In the document there are stated the main economic, environmental and social impacts of AC Milan on certain subject areas specifically taken into consideration in the CSR strategy. These matters are of great importance to the stakeholders and relate to the major environmental, social and economic risks associated with the Club’s activities. The process of identifying these topics has involved the principal internal stakeholders and has taken into consideration specifically the principles of the inclusiveness entailed and of sustainability, substance and completeness.
BECOMING MILAN PEOPLE (Youth Academy)
“Every one of our players is unique.“
The AC Milan method is based on the concept that all people are unique, an idea that guides our approach to the youngsters’ sporting activity. If every player is unique, in order to develop their talent we must first understand that player: who they are, what type of person and player they are, how they feel.
- 311 youth academy players (male and female)
- 13 youth teams
- 13 staff members + 2 supervisors
The staff that works with the youngsters is made up of professionals from three different fields:
- Relationships and emotions (psychologists, educators)
- Fitness (fitness coaches, medical team)
- Technique and tactics (coaches, assistants)
The youngsters meet with the whole team on a regular basis so that we can create a personalised plan for them, take stock of their current situation and evaluate the progress they have made.
These meetings are designed to help the young players to have a greater understanding of themselves, of their limits and of their potential.
GIRLS’ FOOTBALL SCHOOL IN KUWAIT (Girls Academy)
“We want to actively involve girls and young women who have traditionally struggled to have access to sport”.
Courses for girls aged 7-17 have been running at the AC Milan Soccer School site since 2014.
The AC Milan Soccer School is the first of its kind for girls and has been praised extensively by local institutions and the media.
The teams play in international tournaments in Italy too, where they have achieved excellent results on the pitch. The trips also proved important life experiences for all the girls who took part.
- More than 40 girls involved in Kuwait
- 16 soccer schools around the world
- 8 soccer schools with girls teams
Besides the technical and methodological aspects on the pitch, there is a particular focus on what it means to be a woman.
The girls can train in dedicated facilities and the teams are coached by the Milan Academy coach, who is always supported by a female colleague in order to create the best possible learning environment with suitable role models.
SPORT FOR CHANGE
“Make sport a driver of change to combat social exclusion and discrimination.”
The Sport for Change programme is aimed at young people aged 11-20 who are in danger of dropping out of school or have a history of juvenile delinquency.
Run entirely by the Milan Foundation, the project has set up six centres: Bernareggio, Bollate, Limbiate, Corvetto, Gratosoglio and Naples.
Besides empowering the youngsters, the individual centres also work to develop a network of services to ease the youngsters back into society.
- 120 young people involved 2015/2016
- 5,300 total hours of work
- 160,000 euros of investment
Sport for Change in Naples
The Sport for Change branch in Naples was set up to give young people a place in which to develop. The project is aimed at a mixed group of 15 young people made up of inmates from the young offenders’ institute in Nisida and their peers in danger of dropping out of school, flagged up by the regional network and local social services.
With support from a psychologist and educator, the youngsters grow in self-confidence thanks to motivational training, becoming aware of their own limitations and potential. The young people selected are included in a programme called “Teaching youth-football technique” with the aim of providing them with the technical and people skills required to run a grassroots football team.
Initiatives which bring together the prison environment with the outside world help the youngsters to overcome mutual distrust and create a solid relationship between society and the inmates, in the belief that upon completion of an educational training course together they can have a new lease of life and grow as citizens.
LIFE IN THE RESIDENCE (Youth Academy)
“I knew when I moved into the residence that I’d meet people I could talk to, have a laugh with and rely on” Manuel Locatelli
AC Milan relies on an educational psychology team to help the youth academy players both on the pitch and at the residence, where youngsters between the ages of 14 and 19 live if they aren’t from the local area.
The “training” and “residence” teams work with the coaches of every youth team to ensure the overall wellbeing of the players.
- 40 players housed in the residence
- 297 meeting with educational teams
- 400 hours of evening lessons
The residence is the place where AC Milan provides accommodation and assistance to the young players who come from outside Lombardy and other registered players who, for one reason or another, are required to use the facilities. The aim of the residence is to provide the right conditions to foster a young player’s development and support their football commitments.
AC Milan’s aim is to support young players throughout their teens, by providing a safe, family-oriented environment, proper role models, and help and support with school work and football commitments. The player’s mental and physical wellbeing is always the priority.
MILAN JUNIOR CAMP DAY
“It was absolutely fantastic. Owen has sometimes had a bit of a lack of confidence, and used to think he was rubbish at football. This whole thing – being selected and then going out there – has given him a massive confidence boost. It was a dream come true for him, because he can’t get enough of football. The coaches out there were brilliant, and very passionate about the children. He loved every minute of it in Milan, especially the tournament, when he was playing alongside children from all over the world, including Peru, Germany and Sweden. It was fantastic”. Emilie – mother
Milan Junior Camp Day is an event which is all about having fun together. It involved more than 300 players from 34 countries this year.
The two days featured friendly tournaments between mixed teams at the Vismara training ground. Besides playing each other on the pitch, the participants visited the Rossoneri headquarters and watched AC Milan v Lazio in Serie A.
- 316 total participants
- 70 MJC coaches involved
- 92 matches played
Each day began with all of the kids swearing an oath of fair play.
MJC Day aims to be a fun activity in an international setting, as well as an initiative which has educational benefits in line with the Milan Academy goals, such as multicultural integration and development through sport.
