Inter Academy project developing in Japan

TOKYO – An Inter Academy delegation led by Director of Global Youth Business Barbara Biggi and Inter Academy Technical Director Marco Monti has flown to Tokyo as Alessandro Zanato replaces Massimo Ciocci as technical coordinator in Japan.

The visit was also a chance to take stock of the progress made by the partnership with Black and Blue Stripes and plan new strategies ahead of the opening of a new centre in Fuchu.

To mark the occasion, 200 families got the chance to take part in two open days designed to give them a first-hand look at the Inter Academy initiative.

The families were given a presentation of the project, before the youngsters headed outside for a taster session under the watchful gaze of the Inter coaches, local instructors and technical director Shoji Jo (a professional footballer between 1994 and 2006 who made 37 appearances for the Japanese national side, scoring seven goals).

Barbara Biggi and Marco Monti also visited Technos College, where they gave lectures to students on the Sport and Management course. First on the agenda was a session dedicated to the role of the coach and the importance of the training journey, before the Inter delegation spoke about how the Inter Academy project was born and has grown since then.

The underlying message was how a sport-based initiative can become a vehicle for brand diffusion via the export of training methodologies and expertise.

Inter Academy Fuchu will be officially launched in October, with Nerazzurri vice president Javier Zanetti attending as guest of honour.