In Sabbioneta, a splendid town in the province of Mantua commissioned by Duke Vespasiano Gonzaga and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, just outside the city walls stands the Palazzetto dello Sport, where, as you approach, you can hear the screech of the wheels of the powerchairs belonging to a group of young people who make up a team that has been a national benchmark in wheelchair hockey for years: the Macron Warriors Sabbioneta. Whenever the ‘warriors’ play at home, that arena is bathed in red and blue, and the stands fill up with fans coming together to support and celebrate with these athletes, who have always been ‘heroes’. The joy, determination and passion they put into what they do are truly inspiring. They are true athletes who compete every Sunday to overcome their opponents and the obstacles that life has placed in their path.

A story within a story

2014–2024: next year, the Macron Warriors will celebrate the tenth anniversary of their foundation. A story of passion for sport that began in the sports halls where wheelchair hockey was played and where a very young Fabio Merlino – president and coach of the Macron Warriors, who has suffered from a degenerative neuromuscular condition since birth – was accompanied by his father, Filippo, a second lieutenant in the Carabinieri and commander of the Viadana station. In 2003, Filippo Merlino was deployed to Nassiriyah in Iraq, and never returned because, along with 19 other Italians, he lost his life in the attack on 12 November of that year. Many years later, with his life to rebuild from scratch, Fabio – who in the meantime had taken up hockey – decided, together with his mother and some friends, to found a wheelchair hockey team in Viadana in memory of his father: the Warriors.

The thrilling performance in the Netherlands, the home of wheelchair hockey

Over the past ten years, there have been many successes: their first experiences in Serie A2, national and international tournaments, and then promotion to Serie A1 – a league in which the Macron Warriors have long been a leading force in the powerchair sports movement. Now, the latest news. August brought a thrilling result: third place in what is considered the most prestigious club tournament in the sport, the International GP Bulls Powerchair Hockey Tournament, held in Eindhoven, the Netherlands – the home of wheelchair hockey. The ‘warriors’ from Sabbioneta defeated teams from all over Europe, only being stopped in the semi-finals by the hosts. A prestigious result and confirmation of a sporting project that continues to grow stronger with every season. Over the years, the club has established itself by bringing in a range of professionals in technical, commercial and communications roles. These are key building blocks for the growth and development of an ambitious sporting project.

A sporting and social project

The team spirit that drives the Macron Warriors and their shared values – such as promoting sport for people with physical disabilities – also translates into activities and projects aimed at raising awareness, increasing visibility and fostering social inclusion. The red-and-blue athletes are often guests at local schools or, in turn, welcome young students for a day spent with the Macron Warriors. These are special and educational opportunities, through which the students have the chance to learn about a new sport and its rules, and to try out the sports wheelchairs that these athletes use on the pitch – wheelchairs that have given them not only the courage to face a fate that is anything but favourable, but also the grit to turn it almost into a virtue. True athletes who give their all both on and off the pitch. They do so with discipline, tenacity and determination, chasing a goal on the pitch that serves as a metaphor for how to face everyday life.

The special bond with Macron

2014–2024 also marks the history of the partnership between the Rossoblù club and Macron. A special meeting took place between the Warriors and Gianluca Pavanello, CEO of the Bologna-based company, who recognises the merit and importance of their sporting and social project. A decade-long partnership, but above all a great friendship that has grown stronger over time. The Warriors are the only team in the Macron ‘galaxy’ to have the brand name featured in the team name that appears on calendars and at events for this sport, and the Macron Hero also features on the club crest. ‘’Become Your Own Hero’ This is the philosophy – both in life and in sport – of these young people who, day in, day out, give their all to overcome obstacles, fighting and enduring hardships together to achieve their goals with courage, determination and great joy and vitality. Macron Warriors Sabbioneta: heroes through and through.