Parma, 18 October 2023 - Parma Calcio and Parmalat are pleased to announce a partnership for the 2023/24 season. Parmalat strengthens its commitment to the children of Parma through a series of educational and cultural initiatives: Parmalat will be the Main Sponsor of the Parma Calcio Academy and a partner in the ‘Forma la tua passione’ (Shape your passion), dedicated to schools in Parma and the province. 

The collaboration is central to promoting the development of youth football and the adoption of a healthy lifestyle for young athletes. This partnership will unite the skills and resources of both organisations to support emerging talents in the world of football and promote the values of sport and a balanced diet. The partnership with Parma Calcio also represents an important boost for Parmalat in terms of corporate welfare, allowing employees' children to participate in the numerous activities organised by the Academy. 

'This collaboration makes us feel particularly proud, as it goes far beyond a simple partnership. Indeed, we firmly believe that sport is fundamental in our society, as a means of unity and inspiration. And whilst it is important for adults, it is even more so for young people; it is a powerful tool for physical, mental and relationship development. Sport can teach us values such as dedication, commitment and team spirit, values that Parma Calcio wholly embodies, just like us. Not to be overlooked then, is the fact that the Club not only excel on the pitch but also has deep roots in the Parma community. Its bond with the territory of Parma is a crucial aspect for us, as we believe in the power of creating a positive impact on a local level. It is therefore an honour for us to be part of this story, which goes far beyond the playing field,” said Maurizio Bassani, General Manager of Parmalat. 

The Parmalat brand is iconic and represents the history of Parma Calcio. As Luca Martines, Corporate Managing Director of the Club underlined: “Strengthening the bond with our territory and their brand is a fundamental principle for us in our daily work. Parmalat is a historic brand in our community, it represents Parma across the world, it has a global image but it is also a direct expression of a territory that values its own history whilst looking to the future with innovation. The relationship between Parma Calcio and Parmalat returns today, based on the shared ideals of youth development, promotion of sporting values, morals and wellness. I would like to thank Parmalat for deciding to embark on this journey with us.” 

Parmalat Educational will be the engine of the partnership. And it will embrace children from the territory of Parma and the province. “The Parmalat logo,” commented Mattia Incannella, Sales Director of Parma Calcio, “will be present on the children’s shirts who participate in the summer camps, organised and managed by the Parma Calcio Academy. It will also feature on the shirts that will be donated to the first classes of schools in Parma and the province that sign up to the ‘Shape your passion’ project. This is why we immediately embraced the same values and philosophy with Parmalat, because sport should unite all children regardless of their shirt.” 

The Parma Calcio Academy is committed to providing high-quality training to young footballers, aiming to develop their potential both on and off the pitch. With Parmalat’s long history of promoting healthy eating, they are committed to educating young athletes on the importance of a balanced diet and an active lifestyle. The work will be aimed at creating educational programmes and joint initiatives that promote the growth of young athletes, not only as footballers but also as responsible health-conscious individuals.

Parmalat Educational is Parmalat’s educational project which has promoted educational activities, educational workshops and educational competitions in nursery, primary and secondary schools in the area since 2008. This programme includes lessons on important topics such as a balanced diet, the importance of physical activity and environmental sustainability. The aim is to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to adopt a responsible and healthy lifestyle.