A life for volleyball, for the sports in general, wearing the blue jersey and then, the most important one, as captain of the national team, stepping on playing fields all over the world, embracing trophies, medals, above all carrying in the heart and memories unique, unforgettable moments, as only those who had a great passion can understand.
He needs no introduction Maurizia Cacciatori, whose name makes the voices of those who have followed his exploits and those of the national volleyball 1990s.
Four Italian championships won, 1 Spanish championship, 4 Italian Cups, 1 Queen's Cup, 3 Italian Super Cups, 3 Champions Cups, 1 Challenge Cup, in 1998 the award for best setter of the World Championship and a Gold at the Mediterranean Games in 2011. She made her debut in A1 when she was only 16 years old and went on to wear the blue jersey 228 times, becoming a true icon of the sport.
Today she works in communications and in 2018 she also wrote her book "Without a Net," in which she recounts her exploits as an athlete and her life of success and sacrifice, good times and suffering.
A well-rounded sportswoman and woman, whom we at Sport Business Academy we had the honor of meeting with her on the occasion of her invitation to participate in our master's program for football managers as a special guest, to bring to our students her experience and the extraordinary lessons derived from her sporting activity.
How does one become Maurizia Cacciatori?
"Fina as a child I had an incredible passion for that ball and for sports in general. Above all, I loved the fact that I could share something with my team. To follow sports, I left home when I was 16; my life was not like any of my peers. I had to make sacrifices, such as summers with my family, trips and outings with friends, I had few days off because of training and often, even on those days, I had to stay in the hotel with the national team. But this never weighed on me, because I had a very strong passion, as well as the courage to put myself out there despite a thousand doubts and uncertainties. I did not imagine that I would become captain of the national volleyball team, but what I felt for sure was that this great passion would give me the opportunity to achieve what I was looking for, which was collaboration, sharing, seeing so many countries and getting to know so many different cultures. Here, I think I am who I am because of passion, determination and courage."
What has volleyball taught you?
"Volleyball taught me to know how to pick myself up. In this experience that has lasted more than 20 years, there have been great successes, but also moments of great difficulty: the fact of changing teams, always putting myself on the line, being constantly judged because of even my role as director of the game, for which I was asked to always be at the top. Volleyball taught me empathy, to coach those around me, to always look for solutions, and it was a great school of life, which I take into my daily life today as a mother and businesswoman. It taught me not to look back and to know how to handle bad moments, not to be afraid of change."
The victory that has remained, more than any other, in your heart?
"There are many, but I think the greatest success ever is related to my call for the national team. I still remember when I received the letter from the Federation: I was so excited and moved that I couldn't stand up. When you put on that jersey, you have a huge and at the same time beautiful responsibility on you; you represent values that belong to your path but also to your land: it is an indescribable honor And for me it was the most beautiful thing in my sports life."
If you had to compose an "ideal" coach by adding up the characteristics of the coaches you have met...
"I have been fortunate to have had so many coaches from all over the world: from Julio Velasco to Bernardo Roccia, but the list could be very long indeed. Of each of them I have appreciated characteristics, each had different mentality, method and culture, but equally extraordinary. I believe that the coach must first and foremost always be himself and must know how to communicate with his athletes, under all circumstances. I think one thing he cannot do without is empathy, the desire to get to know his players, a characteristic that in my opinion distinguishes a true leader. And then, a coach has to be a guide, a point of reference: in this way a team, a player never feel alone and know what they have to do and how to behave, having the certainty of having on the bench a figure who at all times provides directions, strategies to face a challenge."
How has sports affected and changed your professional and personal life?
"I always say that sports is an extraordinary luxury simulator of life, because it gives you the good fortune to experience something that is also in a way out of reality, in an area that is often considered far from the everyday. In a sense my teammates and I were privileged, we had experiences not in the norm,. traveled a lot, met a lot of people. After the sports activity I realized that volleyball had marked my life anyway. As a corporate woman I can say that it is also like a team, where you have to deal with so many different people, bring home goals. So volleyball I can say taught me how to work with determination and focus, how to be patient, how to value people, how to have courage, how to be a team player, how to have resilience...."
How is the sport changing as a result of the pandemic, and how, in your view, can the sport draw new blood from this dramatic experience to restart?
A dark page, this one, for sports, when one considers that the Olympics have been suspended, that it has become difficult to train in serenity and continuity, not to mention the sharing factor, which is the greatest value in this world and which is now greatly compromised. But as a sportswoman, the thing I feel to say is that this is another challenge to be faced, for which we have to train patience. I am sure that when this sad story is behind us, we will know how to value the training, the people, the audience, the sacrifices, even the victories."
What would you tell young people who want to pursue a career in sports, either as athletes or in leadership?
"I would tell them that this is the time to give more, that everyone has a duty to carry out their dreams with passion, to pursue them with dedication and respect. The world of sports, both the one practiced on the playing fields and the managerial one that takes place behind the scenes, needs trained and prepared people who do not stop investing in their professionalism. I tell everyone not to be afraid, to get involved, to believe in themselves, to roll up their sleeves, study, train and never stop."
Volleyball, like most sports, is something that gets in your blood and never goes away: how much do you miss the court?
"When I think of volleyball played on the courts, I miss the moments shared with my teammates, the trips, the routes taken far and wide waiting for the match. But my reality today is very similar to what it was then. In the corporate sphere, I bring my experience and the values of teamwork, leadership, effective communication, collaboration and team spirit itself, without which no organization can grow or win."
