In the historic centre of Sassari, mini-basketball has become a space for play and growth for the San Donato Devils, a team linked to the neighbourhood’s primary school. Born from a coach’s willingness to help and the school’s initiative, the boys and girls train in the school gym, in a setting where sport also offers opportunities to leave their neighbourhood and get to know other parts of the city.
The team brings together pupils from different backgrounds. “I see a spirit of resilience and joy in them,” says Elisabetta Ganadu, the Devils’ coach. For the young athletes, she explains, the gym is a place to treat with respect and gratitude, as well as an opportunity to train and spend time together.
The experience began in 2022, when Ganadu went to the school at the beginning of September and offered to coach the young pupils for free. The school principal, Patrizia Mercuri, and teacher Rossella Dettori, the team’s founder, welcomed her offer. “I wanted to go somewhere where you give, but also receive,” the coach recalls.
Ganadu brings a wealth of experience: she began coaching at the age of 14 in the Latte Dolce neighbourhood and taught physical education for 42 years, earning the qualification of national basketball coach. She sees a strong desire to play in the Devils: she says the children run towards the ball as soon as they get the chance to train. Taking part in sports, she adds, also provides an outlet for those facing difficult family circumstances and with limited resources.
Training sessions and opportunities outside the neighbourhood allow the children to experience facilities and settings that differ from those they are used to. Among the experiences the coach remembers is meeting the Dinamo Women, whom the children watched as if they were putting on a show. In 2025, the Devils also attended a game at PalaSerradimigni and met basketball player Ousmane Diop.
The neighbourhood has also been the focus of recent work: on 28 September, the San Donato square, opposite the school, was inaugurated. For the Devils, however, being able to keep playing also depends on practical needs, including the medical certificate required for sports activities.
Ganadu says some families cannot afford the examination needed to obtain the certificate and appeals to anyone who can lend a hand. This financial obstacle adds to everyday difficulties, while a gym, a ball and a hoop give children the chance to train and develop their abilities.