On April 14, 2025, the Italian chapter of the Erasmus+ project “Bet on Sport” was successfully launched in Italy by L’ORMA, with the promise to fight against addiction through the power of sport. A series of events were organized that brought together professionals from the fields of healthcare, addiction services, and sport. The initiative was kicked off in collaboration with the ASST of Lodi (Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale), a public body that coordinates local health and social care services. Key support came from Dr. Concetta Varango, Head of the SERT (Addiction Services) for the Lodigiano area, who facilitated contact with multidisciplinary teams across the provinces.
The launch was structured in multiple sessions, both in-person and online, to accommodate professionals’ schedules and ensure wide participation. Two of the events were held virtually, with attendees from the sports and education sectors, opening up space for cross-sector dialogue and reflection. The conversations were based on the emphasis on the therapeutic potential of sport in addiction recovery, particularly in promoting socialization, emotional regulation, self-care, and a sense of belonging. Participants stressed the need for practical, collaborative frameworks between addiction professionals, healthcare providers, and sport organizations. They also advocated for training programs that merge theory with hands-on approaches, and institutional recognition of sport as a legitimate, structured tool for rehabilitation.
Key takeaways from the launch events highlighted the urgent need for structured collaboration between addiction specialists, health professionals, and sports organizations. In the discussions, many professionals expressed enthusiasm to remain involved and highlighting that such integrated initiatives are rarely promoted in the social sector. The launch events laid a solid foundation for the next phases of “Bet on Sport” in Italy, establishing strong local partnerships and sparking momentum around the use of sport as a powerful resource for social and therapeutic change.
