Bisonti Rugby, the team born in prison that hopes to return

Established in 2011 within the Frosinone prison, it allowed inmates to play in Serie C until 2017. Following an escape attempt, however, activities were suspended, but the team continued to play outside with the aim of returning the shirts to the Frosinone boys as soon as possible.

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RUGBY IN PRISONS

Support for your teammate and team play but also respect for the rules, of the opponent and of the referee. These are some of the founding values ​​of the rugby, a noble sport that more than any other is capable of shaping the individual as well as the athlete. For this reason, it's not surprising that there are more and more projects to bring the oval ball inside the penitentiaries in order to reintegrate prisoners into society. Among the first experiments of this kind is the one that led to the creation of Bison Rugby. A team, established within the Frosinone Prison, which for 6 years has been able to involve, for the first time in Italy, those sentenced to long sentences or forced into maximum security regimes.

Bison Rugby Team Frosinone Prison

The Bisonti Rugby team was born in 2011 and from 2013 to 2017 they played matches in the Serie C championship inside the Frosinone prison. This remarkable result was achieved thanks to the efforts of, among others, the president of the Association.Ideas Group", as well as President of the Bison, Germana De AngelisFollowing an escape attempt in March 2017, this experience had to evolve to survive. The event forced the Frosinone prison to suspend all external activities to allow the management to carry out the investigation. But the volunteers did not give up and to keep the project alive they reconstituted the team with external players With the approval of the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR), they currently play in the Serie C2 championship at the Tor Bella Monaca stadium. The goal is to keep the Frosinone boys' shirts until they are allowed to play again at that prison. 

ALSO READ: In Genoa prison, a world champion taught inmates to play chess.

RUGBY IN PRISONS

While waiting for the Bisons to be able to return to training and playing in the prison, the team welcomes ex-prisoners, such as Precious Orobor who, once he was released, returned to wearing the captain's armband. Furthermore, coach Stefano Scarsella began to teaching rugby to a group of common prisoners in Rebibbia prisonSome of them, being able to access benefits and therefore play externally, will soon be able to join the team.

SPORT IN PRISON

The project is recognized by the FIR and the CONI and is based on the belief that rugby is a a real school of life It can reconnect those who practice it with healthy values ​​and respect for the rules. Over the years the activity has been conducted within the Frosinone prison, as many as 50 inmates, convicted of serious crimes such as robbery, murder, and criminal conspiracy, have engaged in serious tackling and scrums, achieving excellent results beyond their athletic achievements. Practicing this sport in such challenging environments, the promoters explain, encourages those who decide to engage in it to rediscover values ​​such as loyalty, the desire to improve, accepting defeat, and teamwork. These are fundamental principles for future reintegration into society.

The cover photo is taken from the Facebook page Bison Rugby Frosinone.

The project is competing for the 2019 edition of the Non Sprecare Award. To learn more about the competition and participate, go to here!

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