“I have been coaching in Australia for almost 14 years now, and after experiences at several clubs, I came to Footscray Hawks Basketball,’’ shared Berni.
The club was founded 12 years ago and contains 20 women’s and 29 men’s teams, and Berni currently serves as head coach.
“Now I want to focus on growing this club and its juniors through culture and basketball knowledge, to train future players at a high level in Victoria and even beyond.”
Berni seems to be the kind of person who has by no means forgotten to make room in his suitcase for the experience.
And who better than he, a native of Varese, to be a basketball ambassador between the two countries?
Those who love this sport know very well how revered the city of Varese is. The Varese Basketball Club, with ten domestic championships, five international Champions Cups, two Cup Winners’ Cups and three Intercontinental Cups, is among the most prestigious teams in continental basketball, and is the most successful Italian team at international level.
Basketball is a staple in Varese, and Andrea himself grew up “on bread and basketball”.
For him, “this European vision had to be transmitted to Australia, where people look more to the American version, the NBA, which has very different technical denotations and training styles”.
After arriving in Australia in 2009 for “a change of life”, he got married and now has a small daughter. During the day, Berni works as a substitute teacher, a job that he loves as it gives him time to pursue his passion of coaching new generations of basketball players in Footscray.
“I am lucky to work in a beautiful environment, in contact with wonderful families, working with fabulous coaches and a president,” he said.
His mission now seems to be going swimmingly, thanks especially to a call that was as unexpected as it was exciting one Thursday night.
“I couldn’t believe it, I received a call from Renato Caroli,” shared Berni.
“He was my first coach back in Folgaria where he started this series of famous summer basketball camps.
“He invited us for this summer.”
This year marks the 36th edition of the camp which has welcomed hundreds of kids and coaches from every continent.
“Finally, a window is opening between Italy and Australia for basketball,” Berni stated excitedly.
“Surely this possibility can only get the adrenalin pumping for the boys, the coaches and the club.
“I’m confident that this collaboration will grow and will not stop at this edition.”
This bridge between the two countries will not only be a sporting one, but also a gastronomic one, explained Berni, as many families of Footscray basketball players are not only joining the overseas initiative, but planning extended holidays in Italy, where they plan to discover sport, culture and good food.
“The dream now is to bring these boys and girls to Italy and to continue this cooperation in the years to come,” said Berni.
“The girls in particular are very talented and I encourage them a lot, as they can really bring an important generational change.
“I would love to see a piece of Australia in Italy and maybe at the Varese Tournament.”
Berni is full of pride at being one of the promoters of a connection between the Bel Paese and Australia, which is in constant need of new cultural, gastronomic, artistic and, as in this case, sporting links.
