Guests of the Jump Summer Sports Centers, Elisa Cella and Francesca Sgorbini—respectively volleyball and rugby champions—have arrived in Fano. The first boasts over 50 appearances with the national team and has a thrilling list of achievements. The second, though still very young, has already debuted in the azzurra jersey, and her sporting destiny seems written.

They are Elisa Cella and Francesca Sgorbini, a volleyball player and a rugby player, and they were the protagonists of “Champion’s Day”, a special morning organized by Jump. The two athletes arrived in Fano as guests of Asi Pesaro, as part of the collateral activities included in the summer sports center program.

Cella and Sgorbini, in front of hundreds of fascinated and curious children, reached the rugby field in via Tomassoni, and—together with sports psychologist Sammy Marcantognini, long-time staff member of various national sports federations (most recently Federbocce)—spoke about the role of women in sports, a topic more relevant than ever given recent Olympic results that have captivated an entire nation.

And Elisa Cella and Francesca Sgorbini had plenty to share. Their careers—especially that of the volleyball player—speak for themselves. The Tuscan spiker boasts a rich past in Italy’s A1 league and with the national team. Wearing the blue jersey, she won silver medals at both the 2005 World Grand Prix and the European Championships—results that don’t happen by chance, but through immense sacrifice and commitment, as Elisa explained to the young athletes, speaking from the height of her 187 cm of wisdom.

Sacrifice not only on a physical level, but—above all—on the level of willpower, tenacity, and grit. It’s crucial to have a clear goal, and to reach it, you must be willing to work, cry, suffer, grit your teeth, and push hard.

Autographs, photos, and selfies framed a morning that showed these kids that you can be a champion in sport—but also in life—and that humility and sharing are traits reserved for those who truly have something extra.

And that something extra is certainly true of Francesca Sgorbini, third row for Rugby Colorno, who wore the jersey of the Italian national team for the first time at just 18 years old, during the historic Six Nations tournament—making her one of the youngest players ever to debut for ItalRugby.

Pesaro native Sgorbini also explained that it’s not easy at 18 to give up parties with friends and “wild nights,” but that if you want to chase a dream, you must give it everything you’ve got. Because when you stand in the center of the field, surrounded by thousands of fans, and hear Mameli’s anthem, it all becomes worth it.

The final message that both children and coaches walked away with is clear:

Before becoming strong on the field, you must first be strong in life.