For the first time in the history of our sports, two women have won the Coach of the Year Award: Simona Conti for baseball and Marta Gambella for softball are the winners of the 2021 Coach of the Year Award. The recipients were determined by a final online vote organized by the National Technical Committee.
Simona Conti has served as manager and technical director for the Torre Pedrera Falcons. In addition, she has led the Team Italy U12 squad to four consecutive European Baseball Championship titles since 2017 as the Azzurrini bench coach. She concurrently works as the Team Italy U15 bench coach as well. Simona Conti edged Team Italy U18 manager Francesco Aluffi with 63.9% of the vote for 2021 Coach of the Year honors.
Softball coach Marta Gambella overtook Elisa Peri of Bertazzoni Collecchio with 61.6% of the vote to win the 2021 Coach of the Year Award. Marta Gambella is a true legend of Italian softball and the Italian national team. A member of the FIBS Hall of Fame as well as Macerata Softball coach, she recently joined the Team Italy women's softball staff.
CNT President Fabio Borselli congratulated the winners and said, "The awarding of the prize to two women at the same time, represents not only a first, but highlights the invaluable coaching skills that Simona and Marta have contributed to the their respective sports. They are not only leaders but also two wonderful people." The CNT Board of Directors also 2021 Baseball for the Blind Coach of the Year Lauro Lanzarini. Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
