Volunteer Press Officer wears different Hats at WU

 

 Thomas Valeruz, Volunteer Press Officer wearing different hats at WU

CANAZEI – As a country prominently known for its football and rugby, Italy has never been a big player on the ice hockey stage.

But for Volunteer Press Officer Thomas Valeruz, that never slowed down his love for the game. “My love for hockey is so big,” he said. “I became a supporter, then a journalist and now I collaborate with my home team.”

Valeruz writes about HC Fassa, an Elite A team located in Canazei, his hometown.

“I make the record of the match, I update the website, the roster, the results. Also I do new player announcements. All I can do, I do.” He even provides updates on the six minor league teams of HC Fassa.

He got into hockey because his father was a rink announcer, so he began attending games at the tender ago of two. By four, he was playing as a defensemen.

At the 2013 Winter Universiade, Valeruz is working as the press officer for men’s ice hockey in Canazei. In addition, he is also involved in doping control and creates the DVD game highlights for the teams. “I have a lot of roles here but I need a lot of collaboration with other people. We are a big team and without these people I can’t do anything.”

The 23-year-old however believes it will be difficult for hockey to grow in Italy because the interest level isn’t high enough. However, with the recent success of Italian hockey at not just the Universiade, but at other international tournaments, the game could begin to rise. “Hockey only lives in the valleys so it is really hard for the hockey to grow,” Valeruz explains. He says that the game gets no national coverage, so they rely on local media, and local businesses, which has successfully kept the game afloat. “Because of this the hockey model in Italy can stay alive for a long time.”

 

Matt Tidcombe, FISU Young Reporter