At Istituto Marangoni Milano Design, creativity and collaboration extend far beyond classrooms and workshops. Sport can also become an opportunity to meet, share experiences and build relationships beyond academic life. This is the idea behind the Sporting Club, an initiative that, thanks to the enthusiasm of students and the support of the Student Desk, has evolved into an increasingly active and engaged community.

The project reflects an important aspect of life at the School: the opportunity to develop a sense of belonging, pursue shared interests and build connections among students from different disciplines and backgrounds.

From the first match to a growing community

The story of the Sporting Club began on 15 January 2025, when a group of students from the Interior, Visual and Product Design departments decided to launch an initiative dedicated to sport and social interaction. With the involvement of Ivan, Carolina, Alessio and Federica from the Student Desk, and the approval of the School Management, the project took shape with a simple goal: to offer students new opportunities to get to know one another and spend time together outside their academic activities.

The first event took place on 26 January 2025, with a five-a-side football match that immediately received an enthusiastic response. Basketball games and the first beach volleyball matches soon followed, with activities generally organised on a weekly basis, depending on students' schedules and availability.

What began as a small group of sports enthusiasts gradually developed into a community bringing together students from different courses, encouraging new friendships, collaboration and team spirit.

The Club's visual identity also became an integral part of the project. Students contributed to the creation of the Sporting Club logo, while the first personalised T-shirts, featuring participants' names on the back, helped strengthen their sense of belonging.

From Football to Yoga: a Sporting Club for everyone

With the start of the new academic year in September 2025, the Sporting Club took another step forward, establishing three main groups dedicated to five-a-side football, basketball and beach volleyball.

Over time, the range of activities expanded to include new disciplines such as running and padel, responding to the interests of an increasingly diverse and growing community.

An important milestone in the project's development came during Welcome Week 2025, when dedicated QR codes were introduced for each sports group, making it easier for students to join activities and connect with fellow participants.

The Sporting Club's spirit also extends to spontaneous initiatives. In 2025, four students took part in the Milan Marathon, bringing the community's enthusiasm and willingness to embrace new challenges beyond the Club's organised activities.

Among the most recent additions is yoga, which has attracted considerable interest. The decision to introduce this discipline followed the success of two trial sessions held the previous year, demonstrating how the Club continues to evolve by listening to students' needs and passions.

Student Desk: a key reference point for student life

The growth of the Sporting Club has also been made possible by the work of the Student Desk, which supports students not only with the practical aspects of their academic experience but also in creating a vibrant School environment filled with opportunities for interaction and participation.

The involvement of Ivan, Carolina, Alessio and Federica from the earliest stages of the project highlights the importance of a support system that recognises students' ideas and helps turn them into meaningful initiatives.

The Sporting Club is a clear example of this collaboration: a grassroots project that has grown through active listening and participation, becoming a welcoming space for students with different interests, personalities and academic backgrounds.

In this context, the Student Desk continues to serve as an essential point of reference for the Istituto Marangoni Milano Design community, helping make the educational experience more comprehensive, engaging and collaborative.

Beyond Design: the value of belonging to a community

The Sporting Club demonstrates how life at Istituto Marangoni Milano Design extends beyond academic education, creating opportunities for personal growth through informal experiences and shared passions.

Sport becomes a common language, capable of bridging different disciplines, promoting personal wellbeing and strengthening relationships among students.

From the first five-a-side football matches to the latest wellbeing activities, the Sporting Club continues to grow alongside its community, helping make the School not only a place where students develop their creative talent, but also an environment where they can build relationships, share experiences and feel part of something bigger.