With the Guinness PRO14 season indefinitely suspended, and the world coming to an effective halt, the heroes and heroines of the medical side of rugby have swapped their pitch-side appointments for the healthcare battleground, to play their part in Flattening the Curve of the spread of the Coronavirus.
Each of our Italian teams have released their medical personnel to join the force to battle the virus, and we would like you to meet the real heroes of the Guinness PRO14.
Paolo Ferrari and Ilaria Spartà – Zebre Rugby Club
Paolo Ferrari and Ilaria Spartà are working as General Practitioners in their respective hometowns, screening new cases of the virus and providing medical support to the community.
Rocco Rollo – Zebre Rugby Club
Rocco Rollo is working at the Vaio Hospital in Fidenza, the second biggest city in the Parma province.
Davide Calzi and Federico Cioni – Zebre Rugby Club
Davide Calzi and Federico Cioni are both working on the frontline at the Parma University main Hospital. (Cioni not pictured)
Cecilia Craviari and Matteo Bazzoli- Zebre Rugby Club
Cecilia Craviari and Matteo Bazzoli are on the frontline in the Geneva hospital in Switzerland. (Bazzoli not pictured)
While at Benetton Rugby, all five doctors are working at the forefront of the effort in Hospitals in Venice, Padua and Treviso.
Bruno Pauletti and Silvia Mazzariol – Benetton Rugby
Both Bruno and Silvia Mazzariol are medics who are now based at Treviso’s main Hospital, where they are working with Coronavirus cases every day.
Marco Cesana – Benetton Rugby
Marco Cesana, Medical Director of Benetton Rugby is working on the frontline.
Roberto Saccocci and Elvis Lela – Benetton Rugby
While Roberto Saccocci and Elvis Lela are also demonstrating the real meaning of heroes in local hospitals.
Each of these individuals are sacrificing so much. Every one of them form the fibre of the Guinness PRO14 and we are so grateful and proud to have them part of our team.
Our team doctors beat the drum of health and safety throughout the rugby calendar for our teams, but it is now our own responsibility to do our bit and #StayHome.
COVID-19: PLAY YOUR PART
· Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds at a time
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
· Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue and immediately bin the tissue
· Keep surfaces clean
· Reduce social interactions
· Keep a distance of 2 metres between themselves and other people
· Stay at home if possible
For the latest advice from your area see below:
UK: Click here
Ireland: Click here
Italy: Click here
South Africa: Click here
