Ronchi Memorial – BCC Cup: Four gyms, twenty teams, and two days of mini-basketball
Twenty teams, four gyms, two days of games, and hundreds of children and families taking part in a huge basketball celebration. On Saturday, October 31, and Sunday, November 1, 2026, the Ronchi Memorial – BCC Cup returns—a mini-basketball tournament organized in the Alto Milanese region with the support of BCC di Busto Garolfo e Buguggiate.
The event will take place in San Giorgio su Legnano, Busto Garolfo, and Dairago, utilizing the PalaBertelli, the PalaColonne, the CSG gym, and the Dairago gym. The twenty participating teams will be divided into four groups—two Gold and two Silver—with the first day entirely dedicated to the qualifying rounds. Sunday will feature the finals, with the closing awards ceremony scheduled for 1:15 p.m. at the PalaBertelli in San Giorgio su Legnano.
The Ronchi Memorial is, above all, the embodiment of an educational project that for three decades has placed sports at the service of children and families, building a network of collaboration among associations, volunteers, coaches, and local governments.
““Our program is aimed at children ages four to eleven, a crucial age range for their first exposure to sports,” explains Paolo Ponzelletti, president of the Altomilanese Minibasket Center. “We introduce them to basketball through play, which is the very essence of minibasket. We’re not just interested in teaching them how to dribble or shoot hoops, but in offering children the chance to spend time together, have fun, and learn to interact with others. Around the ages of nine or ten, they also begin their first games, but always with a very relaxed approach, without overemphasizing competition. We organize tournaments, participate in events even outside our local area, and strive to provide the kids with experiences that are meaningful on a personal level as well.”
The tournament is an opportunity to put this philosophy into practice. The result on the court isn’t the only important factor: every game becomes an opportunity to learn to respect the rules, work together with teammates, accept defeat, and share in victory. Playing against children from other clubs also allows them to broaden their horizons, learn about new environments, and build friendships.
Behind the event lies a thirty-year history: that of the Centro Minibasket Altomilanese, founded with the goal of transcending municipal boundaries and building a sports network capable of reaching children directly where they live. “From the very beginning, we chose not to identify with just one city, because our goal was to serve the entire Alto Milanese region,” explains Edoardo Ponzelletti, tournament coordinator. We’re active in San Giorgio su Legnano, Busto Garolfo, Villa Cortese, Arconate, Dairago, Casorezzo, and even in the Busto Arsizio area. In each town, we have an introductory minibasketball center, with activities organized in local gyms. As the children grow older and move toward more competitive play, they are gradually integrated into regular teams. It’s a model that allows us to stay close to families while, at the same time, offering the kids a structured athletic program.”
The organization now has over 350 members spread across eight municipalities, confirming the project’s ability to address an educational and social need that goes far beyond the practice of basketball. The work carried out over the years has also earned significant national recognition. The Italian Basketball Federation has awarded the Altomilanese Minibasket Center the Platinum designation, the highest level granted to recognize the quality of minibasket centers. “This achievement rewards the work we’ve done over the years, the presence of national-level coaches, and the expertise we’ve built. Behind this recognition are many people who dedicate their time and energy to the children. We are an organization that relies largely on volunteers, and we always strive to organize meaningful initiatives—within the limits of our capabilities, of course,” emphasizes Andrea Ferrara, minibasket director.
The support of the BCC of Busto Garolfo and Buguggiate takes on special significance in this context. The cooperative credit union has supported the activities of Sangiorgese Basket and the Altomilanese Minibasket Center for years, helping to sustain a project that focuses on young people, families, and the local community. The very name “BCC Cup,” featured in the official logo of the Ronchi Memorial, attests to the connection between the event and the cooperative credit union. “Over the years, we’ve built a very positive relationship with the BCC of Busto Garolfo and Buguggiate,” notes Ponzelletti. “The bank has always stood by us, supporting our activities and our growth. Its support extends beyond a single tournament to encompass a broader journey that includes many initiatives dedicated to sports and community engagement. I believe this relationship stems from a shared sensibility: we have more or less the same commitment to the local community. It’s important for us to be able to count on organizations that share the educational and social value of what we do.”
