Logo

Annual event report: 2024 year in review

Reporting Period: February 2024 – December 2024
Location: Medulin Municipality, Croatia

1. Executive summary

The year 2024 marked the inaugural chapter of the Association for Promoting Sports and Culture Among Youth (UPSKKM Galeb). Founded with a mission to revitalize the local community through active engagement, the association successfully executed a series of sporting and cultural events that brought together residents and visitors of the Medulin Municipality. From indoor tournaments to seaside traditions, the year was defined by rapid growth, volunteer dedication, and strong institutional support.

2. Foundation and vision

The association was officially established in late February 2024. The foundation was a direct response to encouragement from local community members who recognized a need for a dedicated youth organization. This launch was made possible through the critical support and partnership of the Medulin municipality.

The primary motivation for forming UPSKKM Galeb was a shared desire to preserve local customs, specifically the established tradition of the picigin tournament. Following the cessation of activities by the previous organizing body, our founders stepped in to ensure that this cultural and sporting staple would continue to thrive as a key part of the local identity.

3. Calendar of events

Easter football tournament

The association’s public debut took place on the Saturday preceding Easter. Held at the Dr. Mate Demarina elementary school sports hall in Medulin, this football tournament served as our pilot event. Despite being our first logistical undertaking, the tournament was highly successful, featuring seven competing teams. This event provided the foundational experience necessary for managing larger-scale public gatherings and demonstrated the high demand for organized youth sports.

Banjole volleyball tournament

Following the success of the spring season, the association moved outdoors in July to organize a volleyball tournament in Banjole. Building on the experience gained during our first event, this tournament saw a significant turnout and a high level of competition. It further established Galeb as a reliable organizer of recreational sports within the various settlements of the municipality.

The inaugural picigin tournament and summer concert

In August, the association achieved its primary goal of reviving the picigin tradition. The tournament was held on Bijeca beach, specifically in the area fronting Havana Beach Bar.

This event showcased the ingenuity of our volunteer network; prior to the tournament, our volunteers designed and constructed custom bar structures specifically for this occasion. To ensure a hospitable environment and a complete event experience, full catering (food and beverages) was provided for all participants and spectators.

The festivities concluded with a live cultural performance that evening. Lucky Band performed on a stage set up at the beach, providing a celebratory atmosphere that successfully integrated sport with local nightlife and community celebration.

Briškula tournament: family day

The final notable event of the 2024 calendar took place during the municipality’s family day. The association organized a tournament in Briškula, a traditional Istrian card game. By including this in the program, we were able to engage with a multi-generational demographic and highlight our commitment to the cultural heritage and traditional pastimes of our region.

4. Special recognition and acknowledgments

The success of our inaugural year would not have been possible without the generosity and support of our partners and collaborators. We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to:

The Mayor of Medulin municipality: For his unwavering support during the formation of our association and for providing the necessary funding to bring our vision to life.
The official municipality workers: For their continuous support, administrative understanding, and professional guidance throughout the year.
Havana Beach bar: For his invaluable assistance in securing our first event sponsors and for providing the venue that allowed us to host our band performances and seaside tournaments.
MedulinFM: Our media sponsor, for providing radio coverage and ensuring our events reached the ears of our entire community.
JU Kamenjak: For sponsoring the official staff and event shirts used during our football and picigin tournaments, helping us build a professional and unified presence.

Additionally, this all would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of our volunteers, who have made this association a reality, no matter the size of their contribution. Whether it was building bars for the beach, managing tournament logistics or managing social media, your hard work made these events a reality.

5. Conclusion and outlook

The 2024 season was a transformative period for UPSKKM Galeb. In less than a year, the association evolved from a conceptual idea into a pillar of the local community. Through a combination of football, volleyball, picigin, and traditional card games, we have successfully addressed our core goals of health, tradition, and social cohesion.

We enter 2025 with a proven track record, a strengthened volunteer base, and a clear vision for the future. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Medulin municipality and expanding our impact on the lives of young people in our community.