My name is Tomaso Merlo and, together with my friend and business partner Mauro, we are the mind and soul behind NCA12.
I have always had a greta passion for Basketball which I nitially express as a player, until I realized that my true talent was to lead the team from the bench. I became a coach at a very young age, training youth and senior teams, both in Italy and abroad. Over the years, I also held the role of Youth Technical Manager while leading national and international teams.Thank goodness at a certain point golf became part of my life, the putt became an extension of my arm… and the drive? Well, let’s just say it’s my calling card on the course! When I’m not organizing events with NCA12 and I’m not on the court you’ll definitely find me on a green around the world! After all, whether I’m on the basketball court or on the green, my mission is always the same: to play as a team and give my all, while having fun! My passion for sports and my experience in organizing events led me to create something special for young athletes hungry for new challenges. I have always believed that sport is much more than a competition: it is a chance to discover the world, to interact with new cultures and to grow both on and off the field.
With NCA12, my goal is to make every trip to Italy an unforgettable experience, both from a sporting and human point of view. I know the importance of having maximum logistical and organizational support to allow teams to focus on just one thing: giving their best on the field while having fun.
My name is Mauro Oliva and together with “Tommi” I founded NCA12.
Like all Italian children, I started my sports career playing soccer. Since the coach was my father, after a short time he had the honesty to tell me: “change sport!”. We didn’t speak for days but it was a blessing in disguise… It led me to start playing basketball. I trained in the youth of the glorious Cantù of the 80s, even winning a national title. I was then lucky enough to go and study in the USA where I continued to play. I went unnoticed in the 1994 NBA Draft but that same year I won the Military World Cup with the National Team. This fantastic sport has taught me so much and given me wonderful memories and friendships.
With NCA12 I want to be able to provide an unforgettable experience to as many kids as possible. They must return home with a thousand stories to tell. I want them to get to know our culture and appreciate every aspect of it. They will play and see wonderful places and taste the best of our cuisine.
I’m Mattia Oliva and I’m the connection between NCA12 and the United States.
I moved to Tampa, FL, three years ago and never looked back. This allows me to be close and familiar with colleges and the american sports culture, and thus understand the desires of everyone who travels with us.
The passion for sports and my past career as soccer player taught me to always give everything I have on the pitch until the final whistle, whether it is a conference game or a pick-up with friends. I apply the same approach to NCA12: I’m not satisfied until the group flies back with a smile.
Staying in touch with all of those who travel with us is the greatest satisfaction, as well as building a long-lasting relationship that is more than just business. I often have the chance to speak with athletes or staff members who traveled with us many years ago and remind ourselves of the experiences we lived together, and that will always be fantastic and unforgettable memories. It is incredibly rewarding to hear how these experiences influence their lives, bringing some of them to even move to Italy or other European countries further in their career.
I love making mysef available to people. From the first introductive call to any question or request after going back home, everyone who travles with us knows they can always text me or call me at any hour. Just know this goes for you too