50 YEARS OF SPORTING HISTORY

THE HISTORY OF SPORTING AND CAORLE PONENTE

When Sporting Club was founded in the late 1960s, Caorle was experiencing one of the most important moments in its history. After centuries of being a town of fishermen and sailors, in the 1960s and 1970s, tourism profoundly transformed the resort. The beaches filled with families from all over Europe, new accommodations were built, and the western part of the town began to develop, becoming a major hub for holidays on the Adriatic Sea. It was in this context that Sporting Club was born.

Western Caorle owes much to architect Guido Impallomeni, who was instrumental in the development of the area's urban plan and the large Villaggio dell'Orologio complex, which includes villas and residential units, offices, and shops; the Sporting tennis and recreational center with an adjoining restaurant; the parish church of Santa Margherita; the large Darsena dell'Orologio dock in the heart of Caorle, with 480 berths; and the shipyard on the opposite bank of the Canale dell'Orologio, in the Sansonessa area.

From the beginning, our goal was simple: to offer tourists, residents, and guests of Caorle a welcoming place where they can feel good, enjoy delicious fresh fish according to the fishermen's tradition, and spend happy moments together. Over the years, we've seen entire generations of families grow up and return every summer, children become parents, and then grandparents, all united by a special memory shared at the Sporting.

The history of Sporting is therefore also the history of Caorle Ponente: the growth of tourism, the evolution of the city, the changing habits and traditions, without ever losing the connection with the sea, the lagoon, and the authentic identity of our land.

On this page we have collected images, memories, and testimonies from the various periods that have marked Sporting's journey from 1973 to today.

A journey through over fifty years of history, in the heart of Caorle.

70s - 90s

The famous "Pennette all'83"

Excerpt from "Caorle Mare" May 2026

Between the late '70s and the early '80s, summer in Caorle had a ritual that many still remember today. After the work day, we would meet at Amedeo and Rita's Sporting. No appointments were necessary: we simply went there, among friends, colleagues, and acquaintances.

At a certain point they arrived: the Pennette in '83.

A seemingly simple dish, but with a unique and unmistakable flavor. The secret was in the sauce: tomato, peppers, curry, chili pepper, and other ingredients jealously guarded by Amedeo Gnan. A unique balance that began with a bold and slightly spicy note, then transformed into a smooth, creamy, and enveloping flavor thanks to the final addition of fresh cream.

But Pennette all'83 was much more than a recipe.

They were a moment of sharing. While eating, people laughed, recounted their day, and just spent time together. For many people from Caorle, they were a small, certain element of summer evenings. Behind that dish was Amedeo Gnan's hard work and passion: large pots on the stove, the sauce slowly simmering, and the experience of someone who knew every step of the preparation perfectly.

The number "83", as many thought over time, did not indicate a year, but the number of the pasta shape used.

Even today, many have tried to replicate that recipe, but those who lived through those years know that the secret wasn't just in the ingredients.

It was in the atmosphere of the Sporting, in the people who frequented it and in the summers of a Caorle that was growing along with its tourism.

This is why Pennette all'83 has remained in the memory of so many: not just as a dish, but as a piece of the history of Sporting and Caorle."

2000s - 2015

In the early 2000s, Sporting underwent one of the most significant transformations in its history. A major renovation and expansion completely redesigned the structure, giving it the look that still characterizes the venue today.

The food preparation areas are significantly expanded and modernized, further improving the quality of service and culinary offerings. At the same time, the guest rooms are being enlarged, making the restaurant more welcoming and suitable for hosting an ever-increasing number of guests during the summer season.

During those years, Sporting's leadership alternated with figures who left an indelible impression on customers and staff: among them the charismatic Mr. Raf, Samuele, world cocktail champion and a key figure in the club's life, and Ernesto, who contributed with professionalism and passion to consolidating Sporting's success.

One of the most significant innovations was the opening of a second kitchen upstairs, specializing in grilled meat dishes. Its dishes quickly won over the public, becoming a go-to place for residents and tourists seeking quality, flavor, and a friendly atmosphere, along with a culinary offering that differs from the local cuisine.

These were years of great excitement. The Sporting Club became the natural meeting point for the events that animated the western area: tennis tournaments, sailing regattas, powerboat races organized by the nearby Darsena dell'Orologio, parties, gala dinners, award ceremonies, and musical evenings took place throughout the season.

The terraces, gardens, and restaurant rooms filled every evening with families, athletes, crews, shipowners, tourists, and friends who found the Sporting a place to feel good, have fun, and share special moments.

At that time, Sporting wasn't just a restaurant: it was the beating heart of Caorle Ponente. A place capable of combining sports, tourism, gastronomy, and socializing, it became a hub for entire generations and significantly contributed to the neighborhood's growth and identity.

RECENT YEARS

Chef Ljubica

Among the figures who have left an important mark on the recent history of Sporting, Chef Ljubica certainly deserves a special mention.

Starting from the experience he gained at Sporting, Ljubica embarked on a professional path that led him to the pinnacle of Italian and international cuisine.

Today he is a key figure in Balkan gastronomy and hosts the popular MasterChef Serbia show, confirming a talent that he had already expressed with great personality in Caorle.

His cuisine represented a meeting of different worlds: on one hand, the maritime tradition of the Upper Adriatic, fresh fish, and the simple recipes of the fishermen of Caorle and the lagoon; on the other, a constant technical and creative research capable of transforming local ingredients into refined and contemporary dishes.

These were the years when Sporting began to position itself as a gastronomic destination for those seeking a more refined culinary experience, without sacrificing its popular roots and the welcoming atmosphere that has always distinguished it.

The events and initiatives promoted by Chef Ljubica also received great acclaim, bringing guests, collaborations, and international events to the Sporting, further expanding the restaurant's reputation.

The Return of the Impallomeni Family

In 2023, management of the Sporting Club will return directly to the Impallomeni family, the facility's historic owners.

With enthusiasm, passion, and a strong connection to the local tradition, a major revitalization process is underway, aiming to enhance what has been achieved over the past decades while also opening up new prospects for the future.

The goal is clear: to restore the Sporting Club to its role as a landmark for western Caorle, preserving its historic roots and its identity as a meeting place for residents, tourists, families, and foodies.

Sporting - a place of culture and meeting

In 2024, the Sporting will also be transformed into a space dedicated to art, culture, and dialogue between different eras.

Throughout the season, a series of events, exhibitions, and meetings will feature historical figures, artists, and symbolic figures from the past and present, in a sort of ideal "cultural circle" capable of combining entertainment, dissemination, and memory.

Among the protagonists of the initiatives are extraordinary figures such as Guglielmo Marconi, grandson of the eponymous pioneer of modern telecommunications; Vittoria Colonna di Stigliano, a symbol of the Roman aristocracy; Michele Mirabella, a well-known figure in Italian culture and popularization; Rosa Mundi with her evocative Armillary Spheres; and Francesco Guardi, evoked through the famous work "The Bucintoro's Departure to San Nicolò di Lido," one of the most iconic images of the Serenissima.

Of particular interest is the exhibition dedicated to Ernest Hemingway, a Nobel Prize-winning writer deeply connected to these lands. Hemingway often visited the fishing valleys of Caorle, where he was a guest of Baron Franchetti at the San Gaetano estate, and where he found inspiration for some of his stories and his Venetian experiences.

The beauty contests, such as Miss Perla and Miss Grand International, held periodically at the Sporting, are very attractive and popular. The girls parade in the Sporting's portico in front of the numerous patrons and the judges' table.

These initiatives demonstrate Sporting's desire to be more than just a restaurant, but also a place capable of enhancing the history, culture, and identity of the area, helping to keep alive the connection between past, present, and future.

The journey continues today, with new projects, new ideas, and the same passion that has accompanied the history of Sporting and the Caorle community since 1973.