Elche’s City Council celebrated a vibrant year for grassroots sport, highlighting a season filled with remarkable achievements across diverse disciplines. At a reception yesterday afternoon in the Altamira Palace Patio de Armas, the mayor, Carlos González, publicly acknowledged the tireless efforts of young athletes, coaches, club representatives, and the families who stand behind them. The gathering underscored how ongoing community support has turned Elche into a model for grassroots sport, where participation and excellence in local leagues translate into a broader culture of healthy living, teamwork, and community pride.
The event was attended by the Sports Mayor, Vicente Alberola, along with Education Council Member, María José Martínez. Their remarks emphasized the values of dedication, discipline, and teamwork demonstrated by nearly a hundred athletes who have risen through local clubs. The mayor and sports authorities extended sincere thanks and presented small tokens of appreciation to the standout young athletes from the Alevi category, recognizing not just results but the steady improvement, sportsmanship, and leadership they have shown throughout the season.
Among the highlights, the Sales Club ElcheYouth showcased a thriving ecosystem where youth development blends competitive success with lifelong skills. The Men’s Youth Team earned the title of Spain Champion, while the Youth Team finished as runners-up, reflecting the high level of coaching, club infrastructure, and supportive networks that foster top-tier performance. Other clubs also reported notable breakthroughs: Elche Tennis Club members achieved several individual milestones in swimming and tennis, while Elche Handball Club celebrated strong results with its women’s youth team placing fourth nationally and the boys’ team securing sixth place. These outcomes illustrate a broad spectrum of achievement across sports, reinforcing Elche’s reputation as a powerhouse of grassroots athletics.
Elche Swimming Club stood out with multiple championships and runner-up finishes, demonstrating depth across age groups. The Elche Handball Club’s broader program also featured encouraging performances, and the Algar Sports Club student team earned second place in Spain along with a number of individual Spanish titles. The Athletic Youth Club recorded additional successes, including the Spanish championship title won by Cristina Juan Torres during the season, underscoring the caliber of talent nurtured locally. In track and field, Decathlon Athletics Club added a silver medal to its growing cabinet, while Elche Volleyball Club celebrated a strong showing in the national group championship, and Elche Skating Club continued to collect national podiums in various events. Fid Kids Club Esade also added several championships and sub-champions to its growing list of accolades, illustrating the breadth of Elche’s grassroots ecosystem.
The evening culminated with the mayor’s encouragement for boys and girls to keep pursuing sport with passion and resilience, to learn from every competition, and to enjoy the everyday joy of training, teamwork, and advancement. A final family photo captured the moment, sealing the sense of shared achievement and forward momentum that characterizes Elche’s grassroots sports movement and the ongoing commitment of the city to nurture young talent across disciplines.