The weekend rhythm repeats across football fields in Spain. Boys, girls, and teens push their limits while frustrated parents call from the sidelines. Voices rise, players struggle to stay focused, and the pressure feels like a Champions League finale that stretches beyond a single match.
Alex Remiro, the reliable starting goalkeeper for Real Sociedad, chose a proactive path to halt the downward spiral. He joined forces with Football Más, an NGO focused on social and educational development through sport. In Gipuzkoa, the first stage of a year-long program centers on emotional regulation for families of young players at local clubs. Workshops and educational tools, guided by sports psychology experts, will support healthier dynamics both on and off the pitch.
Violence in the stands
The initiative stems from Remiro’s belief in football’s power to shape character for better and for worse. He sees both the positive and negative sides of grassroots sport and worries about violence that starts in the stands and reaches the field, even influencing eight-year-olds. Aytor Hernandez, the Executive Director of Football Más España, notes that the organization has spent fifteen years building life skills through football and play with communities across eleven countries.
The goal goes beyond stopping shouting and insults. It centers on aligning parent and child expectations. Children around age ten should play for love of the game, not because they dream of turning pro next season. The program will tailor content to the needs of each club or neighborhood, ensuring relevance and practical benefits.
2,500 children, 1,250 families
Remiro emphasizes the desire to provide targeted, specialized tools to navigate common football-related situations. The program will teach pressure management, conflict resolution, and sound decision-making. By engaging families with a team of experts, the project aims to prevent problems and support emotional well-being. The estimate includes about 2,500 boys and girls directly involved, 1,250 families, and a broader indirect reach of roughly 7,500 people.
Remiro expresses pride in collaborating with Football Más for social transformation. He notes that the mental aspect of the sport, cultivated through consistent practice, can strengthen young players on the path toward excellence.
Reflecting on his own journey, Remiro recalls moments when emotions rose and the value of professional guidance became clear. He has worked with a coach for around eight years, finding that structured support can resolve issues and foster maturity. Emotions can surface unexpectedly, and being prepared helps keep them manageable. The project aims to address these challenges head-on, contributing to healthier, more balanced development for young athletes.
The weekend scenes repeat across many Spanish fields. Young players, tired of the loud exchanges around them, strive to focus while parents and spectators voice opinions with intensity. The atmosphere sometimes feels like a high-stakes match, even when the actual game is far from it.
Alex Remiro, known for steady leadership between the posts, chose to push for a positive shift. He partnered with Football Más and other partners to implement a socio-educational program focused on emotional regulation for families of young players in Gipuzkoa. The plan will unfold over twelve months, using workshops and educational tools delivered by specialists in sports psychology.
Violence in the stands
The idea grows from Remiro’s view of the sport’s dual nature—the energy of the game and its potential to model behavior. He is deeply concerned about violence in stands, a habit that can be learned by impressionable youngsters and carried onto the field. Aytor Hernandez explains that Football Más España has dedicated fifteen years to building life skills through football across the globe, with programs touching eleven countries.
The project seeks to redefine expectations for both parents and children, underscoring that a ten-year-old should play for joy, growth, and teamwork rather than a future as a professional. Content will be customized to fit the needs of each club or neighborhood, ensuring practical application and lasting impact.
2,500 children, 1,250 families
The initiative aims to provide targeted tools to address real-life football scenarios. Students and their families will learn to manage pressure, resolve conflicts, and make informed decisions. With support from a team of experts, the program strives to prevent problems and promote well-being. The expected reach includes about 2,500 children, 1,250 families, and a wider audience of around 7,500 people.
Remiro is proud to participate in Football Más’s mission of social change. He notes that the mental aspect of football, cultivated through consistent training and guidance, can consolidate resilience among aspiring elites.
Remiro also reflects on his own emotional experiences, recognizing how professional guidance helped him grow. He has spent many years working with a psychologist and believes timely, proactive intervention is essential. If issues arise, addressing them promptly is crucial, and Remiro hopes to contribute to that approach as well.