The humble working-class district of the Carolinas, nestled in Alicante, hosts a charming courthouse just a few blocks from leafy courtyards and is home to a dedicated basketball program within the Culture and Sports Association (SCD) Carolinas. Celebrating its 74th year, the organization is returning to competition in the EBA League against some of Spain’s strongest clubs.
In the same location for 74 years, the club has offered sports to a hardworking and modest neighborhood like the Carolinas, a sentiment shared by the sports coordinator and first-team coach who helped found the club in 1949, one of Spain’s oldest active amateur outfits.
The Carolinas stands shoulder to shoulder with basketball giants
Strange track serves as a training ground for more than 100 players each year; the club directs the youth program, with plans to grow and adapt to the evolving realities of local youth while preserving its core identity.
A historic first team
For the third consecutive season, the senior team will compete in the EBA League, the third division of the Spanish Basketball Federation, marking the highest level the Carolinas have reached in more than seven decades of basketball.
The club’s leadership entered this year with enthusiasm and a steadier financial footing, yet they continue to face economic constraints when compared with other teams.
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For the coach, financial hurdles sometimes limit players, with many balancing jobs that affect training hours. Still, each player shows steadfast commitment, contributing in their own way.
The club’s leadership envisions cost-conscious innovations for this season, including efforts to reduce player expenses and minimize travel costs. Even small steps are viewed as meaningful progress for the team.
A working-class neighborhood
Data from INE and the Tax Office place the Carolinas among the city’s lowest-income districts, with annual household earnings around the mid-range of the city, illustrating the challenges the community faces as it preserves its identity and culture.
Local coaches emphasize the club’s social mission, including a safe space for youngsters to play sport and opportunities for education through sport. The club also participates in social initiatives such as anti-racism basketball initiatives and related community programs.
Continuing to compete at this level without dropping a category is noteworthy and valued, especially as the neighborhood faces increasing difficulties. The collective ambition remains to maintain competitiveness while staying true to the community roots.
Keep growing in the Carolinas
Most players are residents or neighborhood acquaintances, with several wearing the Carolinas jersey for many years, including long-time contributors who have grown with the club alongside family members.
The cradle of Alicante basketball
In this community, the bond with basketball runs deep. Many describe the club as a place where belonging and identity are shaped through sport, offering a unique local perspective on the game.
The club’s philosophy emphasizes understanding the sport in a distinctive way, cultivating a local culture that defines the Carolinas on and off the court.
The club aspires to field more teams across multiple categories, aiming to enroll a broad base of players. Yet sustaining high participation remains a challenge due to personal, economic, and educational factors. The ambition is to keep growing and engaging the community while maintaining a strong sense of community spirit.