Two podium finishes for the Valencia squad in the Spanish Petanque Championship ensemble event
The Alicante region’s young pétanque players refuse to bow out of the spotlight. They are determined to shed the stereotype that this sport is a pastime only for seniors. This renewed energy from Alicante clubs is reshaping perceptions and inspiring a new generation to pursue high-level competition.
Last year, the teams CP Rojales and CP Elche delivered a historic performance at the Spanish Championship held in Viator, Almeria. As the season progresses, news arrives that at the end of April a Valencia-based team, made entirely of players from Alicante, was announced as a contender for the Autonomous Communities of Spain championship glory. This development underscores the growing strength of Alicante’s pétanque talent and signals a broader regional ascent in national events. [Citation: Alicante Pétanque Federation]
Two podiums for the Valencia team at the Championship of Spanish Petanque Ensembles
With the Valencia squad climbing the podium, analysts note a pronounced surge in competitiveness from players rooted in Alicante’s pétanque culture. The team name linked to this ascent remains a focal point of regional pride and national interest, illustrating how young athletes from Alicante are seizing opportunities beyond local competitions. [Citation: Regional Sports Journal]
New milestones arrived this weekend as CP Elche, competing with the Alicante Delegation, reached the top of the podium. In the Spanish Triplets Championship staged on Isla Cristina in Huelva, the squad surpassed CP Rojales, overturning last year’s second place to claim the crown. Adrian Ponce, Oscar Rocamora and Marcos Perez advanced to the quarter-finals but were eliminated by the Madrid Federation in a tightly contested clash. [Citation: National Petanque Championship Almanac]
Double from Alicante at the Spanish Junior Petanque Championships
With Isamel Sencianes and Eusebio Salgado alongside Aarón García from the Las Trescientas de Elda Petanque Club, a notable leap came as new configurations formed the backbone of the junior effort. Raphael de Castro moved into a supporting role, and the trio began the event with a steady Swiss-system group stage, gradually sharpening their competitiveness as the playoffs approached. [Citation: Junior Championship Report]
They navigated the Swiss format before entering the knockout rounds, where they began to reveal their potential from round 16 onward and seized the title. The path included a decisive win over CP Baenense of Andalusia (13-6), followed by another strong performance against a Barcelona delegation (13-6) in the quarterfinals. A 13-10 victory over CP Montmeló in the semifinals paved the way to a dramatic final, where the Madrid Delegation claimed a 13-11 win but could not prevent Alicante’s team from leaving as champions in the eyes of many observers. [Citation: Spanish Junior Petanque Championship Recap]
In this round, Ismael Sencianes, Eusebio Salgado and Aarón García wore the red shirt of the Spanish champions and will continue to carry that tally of honors into the next season. The Alicante players have once again demonstrated high skill with the pétanque balls, signaling a bright horizon for the region’s program. Some standouts even hold potential to represent Spain on the world stage. The next World Championship is scheduled to take place in Thailand. [Citation: World Championship Preview]
Throughout the season, coaches and players from Alicante have worked together to build a pipeline of talent, blending disciplined practice with community support. The ongoing success across junior and open categories has attracted attention from national selectors and regional supporters alike. The momentum suggests a sustained rise in the status of Alicante pétanque on the national map. [Citation: Regional Development Report]