More than 3,500 children from across the Marina Alta came together this month to celebrate the end of another successful season of regional school sports leagues, marking the culmination of a programme that has been encouraging participation, teamwork and healthy lifestyles for more than three decades. Organised through the Xarxa Esportiva and coordinated by MACMA, the end-of-season events took place in Els Poblets and Gata de Gorgos, bringing together young athletes, coaches, families and local officials to recognise achievements both on and off the field.
A season packed with sporting action The 2025/26 campaign began last October and featured 11 different regional leagues covering a wide range of disciplines. Young participants competed in athletics, basketball, mountain biking, chess, futsal, rhythmic gymnastics, swimming, padel, Valencian pilota, tennis and volleyball. Additional sporting encounters also took place for pre-benjamin basketball players, adapted sports participants and multi-sport activities. The leagues are designed to offer children of all abilities the opportunity to take part in organised sport within a safe and inclusive environment. By keeping
travel distances shorter and costs lower than many federated competitions, the programme allows more families to get involved. Two days of celebrations To accommodate the large number of competitors, organisers held separate closing ceremonies for team and individual sports. The first event took place in Els Poblets and focused on team competitions. Trophies and medals were awarded to top-performing basketball, futsal, volleyball and pilota teams, while participants also enjoyed friendly matches and recreational activities. A second celebration was held at the Les Costeres sports complex
in Gata de Gorgos, where athletes competing in individual sports were recognised for their performances throughout the season. The top three finishers in each discipline received awards during a festive morning attended by local representatives from across the region. More than just winning Organisers say the leagues are about far more than results. The programme aims to promote healthy habits, encourage regular physical activity and help children build friendships with youngsters from neighbouring towns. As another season draws to a close, the Marina Alta school
leagues continue to demonstrate the power of grassroots sport to bring communities together. With thousands of children taking part each year, the initiative remains one of the region’s most successful examples of youth participation and community collaboration.
Marina Alta, school sports leagues, Xarxa Esportiva, MACMA, Els Poblets, Gata de Gorgos, 3500 young athletes, youth sport, grassroots