Saturday morning brought the best of beach soccer to Galician youngsters.
Ahead of the second day of action at the Euro Beach Soccer League stage in Sanxenxo, a host of the sport’s leading lights headed down to Silgar Beach on Saturday morning to teach locals the tricks of the trade.
The Galicia region reserves a special place in its identity for beach soccer and, as ever, the sport sought to give something back as the Beach Soccer Foundation clinic came to town.
Spain team-mates Pablo, Cintas and Crhistian both attended along with Andrade and Petrony from world champions Portugal as children and young adults took part in shooting, passing and goalkeeping exercises with some of the world’s best players.
Galicia-born beach soccer legend Ramiro Amarelle was also involved on what was a hugely enjoyable morning for all concerned – as members of local associations Juan XXII and Nunez Mendez were taught new skills designed to improve confidence and inspire future generations to take part in the sport.
BSWW executive vice-president Joan Cusco was in the thick of the action and said: “As always, it’s great to see so many young people enjoying the benefits of beach soccer and gaining new skills.
“We’ve all been impressed by the matches so far in Sanxenxo but events such as these are truly the lifeblood of the sport.”
Former Spain captain Amarelle, a hugely popular figure in the region, added: “I said this week how special it is to have this tournament in my homeland and this symbolises that perfectly.
“Beach soccer is my life and to see everyone smiling and enjoying it, it’s very pleasing indeed.”
The Beach Soccer Foundation forms a key part of BSWW’s contribution to the sport and aims to make a key difference via environmental protection, such as awareness and recycling, as well as youth development and skin cancer awareness.
