Sports activities are common throughout the year in the supporters’ clubs movement, but the arrival of summer always intensifies their presence. In recent days, and in some cases with the collaboration of the Confederació Mundial de Penyes, several supporters’ clubs have organised their own football tournaments. With different modalities and ages participating, some of them have been open to any fan who would like to take part.
Promotion of grassroots football
One of the events with the longest history is the 3×3 Tournament of the Penya Barcelonista Calaf i Comarca (Fed. Anoia, Alt Penedès i Garraf), which this year celebrated its 19th edition (the 15th as the Jordi Borràs Memorial) with record numbers. More than 350 players and 77 teams from the “baby” category took part in this four-day competition that every year revolutionises the Barcelona’92 Square in Calaf.
In the case of the Penya Blaugrana de Montmeló (Fed. Vallès), the protagonism was for female players in the VIII Tournament 12 Hours of Women’s Futsal. The penya, which for years has had women’s grassroots football, brought together more than 50 players divided into 5 teams. All of them played a full day of futsal at the Pavelló Pau Casals de Montmeló.
For all ages
Another supporters’ club that got the ball rolling was the Penya Blaugrana Anglès (Fed. Gironès, Selva, Garrotxa i Pla de l’Estany), with the 12 Hours of Kings Lliga Futsal at its town’s local pavilion. The penya was inspired by some of the rules of the popular Kings League to carry out a very dynamic tournament in which around 80 players of different ages took part.
The Penya Barça de L’Hospitalet de l’Infant (Fed. Tarragona Nord) also didn’t miss its appointment with the 17th Josep Seguer Tournament, this time focusing on veterans. Held at Camp de l’Arenal and with the support of the Confederació Mundial de Penyes, the triangular tournament pitted Reus Deportiu, PB Coma-Ruga ’95 and the host club against each other. It also paid tribute to the family of former FC Barcelona player Josep Seguer.
Finally, the Penya Blaugrana de Sant Cugat (Fed. Vallès) also invited the blaugrana veterans to organise, together with the Agrupació de Jugadors del FC Barcelona, the Triangular +50 Tournament at the Can Magí pitch. Around 40 former players from the various categories of FC Barcelona professional and grassroots teams took part. The day was a great success in terms of participation and organisation.
