In 2007, the Penya Barça Cambrils, belonging to the Federació de Penyes Barcelonistes de Tarragona Nord, had to face a mandatory change in its board of directors due to the departure of its members after many years at the head of the organization. It was then when a small group of women decided to accept the challenge and ensure the survival of the penya. Little by little, more members joined the project to complete a new board of 13 people, all of them women. Its president is Jordina Font Borràs, who explains how it all came about and the particularities of the Penya Barça Cambrils.
“We have never excluded men,” she says with a laugh, “in fact we offered to enter the board to a man who had been interested, but finally we stayed this group of women who already knew each other from the penya”. In addition, it so happens that when someone has left the board during this time, it has always been another woman who has taken her place, so this 100% female structure has been maintained. And, in principle, it is not expected to change, since it is the members of the penya themselves who ask that it stays like this. “In any case, if now there was a man asking us to join the Board, there would be no problem,” assures Jordina Font.
Same passion, but with a different mentality
The president explains that internally they have always distributed the work by areas (headquarters, treasury, travel, events…), but that in the end the decisions end up being taken by all of them. “More than the fact that we are all women, the key to the smooth running is that we all know each other and have been linked to the penya for a long time,” she explains. And this is because the Penya Barça Cambrils is like a tradition, as it has passed through several generations of families of Cambrils as part of their lives. In fact, Jordina’s grandfather, Josep Font, was the first president of the organization in 1961, and she has been a member of the penya since she was born. In addition, her sister Teresa is the vice-president.
Asked if this female leadership brings a different vision to the penya, Jordina has no doubts: “Absolutely. For example, in the organization of events or activities we bring different ideas and take care of the details in a special way, and in general we are especially concerned that things are done well” . This is what she believes, and this is confirmed by the feedback they receive from the penya members, who congratulate them on their dedication. “That being said, we’re just as passionate and fanatical as any lifelong Barça fan,” she exclaims.
More women in the penyes
Regarding the female presence in the penya, Jordina explains that the Penya Barça Cambrils is already very familiar and there have always been female members. “Anyway, it is true that seeing women in charge of the site or activities makes other women feel especially comfortable, and also initiatives for all ages have helped,” he says. In this sense, she believes that, if at a general level the penyes were to promote more social activities or more family-oriented environments, the number of female football fans who would be interested in joining them would increase.
And how about becoming president? Jordina Font is aware that there are few female penya presidents, and even fewer if we are talking about an entire board of directors like hers, but she hopes that this can change. “I don’t think it’s related to a sexist issue, since in my case I’ve never felt belittled for being a woman, but there is a question of family conciliation that makes it more complicated for women to invest the time and dedication that comes with presiding over a penya,” she explains. “I understand that the football environment can sometimes push back, but in the end a supporters’ club involves many more things than watching or attending matches, especially if it works at a community or family level, as ours does,” she adds.
She also admits that the success of women’s football, and in particular FC Barcelona, has increased the interest of women, especially the younger ones, but she does not consider this to be exclusive. In fact, she makes it very clear that “as a woman, I follow the women’s team just as I follow the men’s team, the handball team and the other FC Barcelona sports sections, just as many men also support the women’s team”. In fact, the members of the penya are increasingly going to the Johan Cruyff stadium or the Palau Blaugrana to support all the Barça teams, as well as the men’s first team.
A penya with a bright future
After the impact of the 2020 pandemic, Jordina Font explains that the Penya Barça Cambrils is in the process of growing again and that their goal is to organize more social activities, such as a hiking group, craft workshops or other options. She believes that this way the penya can continue to attract more people.
On the other hand, they will also continue the important solidarity work they carry out, such as their actions for the fight against ALS (highlighting the swim crossing “Swim for ALS”) or against childhood cancer (collaborating with the project “Petits Valents”). In addition, every year, on the occasion of “La Marató de TV3”, they organize a solidarity vermouth together with the local RCD Espanyol penya, the Penya Blanc i Blava de Cambrils, with whom they have a very good relationship. “These initiatives immediately have the massive support of our supporters; it is our idiosyncrasy, and also that of all Cambrils,” he says.
On April 1, the Penya Barça Cambrils will celebrate its 64th anniversary, which places it as one of the longest-lived supporters’ clubs of FC Barcelona. And it will do so with the drive and desire to continue spreading blaugrana passion that radiates from its 13 female directors. “We do not make a flag of it or use it as a claim, but we are very proud of our work at the head of the penya,” concludes Jordina Font. Today, they are an exceptional case, but we hope they will soon cease to be so.
