La Nucía, a town increasingly recognized as a hub for Spanish sport, recently hosted a national training camp aimed at developing the country’s next generation of badminton stars. From March 12th to 15th, young athletes in the Under-11 and Under-13 age groups converged on the Alicante municipality for intensive training as part of the Spanish Badminton Federation’s ongoing development program.
The camp focused on honing the technical, tactical and physical skills of promising young players, a crucial step in identifying and nurturing talent within the national structure. For many of these athletes, this concentrated period of instruction represents a significant opportunity to accelerate their progress and gain valuable experience.
The intensive training sessions were led by a team of experienced coaches, including Danish expert Lennart Engler, Spanish national director Arturo Ruiz, assistant director Ernesto García, and Lucía Galvín, the federation’s head of technical development. Fran Olivares provided administrative and logistical support throughout the four-day camp.
A total of 24 young athletes participated, with the Under-13 group consisting of Lucas Alonso, Eneko Rodríguez, Daniel Chasco, Hugo Quirós, Biel Garrell, Mateo Amor, Pablo Fernández, Joel Hernando, Joel Alonso, Ekain Vicente, Telma Ruso, Nuria Pérez, Ruth Mercader, Lucía Rodríguez, Raquel Piedra, Eva Lemos, Suevia García, Lola Fernández, Izarbe Ara, and Vega López. The Under-11 contingent included Pablo López, Eduardo Muñoz, Elisa Salomon, and Lourdes Vicente.
Beyond the on-court drills, the camp too provided a valuable forum for knowledge sharing and collaboration between coaches and athletes from different regions of Spain. This emphasis on community and shared learning is a key component of the Spanish Badminton Federation’s development philosophy.
The choice of La Nucía as the host city is no accident. The town has established itself as a premier destination for sporting events, having previously hosted summer training camps and international tournaments such as the Iberdrola Spanish International Absolute and Under-19 championships in 2021. La Nucía’s state-of-the-art facilities and welcoming environment make it an ideal location for nurturing athletic talent.
Local officials also showed their support for the event, with Sergio Villalba, the town’s sports councilor, and Pepe Brotons, Director of the Estadi Olímpic La Nucía, visiting the camp to meet the young athletes and coaches. Their presence underscored the local community’s commitment to supporting the development of badminton in Spain.
This national training camp represents a vital investment in the future of Spanish badminton. By providing young players with access to top-level coaching and a supportive training environment, the Spanish Badminton Federation is laying the groundwork for continued success on the international stage. These types of concentrated camps are considered essential for identifying and developing players who could one day represent Spain in major competitions like the Olympics and World Championships.
The program, known as Team España Futuro, aims to detect, monitor, and develop talent with the potential for future success. This latest camp builds on previous initiatives and reinforces the collaborative efforts between the federation, clubs, and regional badminton associations.
Several players participating in the camp have already demonstrated significant potential. Vega López, for example, previously participated in a similar camp in December 2025, alongside Pedro Jesús Carmona Montoro and her brother, Álvaro López. This continued participation highlights the federation’s commitment to providing consistent support for promising young athletes.
The camp wasn’t solely focused on the athletes; it also served as a professional development opportunity for the coaches involved. The opportunity to operate alongside international experts like Lennart Engler and share best practices with colleagues from across Spain will undoubtedly benefit the overall quality of badminton coaching in the country.
Looking ahead, the Spanish Badminton Federation will continue to monitor the progress of these young athletes and provide them with opportunities to further develop their skills. The next steps for many of these players will likely involve competing in regional and national tournaments, with the ultimate goal of earning a place on the Spanish national team.
The success of this camp in La Nucía underscores the importance of investing in youth development and creating a supportive ecosystem for emerging athletes. As Spain continues to build its badminton program, these types of initiatives will be crucial in ensuring a bright future for the sport.
What are your thoughts on the future of badminton in Spain? Share your comments below, and let us know what you think it will take for Spanish players to achieve even greater success on the world stage.
