The event brought together 56 teams and nearly 400 children aged between 7 and 14, from various parts of the Basque Country and Navarra. Participants braved the summer sun by staying hydrated and cool thanks to the public facility's automatic irrigation.
The football field hosted up to nine grass handball courts, ensuring non-stop activity throughout the day. The event concluded with a final party featuring a mini-disco, alongside activities like face painting, traditional Basque sports (herri kirolak), and other games.
The event unfolded in a participatory and festive format, running from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM, where coexistence and enjoyment of the sport took precedence over competition, solidifying its status as a true end-of-season celebration for grassroots handball.
The strong state of women's handball in Álava was highlighted, with majority participation across all categories. Out of 56 registered teams, 30 were female, particularly in the U14 category where 12 out of 19 teams were female, showcasing the growth and consolidation of women's sports at the grassroots level.
Free registration included food for all players. The day also featured complementary activities such as herri kirolak exhibitions, live music, a DJ set, raffles, and an awards ceremony, along with a commemorative t-shirt for all participants.
Handball in Álava holds significant development potential, currently registering 157 licenses per 100,000 inhabitants, a figure lower than Gipuzkoa's 613. The Grass Handball Day is part of a strategy to boost the sport.
The president of the Alavesa Handball Federation, Roberto Escaño, emphasized that while "the situation is not what we would like, the growth potential is enormous." He added, "For this project to be real and have continuity, we need the support of the institutions of Vitoria-Gasteiz and Álava."
