The Endavant family enjoyed a fun and emotional ceremony hosted by Carlos Latre and Mónica Benavent
Villarreal CF celebrated the 25/26 Endavant Gala in style. An unforgettable and very special ceremony took place at the Paranimf of the Jaume I University (UJI), bringing together more than 500 people connected to Endavant, the club and foundation’s CSR and sustainability programme.
A strong representation of association members and professionals, institutional representatives, athletes from the province of Castellón and authorities enjoyed an entertaining show that not only recapped the main Endavant initiatives but also featured well-deserved awards, brilliant performances and moments of great emotion. The format, which was already a complete success last season, brought the entire Endavant family together for the first time.
Endavant rallies support after flooding in Valencia and breaks all records
For more than two decades, Villarreal CF, in collaboration with its foundation, has been supporting the province of Castellón through the Endavant programme. This CSR project aims to promote the province through multiple areas of action: Endavant Esports (support local sport), Endavant Solidaritat (social initiatives), Endavant Província (tourism and regional traditions), Endavant Formació (education and research), Endavant Club Groguet (activities for young fans), Endavant Cultura (cultural support), Endavant Sostenibilitat (sustainable development) and Endavant Igualtat (mentoring and experiences with special associations).
In response to the flooding in Valencia and its devastating consequences, Villarreal CF increased the budget for charitable causes fivefold this year, focusing in particular on rebuilding sports facilities in the areas affected by the weather disaster that struck the south of Valencia.
This season, the club has allocated €3.5 million to the Endavant programme, directly impacting more than 50,000 people. A total of 90 associations, two universities, one secondary school, 200 activities for children across the province, 29 clubs, 22 individual athletes and eight sports competitions involving around 14,000 athletes have benefited from this ambitious programme led by Villarreal CF.
A brilliant show by Carlos Latre and Mónica Benavent
The gala, hosted by local comedian and presenter Carlos Latre and sports journalist Mónica Benavent, welcomed over 500 attendees representing sports clubs, special associations and provincial institutions and centres.
The duo guided the audience through a gala full of jokes and special moments. Latre even performed a small show, making the audience laugh with his impressions of sports personalities and other well-known figures from across Spain.
Villarreal CF president Fernando Roig, the club board, first-team coach Marcelino García Toral, and first-team captains Gerard Moreno, Alfonso Pedraza and Dani Parejo were all in attendance.
Authorities present included the Castellón Deputy Government Representative Antonia García, the Valencian Government Representative in Castellón Susana Fabregat, Vice-President of the Castellón Provincial Council Andrés Martínez, and LALIGA Presidential Cabinet Director Víctor Martín.
Awards, performances and emotional highlights
The event began with the hosts’ introduction and a speech by Antonia García, who praised Villarreal CF’s values and its vital contribution to the province.
Next, Villarreal CF presented the CEU Chair in Endavant Formació and the Torneo Interescolar (Inter-School Tournament), a major addition to the Endavant Club Groguet initiative. The club also announced that the final of the next edition of the Juegos Castellonenses, Endavant Província’s flagship activity, will be held in Vila-real.
Valencian group La Pelona, winners of the latest Groc Talent edition from Endavant Cultura, gave a brilliant musical performance, which was followed by an impressive routine of impressions by Carlos Latre that had the Paranimf audience in stitches.
Awards were presented to Peñíscola FS for winning the 2025 Copa de España and to Villarreal CF’s EDI (team with intellectual disbailities) for claiming the LALIGA Genuine championship, Spain’s leading inclusive competition. Both teams went on stage to celebrate with their trophies and received well-deserved recognition from the club.
To celebrate so many achievements, the Associació FENÒMENS from Benicarló performed a lively percussino show that lifted the audience’s spirits.
As last year, the 25/26 Endavant Gala included the presentation of a donation cheque, in collaboration with the Celtic Submarí supporters’ group, from the proceeds of the Fan Fest and the Cursa Solidària Celtic Submarí (Celtic Submarí Charity Race) in support of ASPANION (Association of Parents of Children with Cancer of the Regino of Valencia).
The event concluded with an emotional video about the flooding in, highlighting the club’s commitment of almost €3 million to support recovery. The video showcased the resilience and community spirit of the people in Valencia and the club’s direct actions to help those affected and rebuild the impacted areas.
With a closing speech, Villarreal CF president Fernando Roig brought the vibrant ceremony to an end, which concluded with a memorable family photo on the stage of the Paranimf of the Jaume I University.
