Villarreal’s U16s maintain close ties with this emblematic centre for the elderly in Vila-real thanks to Endavant Igualtat
Rosario González is one of the 120 people who live in the Virgen de Gracia retirement home in Vila-real. A centre for the elderly located a few metres from the Estadio de la Cerámica.
Like every morning, Rosario wakes up, along with the rest of the residents, with enthusiasm and energy to face a new day. The efforts of the hundred or so workers at the centre, dedicated to the care and attention of the elderly, make it much easier. At midday, as it is Monday, a bingo session is scheduled in which luck smiles on her and she wins a couple of gifts. “Look what a beautiful bracelet I have won,” she shares excitedly with her friends.
It looks like it’s going to be a great day. This afternoon is also special because ‘the boys from Villarreal’ are coming, as Rosario refers to the players from the Villarreal U16s (Cadete A), with whom they have monthly get-togethers thanks to the Endavant Igualtat initiative, promoted by the club so that teenage players from the academy can get to know other situations and not become isolated in the bubble that the world of football can sometimes become.
Shortly after lunch, Villarreal’s young talents arrived, accompanied by members of the coaching staff who, together with the centre’s psychologist, strive to create these intergenerational activities that provide necessary human values at all ages. After a first get-together between teenagers and seniors, in which they introduced themselves and forged the first bonds, this time it’s time for a bit of fun. The session will be enlivened by games and activities of various kinds: bowling, balloons, balls and hoops. Small groups of players and adults will share each activity and get ready to have a good time.
“Coming here enriches us a lot. After all, they are people who know a lot about life. They have a lot of experience and we try to learn from them.” says Adrián Vivó, a young forward. A boy from Vila-real who has been playing in the Villarreal CF youth academy all his life and knows the club’s philosophy well. “This type of experience is unusual in the world of football. They teach us the way of life and many of the experiences they have,” adds Vivó.
Rosario has been having fun in the balloon group and, by the end of the activity, she looked tremendously satisfied. “It is a tremendous joy for those of us who are here. I have two great-grandchildren who play football. The older one plays for Artana and the younger one, who is twelve, for La Vilavella. Being with the Villarreal boys inevitably reminds me of them,” explains the excited resident, who highlights the benefits of this type of coexistence between the Villarreal teams and special centres: “It gives us a lot of vitality and joy to spend time with them. Everything is nicer when they come to see us.”
Before having a snack, Rosario sincerely thanked Villarreal for their commitment to the Virgen de Gracia residence, a centre that maintains a close relationship with the Yellows thanks to the Endavant Igualtat initiative: “Villarreal cares about the elderly and it’s the best thing they can do. It gives life, joy and a lot of happiness.”
