In praise of Club Patí Vilafranca

Douglas Suttle

Vilafranca

I’ve noticed something about this country; you’re all football crazy, football mad. It’s not surprising. Football Club Barcelona represents Catalonia like nothing else and, it has to be said, they’re rather good at the game. Of course, it begs the question – “yeah they can knock five past Real Madrid, but how would they fair on a rainy Monday night in Stoke?” However, there are other sports around these parts and I lament the fact that they often get completely overshadowed by Messi et al. Take hockey, for example. It is a sport with a proud history in this country and a number of great teams. On Sunday, Cafès Novell Club Patí Vilafranca Capital del Vi (catchy name) bid to write their names in the history books of the sport. I’m a great fan of the sport and our local team and I’m sad to say that they were thwarted at the last hurdle by a determined Barcelos team and an even more determined pair of referees. They lost 6-3 in the final in Portugal. However, being an Englishman and somewhat an expert in sporting disasters, I have to say that this was not one of them. The team played magnificently and represented our town with passion and pride. It was great to see. I went with a friend to Casino to watch the semi-finals and it was fantastic to see the people turn out to cheer on the team and players with whom they have shared beers and grown up. And, for me, that’s what it’s all about. The players represent a local team that is sponsored by a local company and plays a sport that has its roots in Catalonia. However, fans of the sport are very much in the minority. It’s a pity. It’s a great club and a very exciting sport to watch (not quite as exciting as watching cricket, but then, what is?). Being in the pavilion on a Saturday night is great and watching the drums being pounded and the crowd chanting their support is a real community experience. Pity we’re so few. Next time you’re looking for something to do, get down to the pavilion, have a few beers and watch a great sport in need of more recognition.