Barcelona Rink Hockey Opens Preseason Camp to Fans in Andorra's Encamp

FC Barcelona's rink hockey team opened its preseason training session to the public in Encamp on Wednesday afternoon, drawing around 50 fans, mostly children and young people, to the Complex Esportiu.

The visitors filled the stands with cheers and applause as the players completed a demanding workout under coach Ricard Ares. The squad distributed club flags to the crowd, which waved them during the session focused on physical, tactical, and video exercises. Captain Xavi Barroso said the camp helps the team bond, reconnect, and build rhythm amid a heavy training load.

The stay in the Andorran parish began on Monday and will run through Saturday, with the final session marking their departure. Ares praised Encamp's facilities, surroundings, and welcome as an "absolute privilege," calling the week ideal for preparation ahead of an "exciting and ambitious" season where the team aims to compete at the highest level.

Earlier Wednesday morning, the group visited the Solanelles area of Grandvalira, posing for photos by the Ossa sculpture. The previous day, they met with local youth from Encamp's youth services. These activities align with a collaboration agreement between the club and the parish, marking the third of four planned stays this year—following visits by other Barça sections, with basketball scheduled for September.

Encamp's mayor, Laura Mas, highlighted the parish's push for sports tourism, noting 6,000 sports-related overnight stays so far this year, up from 8,000 last year across teams using local facilities. She credited investments in infrastructure, high-altitude training at Pas de la Casa, and team support for the growth, with the Barça deal as a key initiative.

The camp builds team unity and sharpens readiness for a campaign with title aspirations across six competitions, integrating new signings for peak form at the official start.