The First Minitrinquet: Tradition and Youth in Valencian Pilota
The Story of the Minitrinquet
In the 1970s and 1980s, pilota valenciana needed to pay more attention to younger players, as it was becoming difficult to complete teams for championships alongside professionals. In this context, the idea emerged to build a minitrinquet at the Balmes School in Guadassuar, with the aim of bringing the sport closer to young people and promoting their development from an early age, combining education and tradition.
Julián de la Fuente, the school’s headmaster originally from Cuenca, saw that his students could benefit from learning a Valencian sport that, until then, had been mostly reserved for adults. With the collaboration of enthusiast Bernardo Solís, known as Cirilo, and the support of professional players of the time such as Genovés I, Eusebio, Xatet II, Juliet, Fredi, and others, weekend classes and practice sessions were organised, along with a charity event to fund the construction of the minitrinquet. Thanks to this collective effort, the project was completed in just a few months and officially inaugurated on June 25, 1980, becoming a key educational and sporting milestone for Guadassuar and the Ribera region.
The inauguration of the minitrinquet was celebrated as a grand festivity. That morning, a highly anticipated mano a mano match between legends Juliet and Rovellet was held. In the afternoon, a festival featured some of the best players of the era, including Genovés, Eusebio, Fredi, Xatet II, Vicente, and Vicentico. Over five hundred people attended the communal lunch, where Restaurante Galbis prepared its famous “paella de las mil plazas” (paella for a thousand guests). Schoolchildren offered gifts to the players, including Paco Genovés and Enriquito d’Alzira, trinqueter of Guadassuar, while Eugeni Tuzón, Pelayo’s businessman, gave a speech alongside Julián de la Fuente, the driving force behind the entire initiative. The outcome of the matches was anecdotal — that day, everyone was a winner. Still, Genovés and Pepe, with Gómez as feridor, defeated Eusebio, Vicent, and Vicentico, while Fredi, Vinyes, and Gat I won against Antoniet, Xatet II, and Machí.
Today, Trinquet Pelayo continues the mission that began in Guadassuar — keeping the tradition of pilota valenciana alive and bringing it closer to new generations. Through workshops, exhibitions, and cultural activities, the trinquet blends history, fun, and education, ensuring that young people get to know the sport, learn its values, and enjoy it in an active way.
The first minitrinquet was not just a space for practising pilota, but a foundation for youth development and the inclusion of sport in education. Thanks to this initiative, pilota valenciana continues to grow, adapting to modern times without losing its essence and connection with the community.
Visiting Trinquet Pelayo allows you to discover this history, try out different styles of the game, and experience firsthand the cultural and sporting richness that pilota valenciana offers people of all ages. It’s a unique opportunity to learn, play, and become part of a living tradition — one that’s felt in every match, every hit, and every corner of this historic venue.