Adein Tenerife Secures Top-Flight Survival Despite Budget Constraints and Legal Hurdles

The success of Santa Cruz Adein Tenerife Fundación CB Canarias in the wheelchair basketball Superliga is a remarkable story of resilience. Despite facing significant budget constraints, the club secured its place in the top national division with one round of matches still to play—an impressive feat given the challenges they faced.

The team finished the season in tenth place with five wins out of 21 matches. To understand this achievement, one must look at the difficult start to their season. The club only reached the elite level after a lengthy legal battle with the Administrative Court of Sport, which overturned a decision that had initially blocked their promotion. Because this resolution came after the season had already begun, the team had to compete with a roster and structure originally intended for a lower division, leaving them no time to make necessary adjustments.

Under the leadership of coach Tino Padrón, who took charge in September 2025, the team adopted a pragmatic approach. They focused on winning key games against direct rivals like Sureste, Vistazul, and Getafe. This strategy helped them manage the impact of heavy losses against the league’s top teams, which often operate with budgets five times larger than theirs.

Club president Ana Magali Rodríguez Palmero noted that the final result exceeded expectations, especially for a team debuting in such a demanding environment. Unlike the league’s fully professional clubs, most of Adein Tenerife’s athletes balance their sport with full-time jobs or academic studies.

Looking ahead, the club hopes to build on this success to ensure long-term stability. The coaching staff plans to keep the current core of the team together, with future signings depending on the club’s ability to secure funding. The goal is to ensure that this season’s survival is just the beginning of a lasting presence for the island in top-tier wheelchair basketball.