Spanish coach Pedro Espeleta has taken charge of the junior squash team.

Pedro Espeleta has dedicated most of his life to squash. He has been a player, Spanish champion, coach, and now he has become the coach of the junior national team. This is a new stage for him and a great honor, as he loves his job very much. Pedro has been helping young talents develop for 15 years, and has been playing squash for 27 years in total. He says it's "a reward for perseverance."

"When Borja Galán, the best player in Spain and head coach of the national team, called me and offered me the position, I immediately agreed. It was unexpected, but I understand what a great responsibility it is," says Espeleta. He will work with promising players who will represent Spain in international competitions, including the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, where squash will be featured for the first time.

Currently, Pedro coaches young people at a tennis club in Tenerife, but he doesn't forget about the racket and competitions himself. He recently took fifth place at the European Veterans Championship (over 35 years old) and is already planning a trip to the 2026 World Championship in Australia, where he wants to show his best result. However, he understands that this requires financial support: "These trips are not paid for by sponsors, although we receive some small assistance. When you go to the other side of the world to represent Tenerife, you need support. After all, we represent Tenerife and Spain in squash."

Squash is not very popular in the press, but it has been steadily developing in the Canary Islands for the last 10 years. Espeleta says that this is happening "from within," thanks to the enthusiasm of the players, and not thanks to external support. "The sport itself captivates children," he concludes. He proudly mentions the names of Alberto Mateo, Daniel Medina, Juan Arias, Sofia Gutiérrez, Pablo Marrero, and Javier Muñoz – talented players who grew up on the islands and are already among the best in the country.

"These children have been holding a racket in their hands for years, some since they were five years old," he says, "so you understand that this is not a quick job." He also emphasizes the importance of healthy competition between clubs: "Children from the tennis club compete with children from the Royal Maritime Club, and vice versa. This rivalry stimulates development." Over the past year, the number of students at the Tenerife tennis club has increased by 30%, and this applies not only to children but also to adults.

The inclusion of squash in the 2028 Olympic Games has given new hope to the entire community. "This has been dreamed of for a long time. This is a reward for the work of many federations and schools," says Espeleta. He is optimistic about the chances of the Spanish team: "Currently, the best players are Iker Pajares, Bernat Jaume, Edmon López, and Iván Pérez, and among the girls are Marta Domínguez, Cristina Gómez, and Ona Blasco." He adds that it is not yet known whether there will be restrictions by country or continent, and this will be known at the end of the year. "When we understand the criteria, we will develop a two-year plan," he explains. When asked about the prospects for squash in the Canary Islands, he answers cautiously, but singles out Iván Pérez, whom he has been coaching since childhood: "I dream of seeing him at the Olympics."

And what awaits squash in the Canary Islands in the future? "In five or ten years, everything can change," says Espeleta, urging not to rush. He recalls how in his youth, Canarian players were feared at the Spanish and European championships, but then there was a decline. "Hopefully, things will go up. We have the experience not to repeat mistakes," he says. His goal is to strengthen squash on all the islands of the archipelago: "We want to bring major competitions to the Canary Islands, not only to Tenerife or Gran Canaria, but also to other islands."

Pedro Espeleta will start working as the national team coach in a few weeks, and he already has training camps planned in Santiago and León.