The Pioneering Soccer Family of the Canary Islands

Beach volleyball is a sport widely practised on the Islands and has been in vogue for over two decades. Numerous clubs have settled on the southern beaches of Tenerife, such as Los Cristianos and Las Vistas, to train their players for national and international competitions. One such example is Serfay, the first futvoley club established in the Canary Islands. Standing out as pioneers in this discipline, the club is unique for being a family affair: the Silva Vera family.

Futvoley is a sport that fuses soccer and volleyball, played with a net, two players per team, and a soccer ball. Originating in Brazil in the 1960s as a training method for soccer players, it later gained popularity and evolved into an independent sport. Quickly embraced by Brazilian culture, the country remains the global leader in this sport.

In Spain, futvoley started gaining traction towards the end of the 20th century, particularly in coastal regions where it was informally played. With time, clubs and associations dedicated to promoting and organising competitions emerged. Owing to the Islands’ favourable climate, this practice quickly gained popularity in the Canary Islands. Subsequently, local and regional tournaments were organised in response to the widespread interest. Currently, this sport has seamlessly integrated into the region’s sporting culture.

The Family Behind the Origins of Soccer in the Canary Islands

Sergio Silva, also known as Bocha, laid the foundation for Serfay almost 7 years ago. The name is derived from the initials of Sergio, Facundo, and Yosi, who not only are the star players of the club but are also his sons.

Facundo, one of the finest players in Spain’s futvoley history, excelled in soccer for several island teams, clinching consecutive European and Spanish championships and asserting his prowess in the global soccer arena: “Our aim is to conquer all,” he highlights.

Meanwhile, Yosi Silva is another standout player in Spain and Europe, securing a second-place finish in a Rome tournament a year prior and a recent quarterfinal appearance in Brazil. Her father now guides her as a coach, with training sessions at T3 in Adeje almost daily. “It demands preparation, sacrifices, hours at the gym, diets… It’s far from easy,” admits her trainer.

In earlier years, father and son triumphed together in Spain, bagging championships. With time, Bocha discerned that “his son was onto something different,” prompting Facundo to team up with Juan López, Spain’s premier player in the sport.

Silva concedes that there’s no match for Brazil, the dominant force in world futvoley. While Spain occasionally surprises them, Facundo concurs: “They stand head and shoulders above the rest!”

Thanks to this family’s commendable efforts, Tenerife has etched its place on the global soccer map, enabling the achievement of remarkable milestones. “People from Switzerland, Austria, and various corners of the globe come to us now for training and interactions,” Yosi reveals.

Sara and Lena, Switzerland’s two representatives on the international stage, have relocated to Tenerife to train with Yosi in recent months.

Despite his stern coaching stance, Bocha exudes paternal pride when it comes to his two proteges’ accomplishments: “I demand a lot from them. It’s how they grow as professionals. Without understanding the fine line between being a parent and a coach, one cannot truly compete.” “I am extremely proud of them,” he remarks. According to the player, the father-coach relationship is pivotal: “This dynamic enhances our competitive edge!” states Yosi.

Additionally, this family-run club boasts a social media manager from within the family fold. Gabriela Vera, Bocha’s wife and mother to Facundo and Yosi, handles Serfay’s social platforms. “She’s the mastermind working behind the scenes,” confirm her children with a chuckle. Downplaying her impact, Gabriela claims, “They do all the hard work,” but her husband shakes his head in disagreement.