Being a herald is not a title, it is an honor for people who have left their mark, and this year the honor of proclaiming the patron saint festivities in honor of the Apostle San Bartolomé fell to the Zonzamas Handball Club "40 Years in the Heart of a Town", because behind each game, each board of directors, each player and fan, there is a society that believes in the strength of its own, that rises when necessary and that does not forget where it comes from.
Last Thursday night, the residents of San Bartolomé were notaries of a historic day with the reading of the proclamation by the Zonzamas Handball Club at 9:00 p.m. Isidro Pérez Martín, mayor of the municipality of San Bartolomé, welcomed those present with a full house at the Municipal Theater, inviting them to participate in the extensive program of events that Councilor Estefanía Luzardo and her entire team have prepared with such enthusiasm from the Department of Festivals.
On a historic night for the municipality and for the heralds, Isidro Pérez read a broad biography of the Zonzamas Handball Club from its beginnings to the present day, of how those beginnings were, not easy at all, and where the illusion, camaraderie and great effort carried out by the men and women who believed in the project and are currently reaping the rewards. This team of women have made history and have been promoted to the highest "Spanish Handball League" and will represent San Bartolomé throughout the national territory, being an example of how a small town has the capacity to do great things.
Next, the five representatives of the Zonzamas Handball Club in charge of reading the proclamation took the stage, beginning with Lorenzo Martín Acosta, founder of the first generation, absent from the event for family reasons; continuing with Lorena Rocío Bonilla, emblematic player and intermediate generation; Antonio González Elvira, former player, former coach and former president; María de León Álvarez, player and captain who reached the elite and ending with the interventions of Juan José Rivera Ortega, current president of the club.
After the interventions, the mayor, Isidro Pérez, and the Councilor for Festivals, Estefanía Luzardo, presented gifts to each of the representatives. Next, the players who have made history and have been promoted to the highest category of the "Spanish Handball League" and the coaching staff took the stage, where they were received by the public with resounding applause.
The institutional event was closed by Silvestre Ramírez . Quartet, a musical group formed by Silvestre Ramírez with the mandolin and lute, Misael Jordán on the guitar, Isidro Ramírez on the electric bass, Fernando García on percussion, counting on this occasion with two outstanding soloists, Ciro Corujo and Guacimara Montelongo. For the concert they chose varied musical genres from Latin America and the Canary Islands, receiving as a reward the applause of the public, supporting them at all times.
Club history
The Zonzamas Handball Club, based in the municipality of San Bartolomé, is an indisputable reference for Canarian and national handball. Its history dates back to the 70s, with the founding of the San Bartolomé Handball Club, a pioneering entity in the promotion of handball on the island. Since its inception, this institution played a key role in spreading the sport among young people, especially in schools, laying the foundations for what is today one of the most recognized youth academies in the archipelago.
It all started with a ball. In 1974, a couple of friends, fans of handball since their time at the old Arrecife institute, found a shared passion in this sport. With just a ball that they obtained almost anecdotally, they began to meet every afternoon at the facilities of the public school in San Bartolomé. There, between throws, laughter and improvised learning, what would later become a sports project with its own identity took shape.
That initial group grew, and over time the need to organize arose. Thus was born the first senior men's team, which participated in friendly matches due to the scarcity of official competitions. In 1976, the group took an important step: the first kit was acquired, the squad was consolidated and a senior women's team was also formed, which, although promising, failed to stay afloat due to the lack of tournaments in its category.
That same year, the first board of directors was officially constituted, chaired by José Antonio Navarro Grimón, under the name of San Bartolomé Handball Club. Over the years, the club adopted new names that marked different stages of its evolution: S.B. Ajei Handball Club and finally the current Zonzamas Handball Club.
During the first years, the senior men's team climbed categories. After three seasons in the First Provincial, in the 1984/85 season they achieved promotion to the Second National Division - Canary Group.
Throughout its history, the club has had committed presidents such as Alonso González, Jesús Manuel de León and Juan Ramón de León, who continued the legacy started by José Antonio Navarro Grimón.
CB Zonzamas continued its journey with other presidents, such as Lorenzo Martín, Antonio González, Samuel Fajardo, Manuel de León and currently with Juan Rivera. These people are the representation of many managers, coaches and collaborators, who worked for handball for more than 40 years, tirelessly in the municipality of San Bartolomé and have made it possible for us to celebrate our Anniversary this year. With the slogan: "Zonzamas Handball Club 40 years in the heart of a town".
Refoundation and consolidation of CB Zonzamas
In October 1985, after a period of evolution, growth and consolidation of handball in the municipality, the San Bartolomé Handball Club was refounded as the Zonzamas Handball Club. This new project brought with it a more ambitious, modern and organized structure, which from the first moment opted for a philosophy focused on gender equality, grassroots work and the promotion of local talent.
Since its refoundation, CB Zonzamas has been committed to developing male and female teams in all categories, actively promoting equal participation in sports. This policy has been one of the fundamental pillars of the club's identity.
Current structure of the club
Today, CB Zonzamas has a solid sports structure that allows it to offer continuity from the grassroots to the elite.
-A senior women's team in the Guerrera Iberdrola League.
-Two First Territorial teams, one male and one female.
-Grassroots and training schools in all categories, both male and female.
The club has consolidated itself as one of the most active and successful youth academies in the archipelago, thanks to a model based on comprehensive training, equality, discipline and passion for sport.
With a history marked by effort, overcoming and talent, the Zonzamas Handball Club represents the best of handball in the Canary Islands. From its origins as the seed of the sport on the island, to its recent achievements in the highest national category. The club has managed to remain true to its principles and evolve without losing its essence.
Today it is a symbol of pride for San Bartolomé and Lanzarote, and an example of how, from grassroots work, an elite sports project can be built with an impact throughout the country.
