Tag: mallorca

Remembrance and Identity: A British Expat’s Tale

I came to Mallorca back in 1990. Back then, I worked the summer seasons and went back home in the winter to look for work. My wife Rachael and I met at Pirates; she was Captain Scarlett and I was Captain Darling. We bought an apartment together in 1999, and once we had done that, we tended to stay here in the winters more and more. We got married in 2005 and moved to where we live now, and not long after that our first son, Jacob, was born. Three and a half years later our second son, Jude, arrived.

I class Mallorca as my home, but I have never once considered giving up my British passport and becoming a Spanish citizen. Having lived here for 35 years now, and my wife for slightly less, we could both apply for citizenship — but it’s not something we want to do. We have said to our sons that it’s entirely up to them what they decide.

My youngest, Jude — who you probably know is an aspiring footballer — said to me, “What if it comes to choosing England or Spain in football?” Now, firstly, he’ll be lucky to ever get into that position of course, but we can dream. If he ever did, I said it would be totally up to him. His choice right now is England.

He is also considering other avenues of work in case the football dream doesn’t materialise, which is something we have encouraged. Right now, he wants to go into the military or the fire service, and he would like to do that in the UK.

Working on the radio, I like to keep a keen eye on the news and particularly on things that are happening in the UK. I also listen intently to family and friends and what they have to say about the state of my country of birth. None of it right now seems to be positive.

A poll released only a few days ago from King’s College London reported that less than half of those polled (46%) felt proud of Britain, down from 56% in the past five years.

Remembrance Sunday was a couple of weeks ago — a day held annually on the second Sunday in November in the UK and other Commonwealth countries to commemorate the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian service members in all wars and conflicts. It is a time for national reflection, observed with acts of remembrance such as wearing poppies, attending ceremonies, laying wreaths, and observing two minutes of silence.

My nephew William was part of the RAF band playing at the Cenotaph. I was saddened to hear Alec Penstone, aged 100, who fought in World War II and has attended several remembrance events and appeared on ITV’s Good Morning Britain. When asked what his message was for Remembrance Sunday, he said:

“My message is, I can see in my mind’s eye those rows and rows of white stones, of all the hundreds of my friends who gave their lives. For what? The country of today? No, I’m sorry. The sacrifice wasn’t worth the result that it is now.”

Alec explained:

“What we fought for was our freedom, and even now, it’s a darn sight worse than what it was when we fought for it.”

Surely this can’t be right?

Mallorca’s Tourism Strategy: Diversification and Sustainability Goals

This past week has seen the World Travel Market in London, where the great and the good of the travel world descend on the Excel Centre to showcase their wares. Mallorca focused on diversification and sustainability as the new buzzwords, while the Government continues to fend off questions about tourismphobia.

There are three main travel markets in Europe: the WTM in London in November, Fitur in Madrid in January, and the ITB in Berlin in March. The majority of Mallorca’s tourist numbers come from three countries:

Germany: The largest single source market for tourists in Mallorca, accounting for around 40% of total tourist traffic. In 2024, estimates suggest over 5 million German visitors. Reports indicate that this year there has been a decrease in the number of German tourists.

United Kingdom: The second-largest market, typically making up around 26% of visitors. In 2024, there were an estimated 3.58 million British tourists. Reports suggest that the British helped save the summer season this year, with a slight decline in visitor numbers in July and August but a significant increase in September.

Spain: Domestic tourism from mainland Spain is also a key market, with approximately 1.8 million visitors estimated in 2024.

We are starting to see more and more visitors from other countries. In my concierge business, I have met and spoken with people from the USA, France, Italy, Austria, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Iraq, and Singapore. Next year, we are expecting flights from Canada, Abu Dhabi, and possibly South Africa.

For me, it is fundamental that we are represented at these travel markets. I often see comments online such as, “Why are we going when we’re always full?” and “Do we really need to spend this money?”

Marketing is crucial for sustainable growth — not just for attracting more visitors. It helps draw in a higher-spending demographic, which is something the Government is keen to encourage. It also helps spread tourism throughout the year and attracts people interested in different types of activities, helping to manage and reduce pressure during peak times. In addition, it can attract tourists with different needs and preferences, which in turn diversifies the local economy and ensures long-term stability.

Not being represented may not have a noticeable effect on tourism numbers in the short term, but you can be sure that in the long term, we would start to suffer. Competition among destinations is increasing, and according to the organisers of the WTM, London 2025 is expected to be the largest event in its 45-year history. Early indicators show significant growth, surpassing the more than 4,000 exhibitors from 2024, with an 8% increase expected.

Let’s be clear: tourism accounts for approximately 45% of Mallorca’s GDP, making it the island’s primary economic driver. The sector’s total impact is even greater, with analyses suggesting it influences up to 90% of the island’s economy through indirect effects on other industries. Most of us have a family member or friend who works in tourism.

Sustainability will be a vital part of our tourism strategy in the coming years. One change I would make immediately is to the tourist tax — I would charge a fixed fee all year round for every traveller.

At the moment:

• Under-16s don’t pay.

• Rates vary depending on the type of accommodation.

• There’s a 50% reduction if you stay longer than nine nights.

• It’s discounted during the low season.

Let’s be in no doubt: the island’s beauty must be maintained for generations to come — but we should also be proud of what we have. I’ve said it before, and I’ll keep saying it:

We are a beautiful island of contrasts — from the stunning beaches in the north to the mountains of the west, the caves and coves of the east, and the bustling nightlife of the south. There is something here for absolutely everyone.

If ever there was a destination built for tourism, it’s our island. It hasn’t been one of the most popular islands in the world for the past 50 years for nothing. In my opinion, it remains one of the best places to live and one of the best holiday destinations anywhere.

We can boast turquoise-blue waters, secret coves, soft golden sands, lush green landscapes, rugged mountains, picturesque villages, amazing cuisine, an up-and-coming wine industry, vibrant nightlife, and a lively capital city. And we’re just a couple of hours’ flight from most major European cities — right in the heart of the Mediterranean.

As someone who lives and works here, I see Mallorca’s magic every single day — in the people, the landscapes, and the memories our visitors take home. If we can combine smart marketing with genuine care for our environment and communities, I have no doubt that Mallorca will continue to shine as the jewel of the Mediterranean for decades to come.

Mallorca’s Extreme Weather: Lessons from Recent Storms

The weather has been hitting the headlines here for all the wrong reasons over the last couple of weeks. The islands were hit badly by the storms, with Ibiza probably getting the worst of it.

I really believe we are sleepwalking into another flooding disaster, like the one we experienced back in 2018 here in Mallorca. If you can’t remember that awful night seven years ago, here’s an excerpt from my blog at the time:

“Thoughts and prayers are with the people of San Llorenç and the surrounding areas this week. Living on a holiday island, you never expect us to be hit by the kind of storm that hit last Tuesday. Shocking videos and pictures were all over social media, and I think the realisation of how bad it was only dawned the following morning. Thirteen people tragically lost their lives, making it one of the worst natural disasters here on record.”

That storm happened at night, and the true devastation it caused only really became apparent the morning after. I don’t think even the word apocalyptic describes it — it was truly shocking.

The storms were caused by an extreme weather event with a massive amount of rainfall, exacerbated by factors including the town’s geography, existing infrastructure, and the difficulty of accurately forecasting the disaster. There was also a subsequent discussion about potential shortcomings in the emergency response and planning.

So here we are, seven years later — and what have we learned? Well, after talking to my Talking Balearics podcast partner, Martin Makepeace, who lives in Ibiza, the answer is: precious little. Ibiza bore the brunt of it, and the warnings that did come arrived too late. Martin, like me, has a blog called Man in San An.

He wrote:

“Saturated streets, mudslides, rockfalls, collapsed roofs, DC10 underwater, UNVRS without power, flights missed, cars submerged, tunnels full of water, the port of Ibiza cascading with water as passengers disembarked up to their knees, and the two most important hubs of the island – the airport and hospital – both leaking like a sieve. This was a generational event that will be spoken about for years to come.”

Remind you of anything?

The only good thing to come out of these recent awful storms is that there was no loss of life — probably more by luck than by preventative measures.

Back in June, we learned that since its inception in 2016 and up until the end of 2023, the tourist tax had raised a total of 698 million euros. Of this total, 218 million euros relating to the years 2020 to 2022 were used to cover needs arising from the pandemic. Of the remaining 480 million euros, only 59 million had been spent on fully implemented projects — a touch over 12%!

Remember, the tax was introduced to offset the environmental and territorial impact of mass tourism by funding projects for environmental conservation, cultural heritage restoration, and the promotion of sustainable tourism. It also aims to compensate local residents for the strain tourism places on the islands’ resources and infrastructure.

If ever there was a time to spend some of this money on our islands’ infrastructure, it’s now. Well, it was after the storms of 2018 — but when you look into the management of the tax, you seriously wonder who is actually running this absolute s…show (sorry, I couldn’t find a better word!).

The Public Audit Office has criticised the “chaos and lack of control” in the management of the tax up to 2023 — one of the reasons there has been such a low level of project execution. Difficulties the Audit Office encountered in preparing this report have led it not even to issue an audit report. It cannot endorse tax data or guarantee that the law has been complied with, or will be complied with, throughout the processes pertaining to the various projects. I actually can’t believe I’m writing this.

Now we learn that the Balearic Government — which has changed since the tax was first implemented — would like to increase it further. Surely they should be looking at the management of the money that hasn’t yet been spent first?

According to the experts, global warming is making weather more extreme and unpredictable by causing hotter temperatures, more severe storms, and more frequent and intense droughts. This is driven by rising global temperatures, which lead to more evaporation and moisture in the atmosphere, fuelling powerful storms like hurricanes and causing intense rainfall or longer periods of drought. Melting ice and warming oceans also contribute to sea-level rise, which exacerbates coastal flooding from storms.

I just hope someone here realises the seriousness of this — and sorts this mess out.

Discover Mallorca: An Emerging International Destination

Mallorca is developing more and more into an international destination, and with that, more opportunities are becoming available to those of us living and working here. The truth is, why would you not want to come here?

We are a beautiful island of contrast, from the stunning beaches in the north to the mountains of the west, the caves and coves of the east, and the bustling nightlife of the south. There is something for absolutely everyone.

If ever there was a destination built for tourism, it is our island. It hasn’t been one of the most popular islands in the world for the last 50 years for nothing. In my opinion, it remains one of the best places to live and one of the finest holiday destinations. We can boast turquoise-blue waters, secret coves, soft golden sands, lush green foliage, rugged mountains, picturesque villages, amazing cuisine, an up-and-coming wine industry, a lively nightlife scene, and a vibrant capital city. We’re also an island in the Mediterranean, just a couple of hours’ flight from most European cities.

Palma Airport, which is Spain’s third busiest, is currently undergoing a €559 million expansion and modernization by its owner, AENA. The project began in 2022 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. Its purpose is to improve the airport’s passenger-friendliness, efficiency, and sustainability.

One thing that is changing is the increasing number of direct flights arriving from outside of Europe. It used to be that anyone coming from further afield had to visit us via Madrid, Barcelona, or another European city. Since the pandemic and around the start of the airport expansion, things have started to change. In June 2022, a direct flight from New York to Palma began operating, and its frequency has increased every year. From June 17th to October 24th, 2026, Air Canada will launch a direct flight between Montreal and the island, and Etihad Airways has officially announced that it will begin direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Mallorca starting June 12th, 2026, running through to mid-September. This will be the first-ever direct connection between the UAE and Mallorca, and currently the only direct air link between Asia and the island — a landmark moment in Mallorca’s international connectivity.

Not only are all these connections great for the island but let’s remember we now have the opportunity to travel to these destinations for either business or pleasure. Making it a win-win situation.

Friends of mine in the wedding industry here on the island tell me that since the flights from New York began, there has been a steady increase in American couples getting married here. Friends in the property world also say that more and more foreign buyers are being lured to the island because of its beauty and great connectivity.

Not only is this good for business here but this also has a knock-on effect on many third-party businesses that may not be directly involved in these industries but will benefit from their growth.

I see all of this as positive, but I also understand that the sustainability aspect needs to be seriously looked at and addressed in a constructive way. We need to continue working to extend our seasonality. A 12 month year round Mallorca is far more appealing then a 6 month one and it could well lighten the load on the summer months. I see this slowly moving in the right direction, and we need to look at how we can better cope during the busiest months of the year, July and August. For Mallorca to become a year-round destination, we all need to work harder during the shoulder months to achieve this. Don’t listen to the naysayers who constantly say it can’t be done — Magaluf is now a perfect example of how positive change can happen. Keep those glasses half full!

Climbing the Football Ladder: A Family’s Journey

We have two sons who are both working hard to climb the football ladder. Our eldest, Jacob, at 19 years old, is starting on the path to becoming a coach. He has been working at the Borussia Dortmund International Academy Mallorca for a couple of years, running various training sessions. This year, however, he will be coaching his own team while studying for a UEFA C licence and completing his education with an FP Superior in Sport.

Our youngest, Jude, at 16 years old, has his sights set on becoming a professional goalkeeper. He is playing at the second-highest level of youth football with Palma FC while studying for an FP in Sport, just like his brother.

Both realise that they are on a difficult path, as very few actually make it, which is why their studies become so important.

Footballers who do make it enter a life that most of us can only dream of. Whilst most behave in a manner befitting their standing, unfortunately there are some who don’t. Several cases have come to light this season, both here in Mallorca and back in the Premier League.

Dani Rodríguez is a player I admire at Real Mallorca. He has been at the club since January 2018 and always gives 100%. However, a couple of weeks ago he let himself down. He was suspended by the club after publicly criticising the club and coach on social media following a loss to Real Madrid. He was frustrated at not being brought into the game—especially as his family was watching—and questioned the value of loyalty and hard work in the dressing room. The club responded by suspending him for 10 days without pay and permanently removing him as vice-captain.

I hope he can train his way back into the team, whether under the current coach or another one (that’s for another day!).

Players thinking they are above the law are becoming more and more common. The case of Alexander Isak is probably the biggest one this summer. He refused to play for his parent club, Newcastle, while still under contract, in an attempt to force a move to Liverpool, who had submitted a bid for him. On the other hand, you have a club like Chelsea, who have sidelined two of their squad players—Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi—making them train in the evenings, away from the first-team squad. The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) has become involved, reminding Chelsea of their duty of care.

But where were the PFA in the case of Isak, telling him he should fulfil his contractual obligations? You heard nothing from them. Yet when it comes to a player like Sterling, they suddenly come out of the woodwork and get involved. I am sure these players had opportunities to move on in the summer but, for whatever reason, chose not to. They are still being paid and have access to all the facilities provided to the first team. In Sterling’s case, he is still earning £325,000 a week! On that amount of money, I’d be training all day, all night, and twice on Wednesdays! I’m sorry, but the “duty of care” argument in this case doesn’t wash with me.

We have taught our sons to be respectful to others, and we hope that if either—or both—of them make it into the big wide world of football, they continue in that vein. As the old saying goes: be nice to the people on your way up, because you might well meet them on your way back down!

Ryanair’s New Baggage Rules: What Travelers Need to Know

My last column, writing about Ryanair and the possibility of them setting up a tour operator, got some really good feedback — so thank you for that. Ryanair is a story that keeps on giving, and these past two weeks have been no exception.

They have introduced new baggage rules which, to be honest, won’t make much of a difference. I imagine I’ll just be able to bring back a few more tea bags than I did before. They have increased the maximum size of the so-called “personal item” (to be stored under the seat) from 35x20x20cm to 40x25x20cm. This is the standard allowance for all passengers. If you want to bring a larger wheelie case, you must pay for priority boarding, which includes one larger cabin bag (55x40x20cm) and a second smaller item that can be stored in the overhead locker. Don’t you just love it when the priority boarders have to get on the same bus to the airplane as the rest of us in cattle class — or is that just me?

I wish all airlines would agree on a standard size for cabin baggage. It’s very confusing. When you arrive at the gate there are so many different baggage sizers. Take a look at the photo above — and that’s only four airlines.

Ryanair will no doubt have their pack of hyenas at the gates, doing their best to ruin the start of your flight. I think some of them take pleasure in causing that misery. To make matters worse, they have increased their staff incentive programme to catch people out — from €1.50 to €2.50. This bonus used to be capped at €80 per month per person, but this has now been removed, which means they can earn as much as they want. Be warned!

I still laugh that they charge you a €45 administration fee to change a flight. I have no problem with being charged the difference between the flight I booked and the flight I am changing to. What I do object to is the so-called “admin fee.” Why? Because you actually do the admin yourself! At this rate, I’ll be charging myself for an oversized bag if I’m not careful.

They’ve also been in the news this week after apparently dropping one million seats from Spanish airports for the upcoming year. I’m led to believe that the rise equates to €0.68 per passenger. AENA, the company in charge of most of Spain’s airports, has said that it’s a 6.62% year-on-year rise. AENA also points out that Ryanair has raised its fares by 21% in the past year. Whilst this is a game of poker, it will be interesting to see if either side folds. My guess is that the routes Ryanair has dropped are their least profitable or loss-making ones and therefore won’t have a significant effect on their bottom line.

My friend and fellow podcaster Martin Makepeace, from our Talking Balearics podcast, loves Ryanair. He always books seat 17F — by the window, with legroom. Mind you, he is 6’7”, so he needs as much help as he can get!

As you can probably tell from the above, I’m not a fan. Will it stop me booking a flight with them if it’s the cheapest around? Probably not. And if any of those hyenas come snooping around, I’ll stick my bag where the sun doesn’t shine!

Impactful Charity Work Through The Radiothon

One thing I definitely missed when I gave up working in radio in 2022 was the charity work. As soon as we decided to start another station, the Radiothon was already being organised. After opening in February, we decided to wait until we were more established before setting a date.

With any charity work, I think it’s very important that everyone who has helped us raise money knows where it is going and how we are helping. I asked each charity to let us know how our donation would help them.

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Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (GOSH)

My relationship with GOSH dates back to 2004 through my work with Pirates and the Pirates Charity Premieres. When the Premieres ended in 2016, I continued supporting GOSH through the Radiothons. I’ve also run the London Marathon twice for them, in 2008 and 2010, raising £10,867.00.

Through the Premieres and Radiothons, I am very proud to say we have now raised a total of €766,057.60 for GOSH, supporting many important projects over the years.

Laura Foy, Senior Fundraising Executive – Partnership Management, wrote:

“Every day, around 750 seriously ill children and young people are seen at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). Your support through the Radiothon is helping to build a brighter future for them.

With your support, GOSH Charity helps fund advanced medical equipment for treating the toughest conditions, as well as support services that help make life in hospital as normal as possible for young patients and their families. The funds raised also support pioneering research to find treatments and cures for rare and complex childhood illnesses. And thanks to your fundraising, we can build the new Children’s Cancer Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Cancer is the biggest killer of children aged one to 14 in the UK, and this centre will help us beat cancer for more children.

Whether it’s the children at the hospital right now, or the patients of tomorrow, you are making a difference. GOSH has always depended on generous supporters like you to enable seriously ill children to fulfil their potential. The incredible support from people like you means everything to the children and families at GOSH, who are facing some of the hardest challenges of their lives.

On behalf of the children, families and staff at GOSH, thank you so much for generously supporting the Radiothon!”

Thanks,

Laura

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Son Espases Hospital

We have a great relationship with our local public hospital in Palma. Since we started the Radiothon in 2015, we have raised €49,424.87 for the hospital.

Our work with them has been in the paediatric department and the children’s intensive care unit. Money raised in previous years has helped fund various projects, including decorating an MRI scanner and its room, painting the paediatric ward doors with cartoon characters, creating a brand-new waiting room for parents with children in intensive care, and many other smaller projects.

Natalia Vallés Ruiz, Head of Nursing, told me:

“In order to improve the paediatric patient’s hospital experience and reduce fear and anxiety associated with certain medical procedures, Son Espases has developed a collection of stories specially designed for different moments in the care process for children.

The main character is URPI, the mascot of the Paediatrics Emergency Department. As part of this project, a specific story has been created in which URPI accompanies the child throughout the entire care process, acting as a guide and a friend, helping them feel more comfortable and providing emotional security.

The main purpose of this resource is to reduce fear and anxiety during medical procedures. The activity is conceived as a ‘special mission’ while health professionals carry out the necessary procedures.

Funding from the Radiothon will be used to decorate part of the Paediatric Emergency Department, continue developing and producing visual and narrative materials, and work towards the final goal: fully decorating the Paediatrics ER.”

Many thanks,

Natalia

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Yachting Gives Back

Nick Entwistle set up YGB in 2019 after retiring from Pinmar Yachting, with the aim of fighting hunger and poverty in Mallorca. It is supported by donations from superyachts, the yachting community, and beyond.

Dear Richie,

Very many thanks to you and your lovely team at Wave Mallorca Radio, together with your generous sponsors and donors, for the wonderful donation from your very successful Radiothon.

We have already used some of the funds to buy a much-needed new fridge freezer for the Can Gazà shelter, and we look forward to putting the rest to good use—probably on our monthly shopping trips for Can Gazà, Siloé, Mallorca Sense Fam, and SOS Mamás.

We are hugely grateful for your continuing support and very proud to deliver so much help to the local community on your behalf.

With best regards,

Nick, Anne, Paddy, Jan and Ruth

Yachting Gives Back

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6Points Cycling Challenges

This was conceived by Bryan Visser in 2016 as an individual rider charity ride around Mallorca. It has grown from 6 riders in 2016 to 76 riders in May this year.

Dear Richie,

On behalf of 6Points Cycling Challenges and our three charities—Asdica, SOS Animal and Shambhala—I am delighted to thank you for including us in your Radiothon and for donating €2,872.50.

It was a pleasure to work with you during the Radiothon and to host a 6Point Ride to add value to your endeavours.

Your wonderful donation has been topped up to €3,000 and equally shared between our three charities. The money has already been paid to them, and they are delighted!

With heartfelt thanks,

Yours sincerely,

Bryan Visser

6Points Challenges

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Cancer Support Mallorca

Back in 2011, Krista Hyer set up the group with the aim of helping patients, carers, and anyone affected by cancer. Krista sadly passed away in 2022, but her amazing work has been carried on by Rebecca Upton and Bronwen Griffiths Thomas.

A heartfelt thank you to Wave Mallorca Radio and all the incredible listeners who supported the recent Radiothon in aid of Cancer Support Mallorca.

Thanks to your generosity, the money raised will go a long way in helping us continue our vital work supporting cancer patients and their families across the island. It means we can:

– Provide free translation and interpretation for medical appointments

– Offer transport to and from treatments for those without support

– Give access to nutritional advice and wellbeing programmes

– Provide counselling and emotional support to patients and caregivers

– Carry out home visits for those unable to travel

– Assist with end-of-life planning and grief support

Every euro raised helps ensure that no one has to face cancer alone.

Thank you for being part of our mission.

Rebecca & Bronwen

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With the donations from this year added to all the other Radiothons since 2015, we have now raised €211,892.44. I keep saying this—we are just the messengers, and you, the listeners and readers are the ones who help us achieve our goals for charity. I see it as one big community that can only grow stronger in the years to come, continuing to help those in need.

Thank you!

Why Tourism is Crucial for Mallorca’s Economy

We live in a democratic world, thankfully, and that gives us the opportunity for free speech and the right to protest. So, I have no problem with the people who were protesting in Mallorca a few weeks ago. Where I do have a problem is with the mixed messages that seemed to be coming out.

My understanding was that they were there to protest about tourist overcrowding and the lack of affordable housing. But there were also people waving Palestinian flags and calling for Mallorcan independence. When the messages start to become mixed, the actual purpose of the protest, in my opinion, loses credibility.

The protesters claimed there were 30,000 people, while the police said there were 8,000. Who do you believe? Well, even if you go with what the protesters claim, that’s just 3% of the overall population. Hardly a majority, is it?

In my opinion, they shouldn’t be protesting against tourism or tourists. The issue lies with the government—and more importantly, with previous governments—and their lack of investment in social housing. You could also argue that some of the protesters are being hypocritical. Why, you ask? Well, for two reasons: one, you can almost guarantee that each and every one of them has a family member or friend who earns their living through tourism. And two, do these people not go on holiday themselves? If they do, they are contributing to the very thing they are protesting about!

The question is: if you’re really pushing back against tourism, what else are we able to offer? We’re not exactly in the heart of the manufacturing world, are we? Like it or not, tourism is a major pillar of our economy, contributing approximately 45% of our total GDP. Some analyses suggest that tourism’s influence extends even further, potentially impacting up to 90% of the island’s economic activity.

We should be embracing what we have and looking for solutions to the problem. We have a great example of how holiday destinations can evolve right on our doorstep. Magaluf is, in my opinion, a shining example of how a resort once much derided can reinvent itself. If you don’t believe me, go and see for yourself.

Rob Croll’s Sporting Son Ferrer Joins Dortmund Academy

Probably one of the biggest things to happen in youth football here in Mallorca for a very long time was announced 2 weeks ago — and I was lucky enough to be there.

Many of you on the island will know Rob Croll and his very successful Russell Martin Academy, which is named after his foster brother — the former footballer, Southampton Manager, and now the Rangers Head Coach. What you might not know is that Rob also runs the football club Sporting Son Ferrer and Mallorca Pro Training. So, he’s a busy man. But before I tell you more about the announcement, let’s find out a little more about Rob.

Born and raised in Brighton, where he went to school and college, Rob realised at that time that he wasn’t going to make it as a professional footballer. He went on to study sports and marketing at university in Southampton. He did some coaching in the UK and the USA and then spoke to his foster brother, Russ, about starting his own academy. The Russell Martin Academy was already an established brand in the UK, and Rob thought it would be a good idea to bring it to Mallorca, where he’d put down roots since moving in 2011.

In the winter of 2018, he began the Academy. He admits the first three months were difficult and that he wondered if it was all worth it. But after offering free football coaching sessions for local schools, things started to kick off (excuse the pun!). He began to be the go-to academy for non-federated kids to learn the technical side of football.

The pandemic was a crushing blow to most small businesses, and Rob was unfortunately no exception. But he managed to build it back up. Being a non-federated player means you don’t play as a team, as you’re not permitted to — but as the academy grew, the need for a team became greater. Around that time, he was playing for a team called Sporting Son Ferrer and was offered the chance to take it over. This gave him the ability to start building teams and retain players who would previously have left to play competitive football elsewhere.

They went from one to two teams in the first and second seasons and gradually grew. Last season, they had six teams — and the hope is that next season this will become ten.

Now, back to the big announcement.

I was invited to the Sporting Son Ferrer trophy presentation night at Oceans Beach Club. My eldest son, Jacob, has been coaching there for a year, and I’ve also been doing some work with Rob through Mallorca Pro Training. It was announced that Sporting Son Ferrer had signed a partnership deal with the German side Borussia Dortmund! From now on, it will be known as Club de Fútbol Borussia Dortmund International Academy Mallorca.

This is something Rob had been working on for months, and after visiting all their facilities in Germany, a deal was agreed. It is an unbelievable opportunity for Rob — but I also believe it’s a great coup for Calvià and the island of Mallorca to be linked with such a prestigious club.

Borussia Dortmund has partnered with youth programs and established academies in 16 countries, including Germany, Japan, Poland, and the USA. In the US alone, they have multiple locations, including Florida, Texas, Washington, Arizona, and Louisiana. They also have five academies in China.

Dortmund sent over two representatives for the presentation. One was Roman Weidenfeller, a goalkeeper and club legend, who made 453 appearances for Dortmund between 2002 and 2018. He won two Bundesliga titles and two German Cups with the club. He is highly regarded for his loyalty and dedication to BVB and now serves as a brand ambassador.

Christian Diercks, Head of the BVB Evonik Football Academy, also attended. He explained that their football philosophy remains the same wherever they are in the world:

• Embrace and create the training environment and attitude of the finest quality that produces real opportunities for players to reach their potential

• Understand and replicate the methodology and training focus needed at the highest levels

• Demand excellence and quality in all aspects of the game

• Create professional pathways for our players at different age levels

• Offer the opportunity for players to be identified early in their career and then monitored for progression year to year by coaches from Borussia Dortmund’s academy

• Develop coaches to their highest potential with exchange and learning opportunities

• Implement playing style and player milestones like the professional environment

• Use resources directly from the academy

• Represent nationally the Borussia Dortmund brand, the club’s history, and its outstanding reputation for player development

Rob stresses that although this partnership has moved the club to another level, the pathway for players doesn’t change. He adds, “Whilst we are aligned with a professional brand now, it’s still football for all. From the very first day that we started RMA and moved on to Sporting Son Ferrer to today, it’s always been about football for all. I don’t want anybody to think that they’re not good enough for this club.”

On a personal note, I look forward to seeing my son Jacob begin his coaching career at the club — and also to witnessing the impact this partnership will have on the future of youth football here on the island.

If you are interested in your child joining the club, please contact Rob on 0034 691 173 265.

Wave Mallorca Radiothon: 36 Hours for Charity

Friday the 20th and Saturday the 21st of June are the dates for our Wave Mallorca Radiothon. We start at 7 a.m. on Friday morning and won’t stop until 7 p.m. on Saturday evening. That’s 36 hoursthat Ayesha and I will broadcast live and non-stop.

In 2015, Jo from our then radio office asked Ayesha and me on the Breakfast Show if we would consider broadcasting for 24 hours for charity. The challenge was duly accepted, and the Radiothon was born. For the first two years, we raised money to support the Pirates Charity Premiere and their chosen charities. When the Premiere ended in 2016, we decided to keep the fundraising going, and in 2019, we extended the hours of broadcasting from 24 to 36 hours.

The money we raise each year is equally divided among our chosen charities.

The following charities have benefited from our previous Radiothons:

• 2015: Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, the Paediatric Ward of Son Espases Hospital, Salvation Army, and Shambhala Foundation.

Total raised: 18,100.20€

• 2016: Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, the Paediatric Ward of Son Espases Hospital, Calvia Lions, and Help for Heroes.

Total raised: 24,474.18€

• 2017: Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, Son Espases Intensive Care Unit, SOS Animal Mallorca, Fundacion Nazareth, and Club Vidalba.

Total raised: 23,384.60€

• 2018: Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, Son Espases Intensive Care Unit, Asociacion Ondine, and Feliz Animal Andratx.

Total raised: 14,878.50€

• 2019: Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, Son Espases Intensive Care Unit, ASPANOB, and ASDICA.

Total raised: 25,363.11€

• 2020: Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, Son Espases Intensive Care Unit, Yachting Gives Back, and Cancer Support Group Mallorca.

Total raised: 30,948.82€

• 2021: Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, Son Espases Rehabilitation Centre for Children, Yachting Gives Back, Santa Ponsa Food Bank, and SOS Calvia.

Total raised: 33,217.02€

• 2022: Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, Son Espases, Cancer Support Mallorca, and Help for Ukraine.

Total raised: 27,163.49€

Total raised so far: 197,529.92€

We took a break for a couple of years, and I’m pleased to say we are back, aiming to pass 200,000€and raise as much money as possible.

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Charities We Support Every Year

Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital (GOSH)

My relationship with GOSH dates back to 2004 through my work with Pirates and the Pirates Charity Premieres. When the Premieres ended in 2016, I continued our support for GOSH through the Radiothons. I’ve “run” the London Marathon twice for them, in 2008 and 2010, raising £10,867.00.

Through the Premieres and Radiothons, I am very proud to say we have now raised a total of 763,185.10€ for GOSH, which has supported many important projects over the years.

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Son Espases Hospital

Our support has focused on the paediatric department and the children’s intensive care unit. Our most recent project helped fund the construction of a new rehabilitation unit for children. Other contributions include:

• Decorating an MRI scanner and its room

• Adding cartoon characters to the ward doors

• Creating a new waiting room for parents of ICU patients

• Funding numerous smaller projects

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Cancer Support Mallorca

Cancer Support Group Mallorca (CSG) is a registered association supporting the international community in Mallorca. Their mission is to help patients, carers, and anyone affected by cancer by:

• Reducing stress

• Empowering people with a sense of control

• Enhancing self-esteem

• Combating loneliness through connection

• Providing practical assistance

Rebecca, Bronwen, and their team of volunteers do an outstanding job supporting cancer sufferers on the island.

If you or a loved one is facing cancer, please reach out — they’re here to help.

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Yachting Gives Back

Yachting Gives Back is a registered charity that enables the yachting industry — including both yachts and service companies — to help alleviate poverty and hunger in Mallorca.

They support at least 10 different charities, including food banks and shelters. Thanks to your help, we’ve raised money, collected food at supermarkets, and even provided Christmas trees to shelters. Nick and his team do amazing work, and we’re proud to support them again.

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6Points Cycling Challenges

6Points Cycling Challenges was conceived by Bryan Visser in 2016 as a personal charity ride around Mallorca. The aim was to complete a challenging but enjoyable route around the island, taking in stunning views, countryside, mountains, and sea.

They focus on supporting a small number of charities to ensure a big impact:

• Asdica: Supporting young disabled people and their families in Calvià to help them live as normal a life as possible

• Shambhala: Providing education, opportunities, and growth for young people at risk of social exclusion

• SOS Animal: A long-standing non-profit helping stray dogs and cats in Mallorca since 1995

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How You Can Help

There are plenty of ways to get involved and support our chosen charities:

• Sponsor an hour and join us in the studio

• Challenge us to do something for donations

• Challenge yourself to do something for donations

• Offer a prize for our auction or raffle

• Bid on our auction

• Buy a raffle ticket

• Request a song for a minimum of 5€

• Or simply Just Donate!

We would love to see as many people as possible at our studios in Palma.

We’re located at:

Francisco Rover 1, 07003 Palma

It’s on the outskirts of the city centre, and there is usually parking available.

If you’d like any more information please call or what’s app me on 0034 670 704 311. Thank you.