Ricard Ares

Born in Bilbao in 1975, Ricard Ares began his playing career in 1992 at Reus Deportiu before moving on to Cambrils CH in 1994. After just a season he moved to CP Voltregà before spells with Vilfranca and CP Vic. In 2002 he moved to the Canary Islands with CP Tenerife. In 2006 he returned to Catalonia with Vilafrance before playing his final season at Cerdanyola CH in 2008/09. 

His coaching career started at CP Vic as assistant from 2006 to 2009 before becoming head coach at CP Voltregà from 2010 to 2016. 

Ares coached the Spanish women's team to two World Championships, in 2017 and 2019 and to a European Championship in 2018. Whilst women's team coach, Ares was also assistant coach at the Spanish men's team, helping them to a World Championship in 2017 and a European Championship in 2018.

Between 2019 and 2021 he was head coach of the Spain men's squad prior to returning to club roller hockey and moving to Porto. In Portugal the coach collected a total of nine trophies - including three league titles, 2022, 2024 and 2025 - a Champions League in 2023, the Intercontinental Cup in 2021, a Continental Cup, 2 Portuguese Cups and an Elite Cup, before heading for Barça in the summer of 2025.