Futsal – Brentford FCCST

Brentford FC Community Sports Trust began a Futsal program in January of 2007, amid growing media debate as to why English football has been failing to produce young and exciting players with the ability to rival those of South America and Europe.  Futsal is the only version of 5-a-side-football that is approved by FIFA, UEFA, and the English F.A.

Futsal (short for Futbol Sala, or Indoor Football) is unlike normal 5-a-side where it is played on a pitch with defined boundaries, heavier ball, hockey sized goals and unlimited substitutions.  With its own rules, it is a fast paced and very skilful game.  It requires good technique, tactical understanding and high levels of fitness.

Most South American players do not play 11-a-side until 14 years of age preferring to hone their silky skills on the Futsal Court.  This may explain why so many gifted players come from that region. 

You may have seen the recent commerical where Ronaldinho is seen playing Futsal as a young boy and the unbeliveable skills he performs during the advert.  Ronaldinho attributes his spectacular skills to the game of Futsal.

Brentford FCCST has started coaching this format of the game in schools and has recently set up a boys and girls Futsal Development Centre.  Due to the high standard of the players, both teams competed in the Junior National F.A. Futsal Tournament at Sheffield last summer. 

The boys u14 (now U15s) team became 2007 National Futsal Champions at the first attempt, while the u12 girls team finished runners-up.  Both teams were a credit to the trust.

The boys also competed in a mini 3 team tournament at Coventry City FC's Ricoh Indoor Arena prior to an England Futsal exhibition match and acquitted themselves well.  Prior to Christmas the squad was again invited to play in an exhibition game before England's historic first ever Futsal victory over Greece.

This was quickly followed by the team making their own piece of history by becoming the Trust's first ever team to play abroad.  The Futsal squad travelled to France and competed in an international tournament which saw some very creditable performances against top sides from across Europe.

Due to this tremendous success, Futsal is now an integral part of the ATP curriculum.  We are now delivering Futsal in a variety of projects with children from aged 5 years upwards benefiting from this technique, skill and ball-centered programme. The girls Futsal programme has also expanded with more girls than ever taking part in Futsal training programmes.

The Football Association's plan to introduce a Men's National Futsal League this year has caused the Trust to engage in discussions with a top-level men's team to integrate our youth programme with the long term aim of players graduating to senior Futsal.

The Trust has also invested in qualifying 2 staff as F.A. Futsal tutors and a further 25 Trust staff have qualified as Level One Futsal coaches.  The aim is to make Brentford FCCST one of the leading Futsal providers in the country as the game fast gathers momentum.

This new and exciting game will unleash a wave of creative and exciting young players whilst also offering officials and coaches new opportunities in a game that captivates and excites South America, Asia and Europe.

If you would like to learn more about this game then please contact Luis Melville on 0845 262 9495/lmelville@brentfordfccst.com or visit www.thefa.com/GrassrootsNew/Player/Postings/2006/05/Futsal