The FA & Football Foundation Futsal Fund
A five-a-side game, normally played on a flat indoor pitch with hockey-sized goals and a size-four ball that has a reduced bounce, Futsal can help develop close-control, quick thinking and different techniques to traditional football formats.
And County FAs, youth football leagues, youth Futsal leagues, schools (excluding primary level), senior colleges and sixth forms are being encouraged to apply for a ‘Futsal starter pack’, thanks to a £300,000 fund aimed at developing the sport further.
This includes Futsal-specific equipment including goals, balls and bibs, as well as FA accredited coaching and refereeing courses.
The starter packs are designed to adapt existing sports halls, playgrounds and other hard surface facilities by providing new and existing players with the necessary tools and skills to develop and maintain Futsal leagues, competitions and fixtures across the country.
“The FA recognises Futsal’s increasing importance and popularity,” said Michael Skubala, England’s Futsal head coach.
“Through our partnership with the Football Foundation, the fund is a fantastic way to celebrate and start to grow the sport in this country.
“We want to see more players playing the sport in new leagues and competitions, and I would encourage all those who are eligible to apply for the scheme.
“Futsal is a sport in its own right with its own pathway to becoming an England international. Futsal also promotes and practices both inclusivity and diversity – it is a sport for players and coaches from different genders, ethnic backgrounds, faiths, ages, sexual orientations and the disabled.”
Applications are now open and close at 5pm on Friday 6 October. Specifically, applications in the following categories will be prioritised:
- Female Futsal (12-18 years)
- Youth Futsal (14 years-and-over)
- Youth football leagues (U14-to-U18)
- Association of Colleges (AoC) members with facilities offering community usage
- English Schools’ Football Association (ESFA) and Independent Schools Football Association (ISFA) member schools with facilities offering community usage.
