Courtesy: FAI Futsal Portal


DDSL Futsal off to a flyer!

Friday, 16 January 2009

The eagerly anticipated return to action for the Capital’s youngest footballers got off to a great start when 4000 children from 400 DDSL underage teams burst into action last weekend. There was no weather issues to worry about for the kids who got their first taste of Futsal this year.

Futsal is the official UEFA version of indoor 5 a side football and is widely recognised as the ideal skill building environment for young players. The DDSL has been one of the first schoolboy leagues to fully embrace the concept with their 5 week initiative. And of course, you won’t hear many complaints because the kids are guaranteed a high action game in a safe comfortable environment away from the pressures of league points and tables.

Said DDSL Underage fixtures secretary Orla Creevey:” This module is about the kids enjoying their football regardless of the result of the games which are not recorded. This should afford managers more opportunity to ensure every child receives equal playing time on the pitch and the roll on roll off substitution rule should ensure that. We’ve had huge positive feedback from coaches and parents but most of all from the kids who are enjoying a game where they get more involved in the action more often. There are no set positions in Futsal and this affords every child the equal opportunity of experiencing the thrill of scoring or creating goals as well as honing their defensive talents. From our point of view, it’s the ideal game for these children to complement their outdoor activity.”

FAI National Futsal Coordinator said: “Huge credit must go to the DDSL for recognising the development potential of Futsal. They are leading the way for all schoolboy/girl leagues countrywide. The work being done by Orla and Damien Creevey is outstanding and while the children now are having fun, the development aspect of the game will begin to bear fruit in five to ten years time when we see the type of player Ireland will produce then. These will be players with excellent technical skills and sharpened mental football skills influenced by their time playing in the small tight spaces of the Futsal courts.”

The module continues for a further four weeks during a period when a lot of schoolboy matches fall foul of inclement weather. There’s no fear of that happening with Futsal.

At last we can count on an initiative which will guarantee continuity of playing time for our young players. No doubt, a lot more Schoolboy Leagues will be watching with interest!







Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com