Courtesy: This is Nottingham


City's first 'futsal' team show their class

Saturday, April 25, 2009

YOUNG footballers in Nottingham are developing Brazilian-style soccer skills through the city's first "futsal" programme.
Futsal is a variant of football which is played indoors using a smaller ball with less bounce, and has helped many world-famous footballers – from Pelé to current stars such as Deco, Ronaldinho, Robinho, Messi and Kaká.

The Sycamore Millennium Centre in St Ann's started running its "Brazilian Futsal Skool" in September, and the players recently played their first match.

Coach Andrew Palmer said: "Since futsal has been introduced, we have noticed a massive improvement in the skill levels of the players.
"There are a lot of players in inner-city areas not being developed at the right age. If they do futsal from a young age we will see much better players."

The programme has attracted more than 100 youngsters, mostly from St Ann's and Sneinton. Their first match saw a group play against teams from Bristol and Gloucester at an international futsal pitch in Swindon.

Jonathan Morley, sport development worker at the Sycamore Centre, said the Nottingham team did amazingly well considering they had fewer players than the other two sides.

"We won one game 6-5 and drew the other one nine-all, so it went really well considering they were playing against established teams."
Players also triumphed in a Unity tournament for conventional football in Nottingham, even though they were younger than the other competitors.

Mr Palmer said: "In normal football you are passing a ball and moving all the time, whereas futsal is constantly skills-based."
The project is looking for more youngsters to get involved.
Youngsters play in the following age categories: 5-11 year olds "Brazilian football clinic"; 11-15 year olds "Futsal for Juniors", and 16-19 year olds Futsal drop-in centre.

For more information call 0115 911 2220.








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