KICKERS FUTSAL IS THE FIRST LONDON CLUB FORMING ENGLISH FUTSAL PLAYERS

At a time when Futsal is still in its infancy across the UK, Kickers Futsal Club have set out to address the problems faced by London based clubs and has started to form a group of English based players with a view to developing them within the sport.

Kickers was primarily associated as being a Futsal Club represented by a South American contingent, but for the past 12 months stepped away from this and started a development project where English players have the opportunity to learn about the sport and get the opportunity to be given time and support to aid their development.
The project has been well received by local Authorities, restaurants, pubs and businesses (Raizes Restaurant, Safe Transfer and the Pig and Whistle).

12 months down the line and the project is moving slowly but progressively forward, with the number of English players starting to rise in the National League games and tournaments. With 8 players now starting to establish themselves, the project is showing positive signs with the players adapting to the fast pace of the game and implementing the tactics enforced by the clubs coaching team.

Initial problems were identifying players who would have the mental as well as physiological attributes to develop within this sport. One of the solutions identified was to have the players training more frequently during the week. A year later, the players are now training twice during the week and once on the weekends.

Breaking down football concepts and implementing Futsal tactics was an initial barrier that took a lengthy period of time, but it is something that Kickers were consistently working on. A mixture of the player's enthusiasm and dedication with the coaching teams' experience of Futsal has been vital in the players education to Futsal, but this is just merely stage 1 of the process. One of the hurdles faced by the club is attracting the right quality of players as there is only a limited number of experienced English players within the sport so it was very difficult to raise the standards immediately.

The club has made no secret of their long term plans, and are prepared to give time to these players in order to reap the rewards in the long term. Having a winning mentality is an attribute the club wants all the players to have but for now it will be concentrating on playing for the performance and not the result.

Kickers aim is to become a London based Futsal club where players come to develop and have the opportunity to be creative whilst maintaining Futsal tactics when in possession. Producing English based Futsal players who are skilful and have the ability to go on to represent the club within the National League and the English National squad is the primary objective.

With the English National Squad making huge strides on the International scene it is important to have more English born players coming through the clubs supporting the National teams' project.

For more information on Kickers please visit the website - www.kickersfutsal.com