Courtesy: News Durham Region


Durham Futsal Showcase hits Oshawa on Sunday

DRSA already running a development program

Jan 28, 2010

By Shawn Cayley

DURHAM -- Ron Smale, president of the Durham Region Soccer Association, believes Futsal will soon become the next big sporting craze in the region.

For those not familiar with the sport, Smale suggests a trip up to the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre this Sunday for the Durham Futsal Showcase.

Two of the top Futsal teams in Canada, the Toronto Impact and Boca Juniors will square off in an exhibition match in an effort to introduce the sport to athletes in the region and help further the knowledge of those already involved.

"We're looking forward to showcasing this game to the community at large," Smale says of Sunday's event. "From that we're going to take this game forward with our development group."

Futsal, similar to indoor soccer, is played in a gymnasium on a floor 20 metres wide by 40 metres long, with each team sporting four players and a goalkeeper along with two referee's overseeing the action.

Earlier this month the DRSA launched phase one of their development program, which has 96 players, boys and girls at the U12 level, getting introduced to the game.

"We're looking at providing more choice and opportunities for our athletes to develop their skillset," Smale explains. "As such, this is another opportunity, on hardcourt where it's all about first touch, ball control, quick decision making and fast feet. This of course helps the athlete develop what we call their individual or one-on-one skills."

The groundwork for launching the program was formed in June of 2009. Smale attended a Futsal symposium, where he and other club presidents from across Ontario were introduced to the game. Immediately, he was intrigued.

By the time fall rolls around Smale is hopeful that the DRSA will have in place their first official league, consisting of eight teams in the U12 and U14 age groups with 12 players on each squad.

In the meantime, Smale adds that workshops and clinics across the region will be run in the coming months to continue educating athletes on the sport.


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