Courtesy: The Thurrock Gazette


Coaching plan to make Essex like Rio

Saturday 10th July 2010

FOOTBALL: Silky Brazilian stars like Pelé, Zico and Ronaldo learned their trade playing the innovative brand of Futsal, now Essex County FA Development Officer Nick Emery hopes the game will grip the streets of Castle Point and Rochford once a new range of Taster Sessions get underway on Tuesday 27th July.

The Sports Hall at The Deanes School in Hadleigh will play host to the six weekly introductory sessions between 6:00 and 7:00pm which aim to explain the rules of Futsal as well as develop the basic skills involved in the game, allowing participants to try it in a friendly environment. Emery, whose role at The County Office in Chelmsford includes developing adult involvement, hopes to replicate similar successes in Basildon.

He said: “We’re hoping to attract males over the age of 16, with a particular focus on the 16-21-year-old age range where the biggest drop in eleven-a-side participation has been noted. We’re also targeting clubs in Castle Point and Rochford who could potentially use Futsal as a winter training method. We’ve delivered similar sessions in Basildon which led to the launch of a Community Futsal League so we will be looking to replicate this.”

Similar to five-a-side but with several subtle differences, Futsal is a very fast version of the game which will also be focussed upon. It places emphasis on individual ball skills and techniques rather than the physical contact of the traditional English form of the game and legendary players such as internationals Pelé, Zico, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho grew-up playing it. All have since commented that it formed a crucial part in their development.

Essex was recently named as one of 15 specific ‘Focus’ Small-Sided County FAs tasked with continuing the steep rise in the various formats of this type locally. While eleven-a-side suffers a slight decline, the condensed version is as strong as ever and the ECFA hope to strategically use the small-sided game as a way to help 11v11 thrive once more.

One of the steps to increase the use of Futsal as a development tool from the lower age groups has seen The FA and the English Schools FA working together to deliver an improved and enhanced National Youth Futsal Festival for 2010 and Essex recently celebrated a double-success when Shenfield School prevailed in two age groups.

Participants must be aged 16 or over and shin pads, trainers and sportswear must be worn. Each session costs just £2 to take part and places are limited so if you’re interested contact Nick Emery as soon as possible on (01245) 393077 or via E-Mail at nick.emery@essexfa.com. Further football development news and information can be found at the Essex County FA’s website at www.essexfa.com.


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