Courtesy: Bristol City


England star launches futsal side

Tue 21 Jun 2011

England Futsal international Ian Parkes will head up Bristol City's new Futsal operation in the new season.

Last year the 23-year-old represented Great Britain at the World University Futsal Championships and has since been part of the England Futsal Development Squad for the last six months. His performances have now earned him his first call up to the full England side to play Greece in July.

Futsal is a five a side game, played on a flat indoor pitch with hockey-sized goals and a size four ball with a reduced bounce. It is played to touchlines and all players are free to enter the penalty area and play the ball over head height.

Games are 20 minutes a half, played to a stopping clock - as in basketball - with time-outs permitted.
Bristol City Community Trust is offering young people in Bristol an exciting opportunity to gain an educational scholarship through the Football Club, coupled with the chance to be part of Bristol City's new futsal team.
The course is available to school year 11 & 12 students, who should have four GCSEs, or equivalent, at C grade or above. The two year, full time Futsal and Education scholarship will lead to a Level Three BTEC National Extended Diploma in Sport, which is equivalent to three A levels.

The course is starting in September at Ashton Gate Stadium and will cover eight hours of education and eight hours of futsal a week, including training and fixtures.

Students will be trained by Bristol City coaches, led by Ian, and take part in fortnightly fixtures against other Football League clubs in the South West. They will be treated like other club scholars, have opportunities to attend matchdays and have access to facilities at the Football Club. They will also play in the new Bristol City away kit which carries the logo of the Bristol City Community Trust.

Ian is really excited at the prospect: "I began playing futsal three years ago during my second year at university. Having played for England Schoolboys' U18 I initially went to the University of Bath to play football; but I was soon introduced to futsal and have not played football since!

"Futsal requires players to keep the ball and create opportunities in such tight areas that I have developed a greater appreciation for the importance of good control, passing, movement and decision making.

"The tactical nature of the game also makes it dynamic and exciting. I am delighted I have been given an opportunity to play the game at the highest level and I will learn from it, enjoy it and do my best to stay there."
There are a strictly limited number of places still available on the course, but applications will close very soon. If you would like to know more, please email geoff.stevens@bcfc.co.uk as soon as possible.

There is also an opportunity for local businesses to have their name linked with this exciting new venture. Your name could feature on the back of the futsal team's shirts - an ideal opportunity to raise your company's profile and also support the work of the Community Trust. If you are interested, please contact david.lloyd@bcfc.co.uk.




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