Courtesy: Bristol City Web Site


ENGLAND STAR AT POMPEY GAME

Wed 17 Aug 2011

Saturday's official Community Match against Portsmouth will be a showcase for the club's first Futsal team. Led by England international Ian Parkes, Bristol City's new Futsal team comprises of year 12 and 13 students who are about to embark on a full-time Futsal and Education scholarship. The scholarship will lead to a Level Three BTEC National Extended Diploma in Sport - equivalent to three A levels.

On Saturday the team will be in action at Ashton Gate in the old Hirerite building from 1.45pm and, over the course of this season, will take part in fortnightly fixtures against other Football League clubs in the South West.

They will play in the new Bristol City away kit which carries the logo of the Bristol City Community Trust

For the uninitiated, Futsal is a five-a-side game played on a flat, indoor pitch with hockey-sized goals and a size 4 ball with reduced bounce.
It is a popular introduction to football, teaching players the skills and techniques they need to go on to become great players. Games are 20 minutes each half, played to a stopping clock - as in basketball - with time-outs permitted.

Ian Parkes says: "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 has grown 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 look forward to passing on my knowledge to a new generation."

Tickets for the Portsmouth game are on general sale now online, by phone 0871 222 66 66 (lines open until 8.30pm) or in person at Ashton Gate Stadium.




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