Courtesy: Yellow Advertiser


Futsal success for schools

Tuesday, 17 April 2012

SHENFIELD High and Rokeby Schools had to make space in their trophy cabinets after claiming two titles apiece at the Essex County FA Futsal Finals.
The pair will go on to hunt for more silverware when they advance to the East Region event on Saturday, May 26 at Luton Regional Sports Centre.
The county stage of the national event saw six finals involve 50 teams of more than 350 players.
Shenfield and Rokeby, as well as Frances Bardsley and St Martin’s, will now go forward to represent Essex at the next stage, and there is still an outside chance that the runners-up may be able to attend subject to space.
That weekend will be a landmark for the county, which also hosts an England Futsal international at Barking.
Futsal is now played worldwide and differs from the regular five-a-side style familiar to many in the UK. The main differences are marked lines rather than rebound boards - meaning the ball can go out of play - as well as square goals, heavier and ‘reduced bounce’ balls and a strict five-foul discipline law. It encourages closer ball control and players use Futsal to improve their touch and technique.
In the Under 16s category, the boys tournament was won by Shenfield and the girls’ equivalent was claimed by Frances Bardsley School from Romford.
In the Under 14s, Newham-based Rokeby were the boys winners while St Martin’s from Hutton prevailed in the girls. Rokeby were also successful in the Under 12s boys contest, as were Shenfield in the girls.
Lana Gillard, education development officer, said: “This was the first year Rokeby had entered but they’ve been offering Futsal to their students for about a year after four of their staff attended a Beginners Guide to Coaching Futsal Course. Their Under 14s Boys were obviously excited about winning when they completed their lap of honour with the trophy! Shenfield are avid supporters of our finals and they performed well across the boys’ and girls’ events.”




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