Courtesy: The Royal Gazette


BFA help launch new futsal league

by Stephen Wright

May 16, 2012

Bermuda Football Association (BFA) have forged a partnership with the Bermuda Futsal Federation (BFF) to launch a new youth league later this month.

The BFF formed 12 months ago, charged a remit to develop the popular five-a-side version of football on the Island and establish leagues at both the junior and senior level.

Yesterday they announced an official agreement with the BFA, which will see the pair work together in Bermuda to promote the world’s fastest growing indoor sport.

Mark Wade, the BFA player development committee chairman, believes futsal can be an essential development tool for the Island’s young players.

“Futsal is the only recognised small-sided game by FIFA. It’s also recognised as a development tool in many countries, specifically in Brazil and more recently with some success in Spain,” said Wade.

“As far back at Pele and as far forward at Lionel Messi, all of the top players have at some point played fustal. With that, the BFA have entered into an agreement with the BFF, which will see them organise futsal leagues and seminars to promote the game in Bermuda. It will provide another development tool for our players.”

Following the success of the eight-team women’s futsal league, the first on the Island, the BFF now plan to set up a series of boys and girls youth leagues. They also intend to establish a men’s senior division next year.

BFF president Peter Sousa said the league, which won by North Village Lady Rams, had proven futsal and the traditional 11-a-side version of the game could happily co-exist.

“About a year ago a group of us got together to form the BFF after recognising the important development tool futsal could play,” he said.

“We have some ideas to set up Under-14, Under-12 and Under-10 leagues in May or June, and then start back up in September-October as a sort of pre-season to the BFA’s youth leagues.

“The women’s league came on leaps and bounds; we’re still getting compliments from players and coaches who are keen to know what’s next.”

Over the coming months, the BFF plan to introduce a futsal programme to the local primary and middle schools.

Kenny Dill, BFF vice-president, said: “It’s important we ensure the middle school and primary school learn about the game. I’ve been talking to a lot of the younger players and they’re really looking forward to playing futsal.”

Top FIFA futsal instructor Graeme Dell visited the Island earlier this month to conduct a-four day coaching course on behalf of the BFA.

Among the attendees were former Robin Hood coach Andrew Bascome, St George’s Colts boss Richard Todd and PHC striker Cecoy Robinson.

Played with a smaller ball with less bounce than a regular football, futsal creates an emphasis on improvisation, creativity and technique and passing in small spaces.




Courtesy: Bermuda Sun


Youth futsal league to start

Follows the successful women's programme

16/5/2012

by Simon Jones

WEDNESDAY, MAY 16: A new futsal junior league will be launched later this month, the Bermuda Football Association announced yesterday.

The move follows the successful completion of the first women’s futsal league in Bermuda with North Village claiming the title.

The small-sided version of the game has proved a massive hit across the world including Brazil and Spain.

And now it is beginning to take off in Bermuda.

Yesterday BFA player development committee chairman, Mark Wade, announced that the BFA had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Bermuda Futsal Federation to launch the new league.

He added: “The agreement will see us organize futsal leagues and courses, which will be a development tool for our players.

“So far futsal has proved successful and there is more to come.

“People are very excited about this version of the game.

“And if that is any indication then I think we will have a great futsal competition throughout the ages.”

The new youth league will be open to children under the age of 14.

But there are plans afoot to broaden futsal in Bermuda to incorporate an adult male league next year.

Peter Sousa, president of the Bermuda Futsal Federation confirmed the new league would start in May and run through until the end of June.

It would then pick up again in September after Labour Day and run through until the end of November.

He said: “We will co-ordinate activities so that it does not conflict with the BFA schedule.

“It is going to be free and on the first day there will be an open register.

“We want everyone to come and get involved.”

Mr Sousa added: “We have some ideas to set up an Under-14, Under-12 and Under-10 leagues in May or June, and then start back up in September-October as a sort of pre-season to the BFA’s youth leagues.

“The women’s league came on leaps and bounds; we’re still getting compliments from players and coaches who are keen to know what’s next.”

Earlier this month FIFA futsal instructor Greame Dill visited the island to run a series of training clinic for local youngsters.

The ex-England team futsal coach was joined by former Robin Hood coach Andrew Bascome, PHC striker Cecoy Robinson and St George’s Colts boss Richard Todd for the classes.




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