From: www.kinnane.com/cyffutsal_home.htm

Catholic Youth Interscholastic Futbol Sala League

Session 2 Futsal Playoffs

The Playoffs for the 2nd Session of Futsal for the Catholic Youth Interscholastic Futsal League were played this past Saturday 06/19/2004 at Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River, Massachusetts.

Team Spain took home the Division 1 Championship Honors after winning in over time against Team France with a final score of 3-1. Team Spain also ended up the regular season of play with a first place standing and undefeated (6-0-2). Team France put them to the test though in this Division 1 Finals tying the score at 1-1 in regulation time but then fell short to the normally overwhelming offensive strengths of Team Spain, loosing in overtime.

Team Portugal was crowned Division 2 Champions with their convincing 6-2 finals victory over Team Italy. Team Italy who played out their regular season in 4th place in Division 2 made it to the finals only after upsetting 1st place Team Brazil 2-1 in a very exciting first round match of this single elimination competition.

This past Saturday's games ended what was a history making first year of Futsal games played by the Fall River Catholic Diocesan Elementary School children. It was nothing short of a spectacular season for these children who came from various Catholic Diocese Elementary Schools in Fall River to participate in this healthy and fun activity. "This league puts an entirely new face on Catholic Youth Programs for the diocesan grade schools" says Director Bill Sampaio. "We offered this program at the request of the elementary school principals to enhance the catholic school education experience here in our city and the children responded BIG TIME!" Starting with 26 players in November of 2003 our league registered 150 players throughout the two sessions of play. All games were held on Saturdays and were played at Bishop Connolly High School's Lafrance Gymnasium. The players, their friends and families were treated to a festive kickoff jamboree in January, an olympic-style event and a teacher's cup challenge in April, and a grand finale playoff this past Saturday.

Fall River's Mayor Ed Lambert provided his support for the program speaking to the children, stating, "We certainly think that this is great to have so many of our young people involved in such a wholesome activity that keeps them healthy. We really appreciate the organization of this league and believe that this is a sport that is really going to take off, very much so, here in our city."

One of our league's outstanding futsal players, Justin Cousineau, will be attending Bishop Connolly High School as a freshman next year and he is anxious to have the opportunity to play soccer for Coach Bill Sampaio, who is not only the volunteer / director of this program but also the head soccer coach for Bishop Connolly High School. Justin will also have the opportunity to participate in the school's "first ever" club futsal games planned for the high school students next year.

Coach Bill recently returned from Brazil where he, amongst other things, began the ground work for a new scholar / athlete exchange program for brazilian students to come to Fall River to stay with a host family, attend Bishop Connolly High School and play Futsal and Soccer.