Courtesy: This is Wiltshire

Now Futsal fever hits Wiltshire


FUTSAL, the fast and furious indoor soccer game that made Brazilian star Ronaldinho famous, is coming to Wiltshire.

Eight teams are needed for the Wiltshire County Futsal League, which starts on April 18, at the Olympiad Leisure Centre in Chippenham.

The winners will go on to represent Wiltshire in a regional play-off, with the chance to qualify for the national futsal finals, which will be held in Sheffield in July.

Futsal is a five-a-side version of football, played with a weighted size four ball on marked indoor pitches.

With a penalty awarded for every five team fouls, the emphasis is on technique rather than physical presence.

There are no rebound boards, but rolling substitutions prevent unnecessary stoppages.

League organiser Chris Ballinger, son of former Chippenham Town defender Brian, believes futsal will catch the imagination of the Wiltshire football community.

He said: "Futsal is a very skillful game. It doesn't matter how big you are, if you've got a good touch you can be successful.

"This game is not designed for the ball to whacked from end of the pitch to another. It's very entertaining to play and to watch. I can really see it taking off in Wiltshire."

The league, which will be for adults only, will be played over seven weeks on a round-robin basis.

Squads should have a minimum of eight players and a maximum of 12.

Each match will be 20 minutes long, and there will be a weekly fee of £24 per team (£140 in total if paid up front). A Wiltshire County Futsal Youth League is also planned for the near future.

To register a team or to seek help in finding a team, contact Chris on 07785 350830 or e-mail wilts.futsal@yahoo.co.uk The league is also looking for referees. All enquiries should be directed to Chris.



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