Middlesbrough Futsal Club launch

by Claire Bloomfield

The Tees Valley is soon to be the home of a brand new sporting achievement; Middlesbrough Futsal Club and it is certain to revolutionise football in the North East.

Futsal is a form of 5-a-side football played indoors with a smaller ball and with laws that promote a physical, tactical and skilful game. At present, 5-a-side football is one of the most played sports in England, but whereas 5-a-side has limited opportunities for progression, Futsal offers the chance to play the game at a competitive level in Competitions such as the FA Futsal Cup. Luis Figo, Juninho and Ronaldo are just some of the professional footballers who have developed their skill through playing futsal from an early age.

Sponsored by Campus Lifestyle, ‘Boro Futsal Club was officially launched today and the Club already has a busy weekend of fixtures lined up. Their first appearance takes place in the York Futsal Open on Saturday 24th February and their Northern League debut is in Hull on Sunday 25th February.

Chairman Damon Shaw is keen to promote the game at every level within the local community and has high hopes for the game in the North East: “The youth teams are such an important part of the club. In eight or nine years time, the kids who have been playing futsal as part of the U10s will form the core of the team and will have the technical ability to match players from Europe and South America.”

Shaw adds; “Playing in the Futsal Premier League Northern Conference will not only give us chance to play the best teams in the north, we’ll stand in good stead of being selected as founding members of the first true national league.”

“The short term aim is to get Middlesbrough in the FA Futsal Premier League and I believe once we are there, we can only improve. I would certainly like to see ‘Boro qualifying for Europe within 5 years.”

Middlesbrough Futsal Club have been given the support of the North Riding County FA to set up links with five secondary schools in Middlesbrough; King’s Academy, King’s Manor, Ormesby School, Newlands and Unity City Academy. The club will be introducing futsal to years 10 and 11 at each of the schools over the current school term to form the U16s team. They are expected to compete for a place in the Junior National Finals held in Sheffield later in the year.

The majority of ‘Boro’s players have been selected from the University team but Shaw is keen to select the best talent from throughout the Tees Valley Futsal League to compliment his existing squad.

At present the University of Teesside Futsal Club are producing impressive performances with wins over Tranmere Victoria, former English champions Doncaster College and Eintracht Frankfurt under their belt so the team is well rehearsed with each other and will hope to carry on this season’s form from the University team through to playing at a higher level.

The first Middlesbrough Futsal Club general meeting is to be held on 23rd February 2007 at 19:45 in Seminar Room 1 at the Olympia Sports Hall, University of Teesside.

You are welcome to attend if you would like to show your support for the Club and learn more about this exciting new project in the North East.

If you would like to know more about Middlesbrough Futsal Club, or keep up to date with fixtures and results visit: www.BoroFutsal.co.uk


For further information and to discuss photo and interview opportunities contact: Damon Shaw on 07974 680 195 or email damon@borofutsal.co.uk




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