Courtesy: Jefferson Post


Ashe Futsal League saluted on second season

by Michael Graybeal, Sports Editor

Monday, February 4, 2008

As the second season of the Ashe Futsal League wound to a close last week, the league saw a growth from the first season of the league in 2006-07. This year, the league had ten teams to participate, an increase of two teams from the first season, with each team having six to eight players. The purpose of the league is to allow soccer players in Ashe to be able to continue to play throughout the winter months, when typically soccer is pushed to the side. The games were hosted at Family Central with cooperation of Ashe County Parks and Recreation, and featured a five-on-five format.

With organization and registrations dating back to the beginning of November, the season was completed with a league format with games being twenty minutes in length. League president Wayne Cable commented on the league by stating: “After having a successful debut year last season, we were able to have ten teams in the league this season, as opposed to eight from the year before. I think the season was a success and I hope to see everyone next year.”

With the games being played on the basketball court at Family Central, a downsized game is necessary and to adjust to the different field of play, the league opted to use a size three, low-bounce soccer ball that minimizes the bounces and causes players to use more ball control and possession techniques. With only five players on each team playing at once, the game is fast paced with typical high score totals throughout the twenty-minute games.

The league finished up their season this past weekend with the final rounds of the tournament being played last Friday. The final two teams standing in the tournament was the State Drywall Green team and the Little Angels Child Care Center. In an exciting match-up, State Drywall was able to find the slight edge during the game and came away with the victory claiming the Ashe Futsal League Championship.

After the conclusion of the tournament, Cable closed the season by commenting: “I hope everyone involved with the league had an enjoyable time and we hope to see a lot of you next year. A big thanks to all of the coaches, parents, and kids who made this possible. Also a huge thanks to Ashe County Parks and Recreation, who have been a huge support to us for the past two years.”

The league is planning on and have every intention of having a third season and will begin working on registration during the fall of 2008. Cable wanted to express his thanks to all the sponsors that made the league possible over the past two years.





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