UEFA have just announced that Sheffield and Hallamshire FA had the best grassroots Futsal development programme across of all the UEFA European Countries in 2007.

Futsal is about improvisation, creativity and technique using a smaller ball with a reduced bounce which develops player’s fundamental skills. It encourages fast thinking play, silky skills, team work and close individual ball skills and can be attributed to the development of world class players, such as Ronaldo, Deco, Pele and Ronaldinho, the backbone of Brazil’s dominance in world football.

The award certificate for the UEFA Best Grassroots Futsal Event 2007 was presented to Marc Birkett, Football Development Officer and James Hope-Gill, Chief Executive by FA Board Member Dave Henson at The FA UMBRO National Futsal Cup Final on 6th July 2008, at The English Institute for Sport, Sheffield.

UEFA recognised the achievements of Sheffield and Hallamshire FA for its schools Futsal development programme in 2007. The schools futsal programme is a core element of the County FA`s Futsal development programme. The programme flourished in 2007, following a restructuring exercise of the Schools Futsal Cup Competition, which saw the competition broken down into 4 district qualification events, with an event being held in Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster and Barnsley. Each of the events then feed the winners and runners up to the South Yorkshire Schools Futsal Finals.

Marc Birkett, Futsal Development Officer said, “It is of great honour to be recognised by UEFA for our Schools Futsal Development programme. It is a great achievement and is testament to the hard work and dedication that is put in by everyone involved.”

The Sheffield and Hallamshire FA School Futsal Cup gives teams the opportunity to take part in an annual competition. In its former state the competition was suffering from its own success, venues were becoming unsuitable due to higher numbers and organiser’s time was out of control. In 2007, 42 teams took part in the competition, doubled from the previous year of 18, with 8 teams reaching the finals.

Marc Birkett, went on to say, “The Futsal cup is just one element of the schools programme which promotes the game to schools that have never heard of it in South Yorkshire. Every school that enters the competition is given a free taster session, with our team of coaches. Everyone who takes part, enjoys the session immensely and ultimately spreads the word for us”

James Hope-Gill, Chief Executive, Sheffield and Hallamshire FA said “We are delighted to receive UEFA recognition for our Futsal development programme. Everyone involved firmly believes that Futsal is vital in the development of home grown world class players. We have laid the foundations within South Yorkshire to enable us to do this, and will continue to proactively promote and deliver Futsal. We are determined to make South Yorkshire the home of Futsal in England.”

Sheffield and Hallamshire FA have increased awareness and participation for futsal via the implementation and delivery of various development programmes in schools, the formation of clubs and teams and the administration of the FA Regional League North. Collectively this now allows players to develop from junior/beginner level right though to competing in elite leagues, and selection to the national side.

Sheffield and Hallamshire FA have been at the forefront of the games development across the rest of the country, playing host to UEFA matches, international tournaments, FA Futsal final competitions and are in the process of persuading The FA to allow Sheffield to bid for the 2011 European Futsal Championships.

If successful, the European Futsal Championships will propel the awareness of the game in the UK and encourage more people to get involved and play, it will also bring players and spectators to the city for the duration of the tournament, increasing tourism, commercial revenue and unprecedented exposure as the championships receive extensive media coverage, and televised broadcasts.







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