5-a-side Futsal is the only form of indoor football approved by FIFA and recently adopted by The FA as a cornerstone of its development plans. It has already taken the world by storm and is reported to be the fastest growing indoor sport on the planet. It is now enjoying a revolution and change in football culture here in the UK, as players and teams look to adopt the game that the Spanish World Cup Champions have honed their capabilities on. Swindon and Cardiff already boast the most advanced 5 a-side Futsal arena’s in the UK, along with the largest adult and youth leagues.
You may have heard the hype – soon you will be able to experience the closest that you will come to playing normal 11 a-side football – but indoors, as Birmingham prepares to welcome the Birmingham International 5 a-side Futsal arena; what is believed to be the largest arena of its kind in Europe and a centre of excellence for the game in the UK.
Work is planned to start on the UK’s very first “super” 5 a-side Futsal arena in September 2010 with its opening planned during the last quarter of the year. The arena will provide state-of-the-art facilities and will be found in a central Birmingham location with good transport links. The arena will have many features including:
• State-of-the-art indoor football playing surfaces that have been used by FIFA in a number of Futsal World Cup Competitions
• Electronic scoreboards to all pitches
• Music and Video while-you-play
• Urban bar and cafe facilities
• Modern urban decor
• Retail Zone
• Modern changing facilities
• Arena and spectator seating and standing zones
• Interactive Learning Centre
We caught up with @Futsal, the team behind this new and exciting venture. Frank Rodriguez, Managing Director of @Futsal Group say’s “many see Futsal as being the key to developing more skilful players, at the arena’s that we currently run in Swindon and Cardiff, we already have Reading FC and Cardiff City FC actively participating as our pro-club partners in a wide range of education and scholarship activities by example”.
The arenas will offer a wide range of services and because everything is indoors, availability is guaranteed 7 days per week. Services will include:
• Adult male and female leagues 7 days per week to suit personal and modern lifestyles
• Youth leagues for boys and girls
• An exciting and innovative annual programme of tournaments and events
• Pitch bookings for social, fun and keep fit activities
• Soccer Camps and Kids parties
• Corporate events and tournaments
• Coach and referee education programmes
• Free education & scholarships for 16 – 19 year olds that provide a pathway to further university education or a career in the leisure or sports industry
Graeme Dell, the former England Futsal Team Manager and technical director for @Futsal adds, “ we are particularly proud of our free scholarship programmes. They provide nationally recognised academic qualifications like the National Diploma, which counts as 3 A-levels and provides access to university”, Dell continues, “ we are still offering a number of scholarships to any 16 – 19 year olds that live in Birmingham or surrounding areas that would like to pursue a career in football, sports or the leisure industry – but places are filling up quickly so anybody interested should get onto our web site and register interest quickly”.
The only international small sided football team run by England is the England Futsal Team – there are no other 5 a-side or small sided international teams. This highlights the importance and status that Futsal now has with a World Cup, UEFA cup and FA Cup competition being played. The @Futsal arenas are already a breeding ground for talented players that may have thought they didn’t have a future in football. Brad Clarke was such a “normal 5 a-side” player from Swindon who caught the eye of the Futsal management team and then went onto to play at international level for England as a result – the game is providing fantastic opportunities for a new range of players. In many other countries such as Spain and Portugal the game is a professional sport with players earning a decent wage and having superstar status.
Frank Rodriguez says, “ The arena is about football for all, they are a lifestyle event. We make them fun with an urban environment, music and video while you play and facilities like our Cafe Kickz concept so that mums, dads, brothers, sisters or extended families can come and enjoy. Entry is free and our pricing is very competitive – you can lose yourself in the arena for a couple of hours and spend less than £5 – where else can you do that nowadays!”.
The arena will cater for all people and all capabilities ranging from grass roots through to elite. They are designed to accommodate special leagues for disability football and multi-cultural leagues. They will also host women’s and girl’s competitions and leagues. The arenas are fully affiliated to national and regional FA’s and @Futsal already have The FA small sided football award at advanced level, which is the highest qualification and mark of excellence in England.
Soccer camps and kids parties also form a key feature of the services provided – come and meet the Futsal 5 or develop some skills through the @Futsal Skills passport. Each of the soccer camps makes use of some innovative and cool football equipment that is imported from all over the world. Also, watch out for bulletins as a number of leading soccer schools look to operate from the arena.
So if you want to find out more, then visit www.futsaluk.net and pre-register now.