Futsal fever kicks off nationwide in schools this month
October 10, 2018
As part of the FAI Schools development programme, futsal is used as a way of introducing youngsters to the game of football and thus increasing grassroots participation within the sport.
The programme has quickly become one of the most popular sections of the schools soccer calendar, with talented students from all over the country aspiring to replicate the talents of Lionel Messi, Zico, Juninio, Kaka and Ronaldo. These legends of the football world have inspired youngsters to get involved and in doing so have increased the profile of futsal on an International scale.
Almost 20,000pupils will take part in this initiative within a three month period in both our Primary and Post Primary Schools throughout Ireland.
This month will see competitions commence in the 26 counties as students take to the courts to showcase their skills.
752 primary schools have signed up to play resulting in 1,196 teams, culminating in a total of 14,352 children taking part. The post primary schools have 283 schools registered with 441 teams participating, amounting to a total of 5,292 students in action.
Now in its eleventh year, this exciting initiative has reached phenomenal participation rates. This is largely attributed to the hard work of the FAI’s Development Officers promoting the programmes at grassroots level as well as our excellent relationship with local teachers who have participated in other schools activities over the last few years. Now a regular fixture in the schools’ calendar, this is set to be one of the biggest years yet for futsal.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS FUTSAL
The Dublin Primary Schools Futsal programme was the first to kick off their campaign this season with 82 schools involved amounting to 137 teams participating in 16 different venues. The participation initiative saw 1,656 kids enjoy the blitz day format in the Capital.
Watch out for the various primary schools competitions kicking off in your locality shortly. We wish all participating schools the very best of luck.
POST PRIMARY SCHOOLS FUTSAL
Roscommon & Monaghan have completed their Post Primary Schools Futsal programme for First Year Boys & Girls as the winners now prepare for their respective Provincial showcases. The Ulster Finals are scheduled for the AURA Leisure Centre, Letterkenny on November 13 with Coláiste Oiriall (Boys) and St. Louis Secondary School, Carrickmacross (Girls) flying the flag for Monaghan. The Connacht Finals will take place the following day, November 14 with IT Sligo playing host. The Munster and Leinster Finals are scheduled for the following week with County winners yet to be confirmed!
No doubt there will be some futsal fever in the schools nationwide as the various Counties gear up for their events.
POST PRIMARY SCHOOLS FUTSAL DATES
Provincial Finals:
Ulster November 13 AURA Leisure Centre, Letterkenny
Connacht November 14 IT Sligo
Munster November 20 Waterford IT Sports Arena
Leinster November 21 National Indoor Arena, Abbotstown (Girls)
Leinster November 22 National Indoor Arena, Abbotstown (Boys)
National Final: December 4 Waterford IT Sports Arena
LAST YEARS ROLL OF HONOUR:
Post Primary Schools | Girls
WINNERS: Presentation Secondary School, Ballyphehane, Cork
RUNNERS UP: St. Attracta’s Community School, Tubbercurry, Sligo
THIRD: St. Leo’s College, Carlow
FOURTH: Carndonagh Community School, Donegal
Post Primary Schools | Boys
WINNERS: St. Francis College, Rochestown, Cork
RUNNERS UP: Good Counsel College, New Ross, Wexford
THIRD: Carndonagh Community School, Donegal
FOURTH: St. Joseph’s College, Galway
NOTES
WHAT IS FUTSAL | Futsal is an indoor version of association football. It is played between two teams of five players, one of whom is the goalkeeper, and up to seven substitutes per team. Unlike some other forms of indoor football, the game is played on a hard court surface delimited by lines; walls or boards are not used.
Futsal is also played with a smaller ball with less bounce than a regulation football. The rules create an emphasis on improvisation, creativity and technique as well as ball control and passing in small spaces.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS FUTSAL PROGRAMME | This is a participation initiative run to local level. Boys and girls in third and fourth class will participate in this fun filled one day blitz. There are separate competitions for boys and girls but girls are permitted to play in the boy’s competition.
POST PRIMARY SCHOOLS FUTSAL PROGRAMME | It caters for First Year students, boys and girls. The programme will begin at county level and the winners will progress to Provincial and National qualifiers.
