Hampshire FA Host Youth Futsal Festival

Hampshire FA in partnership with UK Futsal hosted a youth futsal festival on Sunday 19^th April at LeAF Studio in Bournemouth. The tournament was the first of its kind in Hampshire, and consisted of U10 and U12 competitions split into two round robin groups and completing a minimum of 3 fixtures each leading to a final playoff between group winners.

An impressive 16 teams were in attendance on the day with teams also registered on a waiting list in case of any potential last-minute cancellations to the fill the spaces; all spaces were filled in less than two weeks emphasising a high interest from clubs in the county for futsal. Greenfields U12 were able to fill the space on Friday 17^th April after a last-minute cancellation left one space available in the festival.

This festival is part of the FA National Youth Futsal Festival with the winners progressing to a regional qualifier at Surrey Sports Park on Saturday 13^th June and then potentially onto the national finals at the Futsal Birmingham Centre on the 27/28^th June.

Rushmoor Community and Greenfields B team made the U10’s final; however it was Rushmoor Community that lifted the cup after finishing with an impressive 9-1 against Greenfields B. The U12’s competition then saw Widbrook Storm taking home the cup after beating Sholing Youth Whites 7-2. To view all the other results of the day please click here.

Presenting the cup and the medals to both teams was England International Futsal player George Nash supported by Managing Director of UK Futsal, John Mackintosh.Teams were invited for photos with George Nash and John Mackintosh after the festival whilst some teams were interviewed for their feedback on the day; for some teams, this was their first introduction to the fast-paced, intense and technically skilful game which is considered to be a favoured transition into playing 11-a-side football. Discussing the success of the festival, John Mackintosh director of UK Futsal said: “What a fantastic day, a brilliant atmosphere and a well organised event”

Whilst clubs and parents have taken to Twitter to thank Hampshire FA for the event: “Thank you to Hampshire FA for holding a great futsal festival yesterday , fingers crossed some future England players” – Daniel Gregory

Football Development Officer Chris Smith as organiser of the event was delighted at the turnout of the festival, discussing the festival he said:
“It was great to see so many people enjoying an emerging format of the game we love; hopefully this will be the beginning of a thriving Youth Futsal programme in the county”.
 

Such events are imperative to the growth of Futsal in England and the love for the game from the young people was most certainly clear. When asked by the Swaggarlicious media team on words they would use to describe Futsal they said: “Fun”, “Fast-paced” and ‘Energetic”. Much credit to Hampshire FA, UK Futsal Association and all others that ensured the event was success.

 

Please visit for further details: www.hampshirefa.com