Our school is geared up to start playing Futsal after receiving a free starter pack – news that has delighted Michael Skubala, England Futsal Head Coach.
The pack contains goals, futsal balls, bibs and coaching equipment which will contribute greatly to the PE curriculum as well as extra curricular activities for boys and girls in all year groups.
The starter packs are designed to adapt existing sports halls, playgrounds and other hard surface facilities to make them Futsal-ready. The packs came courtesy of a £300,000 Futsal scheme, which is funded by The FA and delivered by the Football Foundation.
Futsal is a five-a-side game, normally played on a flat indoor pitch with hockey-sized goals and a size four ball with a reduced bounce. The exciting, fast-paced game is played across the world and is officially recognised by both UEFA and FIFA.
Regarded as an important and growing game, it is hoped that the provision of equipment and courses will lead to the development of more Futsal players, leagues, competitions and facilities across the country.
The nature of the game places a large emphasis on technical skill and ability in situations of high pressure, and is subsequently an excellent breeding ground for football competencies that can be translated into the 11-a-side format of the game.
As well as delivering the Futsal scheme, the Football Foundation delivers Grow the Game and also the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund on behalf of the Premier League, The FA and the Government, through Sport England. Since 2000, the Foundation has supported over 15,000 grassroots projects worth more than £1.4bn.
Michael Skubala, England Futsal Head Coach, said: “A big well done to Teesdale School for securing a Futsal starter pack – they have a bright future ahead of them now! We want to get more people playing the sport for the love of it and who knows; perhaps we’ll see some future international players unearthed as a result. Futsal is growing all the time and The FA, with the help of the Football Foundation, is dedicated to increasing its importance and popularity further for all.”
Dan Pilling, PE Teacher at Teesdale School said: “This equipment will contribute greatly to our students extra curricular activities and the students are really looking forward to using it. We have also recently appointed a specialist sports coach that will be running lunchtime and after school clubs so this futsal equipment will provide a lot of enjoyment for the children who attend these clubs as well as contributing to PE lessons. The whole of the PE department would like to thank The FA and Football Foundation for the original investment.”