Bermuda Futsal Federation To Launch
The Bermuda Futsal Federation (BFF) is pleased to announce the introduction of Futsal (5-a-side indoor football) in Bermuda.
Mr. Peter Sousa, Co-ordinator, of the Bermuda Futsal Federation, said, “The introduction of Futsal to Bermuda is exciting as Futsal is widely recognized as the best development system for the traditional 11-a-side game. The origin of Futsal can be traced back to Montevideo, Uruguay, when in 1930 Juan Carlos Ceriani devised a five-a-side version of football for youth and adult competition in YMCA’s. The game is played on basketball sized courts, both indoors and out, without the use of sidewalls.”
“A similar form of the game was developed in Sao Paulo, Brazil known as “futebol de salao”. The first known leagues were formed there in 1952 and the first known international competition took place in 1965. Futsal is now an integral part of the football fabric of Brazil and many of its finest champion football players have attributed the development of their football skills to playing a lot of Futsal as youngsters.”
“The game soon captured the imagination of the football playing public and was enthusiastically adopted across South America. Many world famous football players began as Futsal players such as the legendary Pelé and Maradona to current stars such as Ronaldinho, Robinho, Messi and Kaká.”
“Futsal (five-a-side football) is considered to be the fastest growing indoor sport in the world and is the only international form of indoor football approved by the Fédération Internationale deFootball Association (FIFA). It is played in all the continents of the world by over 100 countries.”
“The benefits of developing Futsal in Bermuda are many and include the potential to increase grassroots participation, the accelerated development of technical, motor and coordination skills among children, accelerated acquisition of positional sense, football “intelligence” and it facilitates rapid decision making.
Mr. Sousa continued: “BFF has been working with the Bermuda Football Association (BFA) and its Player Development Committee. The BFA has been very supportive of our efforts to introduce futsal and it is recognised in their Strategic Development Plan as a key component and effective methodology in enhancing the development of young players in Bermuda.”
In co-operation with the Bermuda Football Association, the BFF is holding a free information session at the Bermuda College on Friday September 2, 2011 starting at 7 pm, for all sporting organisations, coaches, players, parents and other interested parties. Participants will receive information on the BFF, plans for the introduction of a Youth Futsal League, a Brazilian Futsal coaching presentation and an overview of Futsal rules.
“The BFF will also be having an open Futsal tournament on September 3rd and 4th, 2011 starting at 9 am at the Bermuda College Gym for Under 10 and Under 12 age groups. Teams are limited to 8 in each age group and will be based on a first come first served basis. Registration forms and tournament rules will be available at the Bermuda Football Association offices and various sport shops in Hamilton. Interested parties can also email bdafutsal@yahoo.com for further information or to receive copies of the tournament documents. The registration deadline is Wednesday 31 August, 2011.”
Mr. Sousa concluded by saying: “This is an exciting day for football in Bermuda as we believe the Bermuda Futsal Federation has the ability to impact positively on players, coaches, referees and administrators of all ages and gender. From a player participation viewpoint, Futsal is an ideal way to introduce children to football. For children, the primary issue in their enjoyment of football is participation and the nature of Futsal makes for an all-inclusive game.”
So what about adult league
try reading the piece again to find the answer. Let me help you:
“From a player participation viewpoint, Futsal is an ideal way to introduce children to football. For children, the primary issue in their enjoyment of football is participation and the nature of Futsal makes for an all-inclusive game.”
At the same time, one would think that if there was large interest from adult players they would have organized themselves rather than waiting for someone to do it for them…
Frank
So in essence what we have here is a cute name for street football, albeit, played in a gym, with a special ball. Similar to what takes place at BAA gym (played with a regular ball) for decades now.So now lets attach a fee to play and and make it a bit more commercial, not ulike every other offering we seem to see these days in local sports. At some point poor kids will catch a break and maybe then we will finally see a return to the football we saw a few decades ago. The very best way to develop young players is to just let them play, unsupervised, without adult rules, whistles, coaches etc etc. I think that you will find that just about every football person worth their salt will echo the same sentiments. So here we go again, Futsal along with the Brazilian school et el and what we have is the same old stuff.But I wish them the very best of luck! Please , oh please parents…WAKE Up. Take your kids to the closest park,let them play among other kids, oversee from a distance , let them have fun, no whistles, no outside lines, no coaches, no referees,
no need for jerseys, boots, expensive sweats…just good old fun—now that;s how the great players in the world developed as youth players!!!
ahh another call for the good old days!
Yes Fustal is an attempt to bring a less formal version of the game under the FIFA umbrella you are absolutely right.
Unfortunately the combination of today’s “aspirational” parents and clubs looking toward efficient use of their resources means that the good old days are truly gone….and its the same whether you are talking about Middle Town, Minneapolis, Milan or Merseyside…
Perhaps its more the case in Bermuda that the clubs are responding to what the parents are demanding hence some private schools running their own football clubs and the growth in football schools…
Frank