The winning teams from these competitions will have the opportunity to progress to The FA National Futsal Finals. The Finals will be held at the prestigious English Institute of Sport in July. The winners of the Finals have the opportunity to represent England in the 2006 UEFA Futsal Cup.

Sheffield Hallam FC were England’s representatives in 2004 but lost out in a UEFA Qualifying Tournament to the National Champions of Albania and Bulgaria.

Why Futsal ?

Futsal is a format of Small Sided Football that is played extensively throughout the world and as a consequence is recognised and supported by UEFA and FIFA.

The FA is seeking to develop Futsal in England as its preferred format of Small Sided football that:

  • Develops key football skills and techniques that The FA would wish to see extended in players of the National Game at all levels and of both sexes.
  • As an exciting and skilful game in its own right.
  • Promotes Fair Play.
  • Can be led by The FA and County FAs as the only form of Small Sided Football recognised by UEFA and FIFA.
  • Provides an opportunity to progress to The FA Futsal Cup, UEFA Futsal Club Cup and represent England in European and World Championships.
  • Contributes to the opportunities for disabled players - The game is played by the Visually Impaired and Deaf communities.

What does running a League involve?

Running a Futsal League will require you to:

1. Identify a suitable facility.

2. Devise a promotional strategy that will recruit the required number of teams. As Futsal is new to this country it can be hard work persuading players to try something different. You’ll need to target your potential teams and then spend time promoting and introducing the game to them. The FA will make available posters, postcards, leaflets, balls and videos to assist in promoting the game.

3. All leagues will need to be affiliated to the County Football Association. In return the County FA can organise training seminars for the Referees involved in the league.

4. Use of Futsal Equipment. The FA will seek to negotiate bulk discounts on Futsal goalposts and offer a subsidy. The cost to league organisers is likely to be in the region of £300.

5. Devise a basic business plan that balances the cost of pitch hire, referees, affiliation, equipment and promotion against the fees of participating teams.

6. Organise fixtures and inform teams and referees of this schedule. Ensure all teams are in a position to complete their fixture each week.

7. Collect and collate team sheets for the participating teams to ensure that the teams progressing to The FA Futsal Finals are made up of those players that took part in the qualifying competition.

8. Produce and update league tables.

9. Ensure the league programme is completed by 16 June 2005.

Who will the leagues provide for?

The Leagues will run a male adult competition in order to qualify teams for the FA Futsal Cup.

However The FA is keen to extend opportunities for children - both boys and girls over the age of 11, female adult and competitions involving disabled competitors.

FA Development funding may be available to support the start up costs for work involving these groups and opportunities to play in friendly matches at the FA National Futsal Finals.

What does the FA require to be in place in order to run a League?

The FA’s essential criteria for operating a league are as follows:

  • The pitch must be rectangular, have fixed Futsal markings and it’s dimensions must fit into the following criteria:
    • Width: minimum 15m, maximum 25m
    • Length: minimum 25m, maximum 42m
  • The goal posts must measure 3m wide x 2m tall
  • A Futsal ball should be used for all fixtures
  • The pitch should provide a firm and consistent playing surface. An indoor wooden or plastic surface would be ideal. Synthetic surfaces are also permissible. Grass is not an appropriate surface on which to play Futsal.
  • A minimum of two referees must be used for each game.
  • There must be a minimum of eight competing teams. Depending on the length of the league each team can play each other once or twice.
  • Games should last two equal periods of between 15 and 20 minutes in length with one time out per team per half. Note that matches do not have to be played real time.
  • The league must be affiliated to the County FA.
  • All league fixtures must comply with the competition rules for the National Championships and be completed by Friday 16 June

Qualification to FA Futsal Finals

Once the number of leagues is agreed The FA will identify the qualification process for the FA Futsal Finals. Leagues that are well established and have a large number of competitive teams may be offered direct qualification to the finals for one or more teams.

Other leagues may be required to be involved in play off games to secure a place in the final. League organisers will be informed of the qualification process prior to the commencement of League programmes.

What support will the FA offer to Futsal Leagues?

To assist new Futsal league operators The FA is prepared to offer subsidised equipment, promotional support, seminars for referees. In some cases limited financial support may be available to assist with initial promotion and match official fees.

Further Information?

Queries should be emailed to dermot.collins@thefa.com

Application Process

Potential organisers should complete the application form and return it to the following address by Monday 06 December:

Dermot Collins
The National Manager – Small Sided Football
The Football Association
25 Soho Square
London
W1D 4FA

dermot.collins@thefa.com