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Futsal video highlights

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The steady growth in interest in Futsal was revealed today with the announcement of the 30 leagues that will provide the 16 finalists who will contest the 2006 FA Futsal Cup, and as a consequence then become England’s representatives in the 2007 UEFA Futsal Cup.

Futsal is essentially five-a-side but with some twists on how the game is currently played across most of England and has been designed by FIFA to provide a high paced, energetic, fast flowing game.

The growth in interest in the game is revealed in leagues will take place in locations that stretch from Hereford to Cumbria to Lowestoft.

There will be four leagues in London, whilst the Sheffield League looks like mounting their strongest challenge since 2003. Current National Champions Doncaster College are still not assured of qualification from a closely fought qualification league.

London White Bear will attempt to repeat their success of 2004 by taking part in a league based at the Space Centre, Hackney that will also feature a number of other teams originating from Eastern Europe and a strong background in Futsal.

A strong Brazilian emphasis is likely to emerge from the London Battersea Competition. Tranmere Victoria and Santos Futsal Clubs will be anxious to reassert their previous domestic prominence by winning a competitive qualifying competition based on the Wirral and in Pendle, Lancashire.

However, all established teams will be anxious about the growth of new ambitious leagues which could produce new high quality new teams and players. Birmingham will pose a particular challenge with the success of last year’s FA Plate Competition winners – Washwood Heath, sparking interest that has led to the formation of three qualifying leagues.

FA National Manager for Small Sided Football, Dermot Collins, commented: "I am delighted to see this growth in interest in the National Futsal Competition. If we can complement it with our Schools, colleges and University programme, a developing International Team and New Coaching Qualifications, Futsal has an exciting future in England."

Whilst some leagues are already in operation, many will be recruiting teams to take part in the qualifying tournaments from April to June and can be contacted by email by clicking here.