Courtesy: This is Bristol


Education and football are ideal match

BRISTOL Rovers are offering youngsters a unique chance to gain a free educational scholarship at the football club – and play futsal at the same time.

Futsal is a five-a-side game widely played across the world and is officially recognised by both UEFA and FIFA.

It normally takes place on a flat indoor pitch with hockey-sized goals and a size-four ball with a reduced bounce.

It is played to touchlines and all players are free to enter the penalty area and play the ball over head-height. Games are 20 minutes a half, played to a stopping clock – as in basketball – with time-outs permitted.

The Pirates are offering 16-year-old boys the chance to take up a two-year, full-time futsal and education scholarship which will lead to a Level Three BTEC National Extended Diploma in Sport – equivalent to three A Levels.

It is available to school Year-11 students who should have four GCSEs, or equivalent, at C grade or above.

Rovers community officer Peter Aitken said: "This groundbreaking venture is offering students something never seen before in Bristol.

"They can gain a first-class education that will get them to university, while playing futsal, and also qualifications that will help to gain employment in the sport and leisure industry.

"They will also train and compete in a professional futsal environment for Bristol Rovers against other clubs in the Football League."

Based at the Memorial Stadium and starting in September, the course will encompass eight hours of education and eight hours of futsal a week, including training and fixtures.

Students will be trained by Bristol Rovers coaches, take part in fortnightly fixtures against other Football League clubs and be treated like other club scholars in that they will wear club kit and watch the first team train and play on a matchday.

An open evening for potential students, who are in Year 11, will be held at the Memorial Stadium on Tuesday, May 24 (6.30pm-8pm).

Anyone interested in attending is asked to send a confirmation email to peteraitken@bristolroverscommunity.org.uk to book themselves in.

Aitken added: "Many top world-class footballers played futsal in their youth and credit it with supporting their footballing development – players of the calibre of Pele, Zico, Ronaldinho, Kaka and Lionel Messi, to name but a few.

"On the European stage, Cristiano Ronaldo, Deco, Xavi and Cesc Fabregas have played futsal to develop their skills."

Anyone requiring further information can email Aitken or call him on 0117 952 2581.


Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com