Courtesy: Sportsbyte Sunderland


Futsal league aims to help Sunderland

7/12/12

A new futsal league that has recently been set-up in Sunderland hopes to be the difference in helping the city progress at the sport.

The league was created by the University of Sunderland, to be played every Sunday between four and six in the evenings, as they believe it’s a step in the right-direction for the area to become more aware of futsal. With the sport only coming to the city at the start of October last year, it’s still relatively new to the people of the city.

However, despite running a similar league last year, the university hope that with a year’s experience behind them they can make the sport more popular, especially with the University team competing in the BUCS league and their recent semi-final success in their first tournament of the year all helping to achieve the goal.

Sam Brown, Sports Development Officer at the University of Sunderland, believes that they’re moving in the right direction in promoting futsal. She said: “Like any new project, it does take time to get going. Considering futsal only came to the Sunderland area last year, I think it’s progressed well and I really think it can become a big sport in Sunderland.”

Brown also believes they can take valuable tips from near neighbours Middlesbrough, who have been an accomplished futsal team since their formation in 2007 including playing in Europe.

“Middlesbrough have been a great example for futsal in the north, and we’re hoping we can match the levels they’re achieving,” said Brown.

Middlesbrough have a weekend team alongside their university team, which at present, Sunderland currently don’t have.

But with both men’s and women’s futsal teams playing in the BUCS league, and the men’s team competing in tournaments outside university time, it’s hoped that the new futsal league will attract more players, and in the future, have the option to create a side outside of the university.

Philip Sheerin, a key player for the Mens team, is fully behind this idea. He said: “This league is a great opportunity for players to progress their skills, not only we will hopefully see some new faces, but it will be also be like playing friendly matches in preparation for our league games. I think it will be a real success.”

The league runs every Sunday evening between 4-6. Anyone interested in playing should email sam.brown@sunderland.ac.uk






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