Courtesy: Northern Life


Popularity of futsal explodes in Sudbury

May 06, 2013

Calling it ‘indoor soccer’ annoys enthusiasts, though

by Randy Pascal

Folks could be forgiven for mistaking as indoor soccer games the activity transpiring virtually every Sunday afternoon throughout the winter at École Felix-Ricard.

Of course, that could cause “futsal” organizer Mike Graham — and all those who take part in the games — to cringe. Their passion for this derivative of the “beautiful game” runs as deep as their adherence to the notion the nuances that distinguish futsal from indoor soccer are clear and distinct, and worth protecting.

“Futsal is a court sport,” explained Graham. “It’s played with a ball that is smaller and deadened and doesn’t bounce as much. Consequently, players are better able to control the ball.

And because it’s a five-on-five game (including keepers), players get more touches.”

Developed in South America in the 1930s and 1940s, futsal is more popular in Brazil than soccer, according to Wikipedia. For Graham, the initial variation that came about with the move indoors is simply a logical one.

“Futsal mimics outdoor soccer,” he said. “Because the ball is deadened, it acts like a regular ball on a grass surface, even though it’s played on hardwood floors.”

The longtime Sudburian received his first taste of the sport almost two decades ago when soccer aficionados, who would gather regularly at the Brebeuf fields throughout the summer, looked for an indoor alternative.

By that time, futsal had been rapidly gaining in popularity globally, though not necessarily close to home. To Graham’s knowledge, the Futsal Sudbury league is the only one of its kind in Northern Ontario.

Launched eight years ago with an initial participation of some 30 players, the loop has grown to accommodate 200 players this year, including a youth team.

“The beauty of futsal is that because there is less contact than indoor soccer and outdoor soccer, the young players are able to compete with the older players much better,” said Graham. “The game is all about ball control, passing and speed.”

Of course, developing those skills proves useful for the outdoor game as well.


Zack Neault would agree.

A member of the GSSC (Greater Sudbury Soccer Club) Impact U15 boys team, this past winter Neault and his mates became the first youth squad to enter, full-fledged, into the Futsal Sudbury league.

“We’re going into the CSL (Central Soccer League) this summer and we needed some practice in the winter,” he said.

It didn’t take long before the benefits were crystal clear to Neault and his team.

“It’s a lot faster game, and the ball is easier to kick because it’s harder,” said Neault. “We definitely got better at passing quickly. We should have a lot more control with the ball during the summer now.”

Yet the foot skill needed to thrive in the futsal setting is hardly the only attraction to throwing young and old together.

“People have a misconception, thinking that because we play in a confined area, there is necessarily more contact,” Graham said. “In fact, there is less contact. Because of that, parents felt comfortable allowing their kids to play with the adults.”

While some of the emphasis on limited contact might be inherent in the rules of the game, it is also a mindset that is drilled home by league organizers and game officials alike.

The notion is to develop fully the ability to control a smaller ball with either foot. Players at an elite level are often capable of ball-handling wizardry that would captivate a YouTube viewing audience for hours at a time.

And if the one-on-one move is not there for the taking, move the ball – quickly. “Traditionally, in a futsal game, there is not a lot of holding of the ball,” said Graham. “It really is almost impossible for a couple of really good players to carry a team.

“Futsal demands working with your teammates.”

More information on the game of Futsal as well as the local league can be found at the league website, futsalsudbury.ca






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