Courtesy: Scottish FA Web Site


Highland coaches learn benefits of futsal

Wednesday, 10 July 2013

Keep up-to-date with the latest football activities in the North region on twitter @sfa_north

Coaches in the Scottish FA's North region are adopting Futsal to help develop players, after the Scottish FA kicked off the Vauxhall Schools Futsal programme at 18 secondary schools nationwide last year.

A recent in-service at Gairloch High School in the North West Highlands explained the benefits of the South American game to local coaches.

Futsal places emphasis on technique, and is one of the fastest growing sports in the world.

Scottish FA/Highland Life football development officer, Peter Budge, deliver a presentation to local coaches on how playing the game can enhance performance in football.

Peter said: “The surface, the ball, and the rules of futsal all promote better ball control, improvisation and creativity.

“I’d recommend futsal as an important tool in the box of any football coach.

“Futsal can be a real benefit for football teams and it was encouraging to see there are so many coaches in teh local area who view it this way too.”

Kenny Nelson is a coach with Wester Ross Youth Football Club and attended the in-service.

He said: “I heard about Futsal last year and introduced it to my primary school football training sessions.

“I think it’s a fantastic game and I can really see a rapid improvement in the ball control skills of the children.”

St Johnstone and Scotland midfielder, Murray Davidson, helped to launch the Vauxhall Schools Futsal programme last year.

Teams compete in leagues within each secondary school, and gather for a national final at Bell’s Sports Centre in Perth each February.

The programme was developed following research conducted by the Scottish FA highlighting a significant drop-out rate of players aged between 12 and 18 at secondary school due to the increase in pressures of exams, part time work, social calendar and boredom.

The Vauxhall Schools Futsal programme is designed to embrace the fast-paced, skill-based indoor alternative to the traditional game to re-engage young players and reduce the fall-out in this age-group.

If you would be interested in organising a Futsal in-service session in your area, or would like more information contact peter.budge@highlifehighland.com or tel: 01349 863399


Watch Scotland international Murray Davidson talk about the benefits of futsal here.