Scottish Futsal Report – Year end 2015by
Mark PotterFutsal in Scotland has continued to grow in the last 12 months with a number of initiatives strengthening the sport at all levels.
The organisation of the first ever Scottish Futsal Cup, the continuing development of coach education courses, and the commitment to entering the Scotland National Futsal Team into the 2017 European Championships highlight the work being done at all levels of the game.
The biggest challenge remains that of developing a place for Futsal in the sporting consciousness of the nation, but with “grassroots” development and routes for the very best Scottish players to play at the highest level, there are clear indications that Scotland is recognising Futsal for all its positive impact on players, young and old, whatever the aspiration.
Scottish Futsal LeagueThe SFL is now well-established as the partner of the Scottish Amateur FA to develop and manage the national adult League structure for Futsal.
The SFL comprises a National League Executive, some of whose members sit on the SAFA Futsal Sub Committee, and Regional Committees managing the development of Leagues under the SFL structure at a local level.
This structure gives the adult game a clear communication pathway to the national governing body, allows for a proactive input to the way the sport evolves and ensures compliance with the demands of local, national and international governance.
There are currently 6 regional leagues; Aberdeen, Dundee, Perth, Stirling, Edinburgh and Glasgow with around 60 registered teams. The winning team from each regional competition qualifies for the SFL National Finals, held in May.
Five Cities Aberdeen, FC Polonia Dundee, FC Santos Perth, Stirling University and Wattcell Edinburgh participated in the 2015 finals. (The Glasgow league started in August 2015, after the first edition of the finals)
The winning team from the National Finals, which were held over 2 days, then enters the UEFA Futsal Cup as Scotland Club representatives. As the competition grows, the development of a structured National League programme would be a potential next stage.
Each of the leagues has its own Cup competitions, in addition to the normal League programme, but the Scottish Futsal Cup signifies another step forward into the mainstream sporting community.
With initial rounds played in sections, North and South, teams from across the country have the opportunity to play against opponents they would not normally meet, as well as the challenges of travel, home advantage, player availability and all that goes with the “romance of the Cup”. The concept of a National Cup competition has a long and proud history with sportsmen and women and this competition again demonstrates a place for Futsal within the sporting community. Third round and quarter final fixtures are on a National basis, with the Cup semi-finals and final being played in early April in Dundee.
The introduction of a North v South Select match between the semi finals and final (for players from teams knocked out before this stage) is another innovative initiative to give as many players as possible the opportunity to experience competition Futsal to continue to improve player and team quality across the leagues.
The SFL is also developing positive partnerships with other organisations operating Futsal activities, and has provided admin and referee support to Scottish Student Sport for the BUCS National Futsal competition. The Regional League matches were held in West Lothian College, and the team from Stirling University has won through to the national group stages.
Player, Coach and Referee EducationThe Scottish FA continues to present regional “Introduction to Futsal” coach education courses and is currently working on a more advanced “Level 2” course for coaches.
As the game grows, and the number of teams and players increases, so the opportunities for further competition develops and in order to improve those involved a clear development structure is required.
The SFA has embarked on a wide range of coach education opportunities, culminating in June this year with representation at the UEFA Futsal “B” License coach educators course in Belfast. The long term aim would be to present a UEFA B License in Scotland.
In addition to the requirement to develop coaches and players, the demand for match officials is also increasing. There were several Futsal Conversion courses presented throughout the regions and each League now has a number of match referees officiating each week. Several of these officials will participate in the Scottish Cup Finals weekend, the National League Finals weekend and again, in the long term, some officials may get the opportunity to undertake FIFA referee training and perhaps participate in UEFA or FIFA Club or International events.
Scotland Futsal National TeamIn January 2015 Scotland entered the first ever National team into the European Championships.
This was again a landmark occasion, demonstrating a clear commitment from the governing body for the sport in Scotland that they were ready to join the wider Futsal Family.
The team was developed over a short period of time, but off court activities and management generally went well, and it allowed those involved the opportunity to experience everything that goes into preparing and participating at this level. Despite results, the team improved throughout the tournament and there remained an ambition to continue this programme.
In August this year it was announced that the National Team programme would be continuing with a view to participating in the 2017 Euros. The player identification programme, player development coaching and match preparations are now underway with players from amateur, semi-professional and senior clubs now involved.
The futureThe cohesion of the three programmes highlighted above is key to the long term stability of the sport of Futsal in Scotland. Each needs the other to remain sustainable in the long term. Without the high level coach education programme developing coaches working with young players, in particular, then the next generation of player will not be able to develop and compete at the highest level. Without the adult League structure, that generation will not have the forum to demonstrate and develop their skills in a competitive environment. Without the National Team, the very best players would not have anything to aspire to.
Each of these programmes has a vital role within the overall structure and the success currently being experienced in the growth of the sport in Scotland is in no small measure down to the respectful partnerships which exist between all those within the sport. The large number of volunteers working in Leagues across the country is vital for the sustainability of this structure within the framework of the governing body. The highly respected Coach Education team at the SFA brings huge experience and knowledge of developing players and coaches to the Futsal community and the SFA performance team infrastructure supports the efforts of the National Team programme.
With continued development in each of these programmes there is every reason to suggest that Futsal in Scotland has a bright future.
Mark Pottermarkpotter14@btinternet.comChairman of the Scottish Amateur FA Futsal Sub-Committee
Scottish Futsal League
National Team Head Coach
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