Courtesy: dailyrecord.co.uk

Perth futsal pioneer returns home after time in France and wants to help grow the sport

He has returned to Perth after becoming the first Scot to play professional futsal in France.

And now Kyle Ballingall plans to use the experience gained to improve and enhance the sport in Scotland.

The 20-year-old moved to the continent last year to sign for Nantes Erdre Futsal, who play in Division One in France, and gradually worked his way into the first team squad.

Former Perth Grammar School pupil Ballingall always kept tabs on the development of the game back home and knows how much potential there is in the current set-up.

Futsal, a fast-paced, five-a-side game played with a reduced-bounce ball places emphasis on technique and is regarded as one of the fastest growing sports in the country. In Scotland it was pioneered in Perth.

“The sport is definitely growing in Scotland and I believe it can continue to improve over the coming years,” Ballingall said.

“This isn’t only the quality on the court but structure and professionalism on top of this to allow the sport to grow to its maximum potential.

“That’s so we can compete at European qualifiers at both club and international level, which I believe is very possible.

“After travelling around Europe for two years, playing and learning, I have decided that next year I will be returning to Scotland.

“My first objective is to recover from an injury I’ve picked up and to play as soon as possible.

“After this I would like to contribute as much coaching as I can to futsal in Scotland. Whether this will be at youth or adult level I do not know yet. I have enjoyed playing in Europe but now feels like the correct time to return home.”

Ballingall had previously jetted out to train with MNK Alumnus in Zagreb in a bid to gain further knowledge of a game which he first played at Bell’s Sports Centre.

When the opportunity arose to play competitively in France it was a chance he was never going to turn down and it is an experience he would encourage other Scots to get involved in.

“My time in France was great,” he said. “I played and trained with players who are of a high level and was able to learn from them every day at training.

“The whole experience benefited me on and off the court and it is an experience nobody can take away from me.

“I felt I was always improving as a player but after getting a long-term injury my focus changed to try and improve my coaching knowledge with the youths.

“Despite this, I still feel I have improved and will return from this injury a better player than I was 12 months ago.

“I’d definitely recommend this experience to anyone, regardless of ability. Whether it’s coaching, playing or just watching, it will benefit anyone interested in the sport.

“My understanding of the game has improved and being able to coach the youth teams with top coaches and watch matches weekly has contributed just as much as playing.”

Scotland recently recorded their first win at international level - against Gibraltar in Perth - and Ballingall was gutted to have missed out on creating history because of injury.

But he has vowed to come back stronger and plans to one day pull on the national jersey at a major competition.

He told the Perthshire Advertiser: “I was devastated and I still am devastated that I missed the Scotland games.

“But I am prepared to work hard to regain my fitness and sharpness to make myself available for the next training and matches.

“If I can do this then I hope that one day I will play for Scotland but I must work harder than anyone else to do so.”




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