Courtesy: yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk


Trials take place at University of York

THE York City Football Club Foundation are launching the brand new Futsal team and will be hosting their first trials on Friday, 5th August at the University of York to join their FA National League top-flight futsal squad.

Having previously fielded a University of York side in the National League, manager and coach, Junior Roberti is now looking to expand the Futsal offer locally with a York City National League team to offer talented players an opportunity to play the five-a-side sport at the highest level in this country.

The passion for the game is demonstrated by Brazilian coach Junior who, after being told he would not make the grade in 11-a-side football, played futsal professionally in his home country, Spain and Italy before hanging up his boots in 2008.

Roberti has previously coached Leeds and Sheffield FC in the National League and helped the University of York side reach the European University Championships in Malaga during 2013/14.

Futsal differs to traditional five-a-side football in this country as it is played with a heavier ball on hard-court surfaces to encourage close control. A five-foul rule also promotes fair play, with a ten-metre penalty awarded to the opposition when that quota is reached in either half of a game. Each subsequent foul then receives the same punishment until the half is completed.

The new season, kicking off in mid-September, will see the York City team compete against clubs such as Tranmere Rovers, Durham, Derby, Liverpool, and Manchester.

Paula Stainton, Foundation Manager, said “This is a fantastic new addition to our offer. Futsal is now played by over 30 million people worldwide and is an amazing tool to achieve a high level of technique, movement, tactical awareness and fitness in players of the 11-a-side game. It needs to be recognised more as a sport in its own right however, and so we are keen to increase awareness for the fast paced and challenging game of Futsal locally.”

Jackie McNamara said: “Futsal is a great thing to develop skills. It’s fantastic for kids to see another side of football, and for the community and York City fans alike. We’re hoping to have a Futsal match against the new team very soon.”

Junior Roberti said, “This is a wonderful development for Futsal locally. We will continue to develop from the foundation’s provided by working in partnership with the University of York in previous years and will continue to run a separate student only team to play in the BUCS league. We are very excited to have this opportunity to develop the National League side with York City, and be able to expand with the support and guidance of the York City Football Club Foundation.”

If you are male, aged 16+ and would like to trial, please turn up on Friday from 7.00pm at the University of York Sports Centre, James Way, Heslington West Campus, YO10 5NA. For further information or future trial dates, please email on futsal.ycfc@outlook.com




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