Courtesy: Rappler


Futsal: Two new venues boost the 5-a-side game

Courts in Payatas and Merville could help spur growth in the small-sided game

August 17, 2016

MANILA, Philippines – Gino Vergel De Dios grew up playing futsal in the Ateneo covered courts. When his family moved to Merville, he realized there was no place to play the 5-a-side game on a smooth surface nearby.

Fortunately, his family is involved with the Australian International School in its new United Campus in Merville that it shares with the Mahatma Gandhi International School. Gino ended up completing the construction of the new multipurpose gym, which he now calls the United Campus Court. The gym replaces an open air court.

The surface is taraflex with a faux-wood finish so there is some give on the knees. It has been described as “triple-density” taraflex.

Like most futsal courts in the country, it's actually a basketball court, so it's designed to have a playing surface 25 meters long and 15 meters wide. However, there is enough allowance to squeeze in an extra meter or two on all sides. An international-match spec futsal court is actually vastly larger than a hoops court, measuring 40 meters long and 20 meters wide. It's believed that the only futsal court that approaches international size in Metro Manila is the multi-sport surface in the University of Asia and the Pacific.

Right now, there are no permanent lines for any sport on the surface.

LED lights ring the court for pretty good illumination. There are also basketball goals. Vergel De Dios says he is open to renting the court out for any sport, but the facility, which only recently opened its doors, hosts Saturday afternoon futsal open play sessions. There are already some futsal tournaments lined up for the court, spearheaded by Tetel Siasoco's Clean Sheet Sports Management and Consultancy group.

There is a grass football field right outside the court building that is about 60 meters by 60 meters, good enough for senior training or small-sided recreational games. This area is not yet lit, but if lights are installed, it could be a viable spot for football at night.

Vergel De Dios says he intends to charge P1,000 an hour for use of the court on off-peak hours, and P1,500 for peak hours. No doubt he will have access to good advice. His brother, Ton Vergel De Dios, is the partner of Amanda Fernandez, the proprietor of the Sparta turf pitch in Pioneer.

On the other side of town, another futsal court has emerged. Unlike the United Campus court, which will presumably cater mostly to paying clients, the Payatas Sports Center will serve as a venue for underprivileged footballers. The Fair Play for All Foundation in Payatas, Quezon City finally has a proper futsal court. The days of boxing-out basketball teams at the barangay court are now over for FFA's team, Payatas FC.

The cement outdoor court measures 18 meters wide and 25 meters long, so at least in width it approximates a real professional futsal surface. It's bare concrete at present, but FFA's Roy Moore says they may want to top it with paint or some form of coating in the future.

The regulation futsal goal frames, (two meters high and 3 meters wide), feature some neat ideas. Instead of plastic nets, they have permanent steel wire mesh, welded onto the steel tubes. This picture gives a good idea of how it works.

This steel mesh means no more replacing flimsy plastic nets after a few months of use. The goal frames are also firmly affixed to the ground.

FFA was able to get primary funding from the Straight Arrow Corporation as well as the DTSI Group to build the court, which cost P500,000. The Bootcamp football store and the Australian Embassy in the Philippines also contributed. The foundation was able to purchase the land, supposedly one of the few titled lots in Payatas, which is known for its massive dumpsite.

Moore says the court will host matches of the Metro Manila Futsal League and other tournaments. He also envisions the place as a magnet for civic-minded companies that wish to have company outings or outreach activities involving fun pick-up games with the kids. The day can also include meals at the nearby Fairplay cafe which serves healthy vegetarian food. FFA also grows its own vegetables in an urban garden.

Eventually, FFA plans another court in the excess land beside the current one. Moore says they intend to make simple bleachers and comfort rooms as well. The long-term plan is to put a roof over the entire complex to allow year-round use.

While the Payatas court has no provisions for basketball, the United Campus facility does. This reveals a truth about futsal: that any basketball court can become a place to play football. All you really need is a pair of goal frames. With that in mind, there suddenly is no more shortage in football venues in the country, with thousands of basketball courts becoming potential futsal courts as well.

There are other advantages to futsal too. It is arguably a better development tool because the players get more touches than in 11-a-side games. Since it's on a smooth surface, there are less chances for funny bounces. Plus, no expensive spiked shoes are necessary. Any flat-soled athletic shoe will do.

The creation of these courts comes at a good time. Nomads Sports Club, a stone's throw from the United Campus, is losing its field, and another prominent football venue is also about to close doors. We need all the football and futsal fields we can get our hands on.

Last month, UP's Daniel Gadia made his debut for the Azkals in a friendly against Aussie side Perth Glory in Ilocos Sur. Gadia, who also plays for Loyola and is the reigning UAAP MVP, is not from the provinces, where our national team footballers have traditionally hailed from, nor an overseas-born Filipino, nor from a wealthy family in Manila who could afford a school with football. The midfielder is from a humble background and was introduced to the game on a futsal court in Santa Mesa Heights. (That court is reportedly long-gone.) From there he was spotted by San Beda and eventually ended up in UP for his university career.

Futsal can be a great incubator for talent. Let's hope that more great Filipinos get their start in Payatas and Merville in the years to come. – Rappler.com



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