Courtesy: Dunfermline Press




Ex-Dunfermline player aims to shape skills of next Messi

2nd May

Could an ex-Dunfermline Athletic player be shaping the skills of the next Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo or Pele?

Russell Taylor launched Futsal Escocia in 2015 as a hobby with just 16 children taking part during one season at Inverkeithing High School.

His training programme now has 200 youngsters taking part in 15 sessions across the Kingdom, including in Dunfermline and Inverkeithing.

Futsal is similar to five-a-side football but is played at a faster pace on a hard court surface using a smaller, heavier ball.

Russell, from Rosyth, said: “Our coaching programmes teach children to take responsibility for how they play rather than waiting for a coach to dictate their every move.

“By developing that thought process, we create more intelligent players.

"Futsal will not only improve their skills, it will also translate into an improvement in their 11-a-side game.

“Interest in fustal is on the rise and I am fielding enquiries for potential franchisees from throughout Scotland, however, the location and the coach have to be right.

“Because the vast majority of coaches involved in youth sport have full-time jobs, I initially offer a pilot franchise that reduces the financial outlay and risk.”

Russell’s success transcends Fife, with a franchise academy in Ayr and a pilot scheme in Glasgow, with Inverness also set for a taster of futsal in the near future.

Futsal Escocia’s ‘Developing a Player’ coaching programme focuses on skill and ability, providing boys and girls from the age of five to 17 with the chance to play one of the fastest-rising indoor sports in the world.

The business is also set to introduce their ‘El Nino’s’ course, a futsal experience for three- to five-year-olds after the summer.

Russell was aided by Business Gateway Fife in launching his business, and thanked them for their advice and support.

He said: “The support I’ve had has helped enormously; from working with a financial accountancy adviser to deciding the best operational model to sitting with franchise experts to pick the best route to take long-term.”

For more information on Futsal Escocia, visit: www.futsalescocia.co.uk.


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