By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
FOR the many generations of Aussie kids brought up believing that football involved an elliptical ball on an oval manned by white-flannelled flag wavers, there’s been a revolution.
Notwithstanding the attempts by soccer’s leading bodies to rename the sport, the round-ball game is gaining significant traction locally.
Futsal is the soccer derivative sweeping young legs, in particular, off large grassy ovals and onto half-pitches for informal or fun-filled excuses for exercise.
Football Federation Victoria local development officer Foddy Kyprian said futsal had “taken off”.
“We would have around 500 juniors playing now, mostly outdoor, but there are also indoor competitions for under 17s down,” Foddy revealed.
“It’s very social, kids just play with their mates. There’s no real coaching, it’s just lot of fun because they form their own teams.
“A lot of the main football (soccer) clubs encourage it because it improves skills.
“There’s more mixing. People get to know each other instead of it becoming an us-and-them competitive attitude,” he said.
“It’s friendlier, the kids don’t complain to the referee and it actually changes parent behaviour – you get less of the ugly parent syndrome.”
Futsal competitions now run all year round for seniors and juniors alike, many run through City of Greater Geelong at its Barwon Valley Activity Centre and Bell Post Hill’s Leisuretime Centre.
“It’s good for improving fitness and we have noticed a lot of (Aussie rules) football players joining in for that reason,” Foddy chuckled.
“It’s a quick game – we have a four-second rule to keep things moving.”
The game is played on a firm, flat court surface ranging in size from a standard basketball court to the full FIFA International size of 42 by 25 metres.
The ball is a little different to a standard soccer ball, with a low rebound allowing greater control, which is important given the game is played in a confined space.
Players touch the ball more often than standard soccer, with many goals scored and complex rules such as off-side discarded.
Added to the growth of Futsal, small-sided games for kids aged under seven, nine and 11 years have also taken off.
Foddy said the game could be played almost anywhere, with cones marking the playing area and portable goals.
“We don’t have referees as such, but game leaders. The kids are always going on and coming off, and we keep it pretty informal, no scores are kept, there’s no ladder – it’s just kids learning to play in teams.
“We have a northern and a southern hub to cut down travel times for parents, and they see it as a safer option for their younger kids.”
More information is available at futsalgeelong.sportingpulse.net or by phoning 5272 4990.
