Loughborough Students Association Football

F U T S A L

Futsal is a growing sport in the United Kingdom. Loughborough University Futsal Club have taken massive strides to be at the forefront of its develop and currently compete in the FA National Futsal League, Leicestershire League and BUSA tournament.

We are proud to continue this and develop players such as Michael Lyons (2000-03) and Jack Robinson (2004-07) who have represented England whilst with Loughborough. We won the Leicestershire league in 2007 and hope to continue that success in the coming years.

Futsal is a fantastic sport and one which we hope to support through our fantastic facilities and backroom staff here at Loughborough. We are also keen to promote the game locally... if you'd like to get in touch please don't hesitate to do so on: admin@lsafc.com.

FUTSAL PRESS RELEASE

Spanish Superstar Saves the day
National Futsal Conference March 30th 2008
Birmingham Tigers 5 Loughborough University 7

An historic day for newly formed Loughborough University Futsal club, saw an international class performance by Loughborough’s player coach Idafe Perez. Perez, was the star of the show pulling off a series of incredible stops against a much more experienced and at times rampant Birmingham Tigers attack.

The capacity crowd at Birmingham’s Nechells sports centre witnessed a game of true class and excitement and Loughborough’s first win in the National Futsal conference. Perez not only the outstanding player on show was also the architect of Loughborough’s outfield performance having only recently taking the reigns as Loughborough’s director of Futsal. The University Football programme have been encouraged to envelope Futsal into its already hectic schedule and the experienced Tenerifian was the obvious choice to take up the mantle.

Loughborough’s Head player Coach, Tom Curtis, unfortunately sidelined due to a heavy knock the day before in the 11 a side version of the game said “The Colonel has been vital to the clubs development over the past eighteen months behind the scenes, and now has proved himself on the court. His experience of playing and coaching Futsal will be an enormous advantage, as we look to develop the Futsal club and progress in the National Conference”

At times an absorbing and entertaining game saw Tigers and Loughborough battle out one of the games of the conference so far. Loughborough’s young guns were magnificent in front of the in form Perez, showing glimpses of Ronaldinio style potential, which had supporters and Curtis a like, drooling at the prospect of the remainder of the season and Loughborough’s showpiece event against arch rivals Team Bath in the upcoming Varsity game on April 30th.

Team; Perez, Moulds, Aldred, Jones, Clarkson, Molloy, Chiavetta, Miller, Issa, Stellon, Curtis.

FUTSAL PRESS RELEASE 14/03/08

Loughborough makes debut in national FA Fustal League

Loughborough University’s Futsal players make their Midlands League debut this weekend as part of a new national structure introduced by the FA.

The inaugural FA Umbro Futsal Leagues, involving the best 23 teams in the country, kicked off this month in the Midlands, South and North in a bid to grow the sport across England.

Futsal is an indoor small-sided version of football which uses a smaller, heavier ball than the 11-a-side game and requires greater skill, movement, fitness and tactical awareness. Originating in South America, players compete on a marked pitch similar to the full size counterpart with hockey-sized goals, but cannot use the walls as in the traditional five-a-side game.

With an emphasis on individual skill and technical development Futsal is a more appropriate development game for football and is widely popular with players of all ages across Europe and South America. Futsal is played for 30 minutes each way with squads of up to 12 players. There is no height restriction on the ball and rolling substitutions are allowed.

Loughborough University head football coach Tom Curtis believes Futsal will help develop his players and he is looking forward to playing a part in developing the sport in England.

“When we heard about the Futsal league we were really keen to get involved,” he said. “Futsal is a great game for developing players and improving core skills that can then be transferred to the football pitch.

“We are the only team from Leicestershire in the league and we’re hoping to raise the profile of the game in the area and get more people playing. Our long-term our goal is to establish ourselves as a leading centre for Futsal, make the University a regional hub for the sport and also involve non-student players.”

Loughborough now face Birmingham Tigers in their opening match this Sunday (16 March) at the Nechells Community Sports Centre in Birmingham.

Eight teams are in the Midlands league and each team will play each other twice. The top two from each division progress to a play-off final at the end of September to contest for the title of National Champion and the qualification place for the UEFA Futsal Cup.

-ENDS-