Silky skills and nifty nutmegs will be on show next week as an exciting new sporting competition for youngsters kicks off.
Liverpool City Council is launching its first ever Junior Mixed Futsal League on Friday 26 October, in partnership with the Liverpool County FA and Ash Celtic Junior Football Club.
The fast-paced game is similar to 5-a-side football, but is played indoors, on a smaller pitch, with a smaller ball and there is a heavy emphasis on skill and technique.
Around 30 teams have already signed up to take part in the introductory matches, but organisers are encouraging more youngsters to get involved and become part of the new league.
The league is aimed at budding players aged from 7-10 years and it costs just £12.50 per team to enter. The sessions will take place every Friday at the Tennis Centre in Wavertree, running until the end of February 2013.
To mark the inaugural games in the city, Wavertree ward Councillor Jake Morrison will meet teams making up the new league and may even try out his futsal skills!
Councillor Morrison, said: “Liverpool is a city with sport running through its veins and we want to do as much as we can to encourage future generations to get active.
“The futsal league is a first for the city but with so many teams already signed up it already looks like it will be a great success
“It gives young people the chance to try out different skills, and is an opportunity for them to be part of something new, exciting and fun.”
Ricky Heywood, Ash Celtic Junior Football Club Secretary and Welfare Officer said: “The Ash Celtic Futsal league was an idea of Tommy Walsh who coaches several of our age groups and his idea, which is shared by all at the club, was to provide a platform for the young footballers of our city on which they can develop their technical skills.
“Futsal is ideal for this with the fast pace and heavier ball along with the emphasis on skill and passing, it is our belief that the players will improve if they are brought up on this game from an early age – just like Messi, Iniesta, Ronaldinho and many others from South America and Spain.
“We believe it is time we were developing players with this type of technical skill and Futsal will give them every chance to achieve this.”
For more information about the Junior Futsal League contact Ricky Heywood on 07547617427.
