Staffordshire success at regional Futsal competition

Shropshire Football Association hosted the regional event for this ever-growing sport at the new Shrewsbury Sports Village.  This was the first tournament of its kind in the country and its excellent organisation and delivery resulted in the Vice-Chairman of The FA’s Small Sided Committee (and Chief Executive for the Staffs FA), Brian Adshead, announcing the Sports Village as hosts for the 2009 Midlands Regional Futsal League. 

Organised by the Shropshire FA Football Development Team, the all-day event saw teams from all five counties of the West Midlands – Shropshire, Herefordshire, Staffordshire, Birmingham and Worcester competing at both Adult and Junior level.

The day kicked off with the U12 Boys Tournament followed by the U12 Girls. This gave the teams a taste of competition within the sport at regional level.  Staffordshire were represented by Cheadle High School in the U12 Boys category and Wolstanton High School in the U12 Girls category.

The boys from Cheadle High School gave an excellent account of themselves in a format of the game which was very new to their staff and players alike, and the girls at Wolstanton High School exceeded all expectations by winning all 4 of their games, scoring 14 goals and conceding only 1 on their way to lifting this prestigious trophy – a fantastic achievement for the school, and their teacher Danny Robb, who have really embraced the game of Futsal and regularly deliver it in both the curriculum and out of school hours.

Pictured above are the victorious team from Wolstanton High School celebrating their success at the inaugural Regional Futsal Tournament.

Shropshire came out on top in the men’s competition as The New Saints of Oswestry Futsal Club beat Team Birmingham in their final game; the New Saints will now be hoping to make the most of the home advantage in the Regional League starting in early 2009. The Staffordshire men’s team was made up of Partnership Development Managers from Sports Colleges within Staffordshire, along with other key personnel who will hopefully help to promote the game of Futsal throughout schools across Staffordshire now they have experienced this exciting format of the game first hand!

For further information on the game of Futsal, including Futsal initiatives within Staffordshire, please contact Gareth Thomas at the Staffordshire FA for further information on  

Gareth Thomas
Football Development Officer
Staffordshire FA
T: 01785 256994 (Option 2)
M: 07815 295723
E: Gareth.Thomas@staffordshirefa.com