FUTSAL

FUTSAL

I would be interested to know your views on FUTSAL.

Personally, I much prefer 5-a-side to futsal. However, I realise that us Brits are in the minority as most countries play futsal instead. I have played futsal in Wellington, but I don't know whether that is true futsal or not. . 

I love Futsal and can't stand the 5-a-side as played at Queens Wharf... although to be fair I'm rubbish at both.

When the 5-a-side was at the Events Centre, it was really good. When they went to Shed 1, I didn't like it.

Excellent - thanks guys for kicking off this topic.

I have to say none of the centres across Wgtn play to the proper FIFA rules. I agree the Brits are not the best futsal players. In fact their national team is yet to actually win a game! The players come from lower and non-league football. That is not to say they are not as good as say the Premier league players but futsal requires slightly different aspects plus in England there is not the same money as the Premier League. It is not easy for the English FA but they are throwing huge resources and finances into developing the game. Good luck to them.

Futsal ideally should be played on a wooden surface with a proper size 4 futsal ball. The futsal ball had a 30% reduced bounce to a normal ball. This is to assist the player improve their skills and technique plus it is ridiculous to have a size 5 green fluffy thing bouncing all over a court (approx 40x20)

Education is the key - for players, refs, coaches, administrators etc. I say, first thing let's get professional futsal on our sports channels. Let the public see just what a fast, skillful, exciting game it is!

I think one of the ideas is to get more fun back in it, play with your mates with the music going, inside or outside, mixing with other guys. I think it would be great to get some of that back I used to play in old mercantile league as well as CL and it was good fun and played in a good spirit(most of time) and at quite a high level in top division.  You also don't see people playing in the streets (or even in parks) in NZ so hopefully it might be a good substitute for that.

The futsal venues both use the size 4 ball. Re-reading my post, I may have inadvertently implied that they use the 5-a-side ball. As a keeper, one thing I prefer in futsal is the ball. Having a normal surface, I can wear my keeping gloves. For 5-a-side, there's no point as I wouldn't gain any grip on the fabric ball. Instead, I just tape up my finger joints to avoid injuries.

yes newtown is much smaller than kilbirnie.  here is the min size a futsal court can be 25m long x 15m wide the max is 42m long x 25m

Capital Football coaches are out introducing it to schools at the moment. They are pushing it as a way to keep more college aged kids in the game.  All federations have received funding to help its push into colleges so they are expecting it to take off big time.

They used to have a full size court and league in Newtown, not the small netball cout size they use now.  Maybe worthwhile contacting them to see if it could be started up again (would definately be keen to play again).

Totally agree with Alexf - get your mates together, get a ball, inside or out, on the beach, wherever, the carpark!, music blasting out. Have you seen the dvd, Ginga - The Soul of Brasilian Football? I think every club, team and player should have a copy or at least watched it. It's brilliant. It shows the passion and skills plus the sheer love of playing football. I highly recommend it. Again, it those Brazilians!

Having played Futsal in Auckland would be interested to know if its taken seriously at all anywhere in the country or is it merely just a "social / working leauge" set up. In Auckland its not taken seriously at all. Not that you can ever put 10 men on a court and not expect a little confrontation... :)

Futsal is starting to be taken seriously by NZ Football. About time after pressure from FIFA to develop futsal and beach soccer to every FIFA member.

Agree: at most centres futsal is seen as a social/working/keep fit league. Believe me if you are really serious about futsal, plans are in place to elevate the game. But like I have mentioned earlier "education is the key".

I certainly agree, having seen Australia play Brazil a few years back the skill and speed of the game is unbeliveable. We certainly havent taken to it like the Australians have, the best players here are mostly outdoor players and see it as very low key / social/ keep fit during the off season.

where can I get a copy of the Ginga dvd?

I got my copy in Borders. If they do not have one in stock I am sure they can order one for you. I guarantee you will not be disappointed. Only cost $24.99

sir les2007-08-22 16:21:51

I too got the ALPHA mag but it is a shorter sample version. The full length version is 80 minutes long with a few bonus features - excellent!

Sir Les: I laughed some much when I read your comment. Very funny - brilliant quote! I think that includes all the Central League too from what I saw this season! Only joking Central League players - there are some good quality footballers around. I will add that if they play futsal they shall improve their game considerably. It is never too late to learn and as a footballer you should always be looking at ways to improve your game - that goes for coaches too.

Futsal is alive and well here in ChCh with a competition running all year round for all ages, both social and serious. Schools are starting to get into it now as well and there is plenty of opportunity for younger players with trips to China, Brazil & Australia already taking place. it's a great game and my masters team have used it to keep fit over the summer, then kept going through the winter because we enjoyed it so much. Meant moving our regular training night during the season so we could keep training. Only thing that would improve it for us is when they start up an over 35's league. Recommend it to anyone, although it doesn't suit everybody because of the higher level of skill required to play it effectively which rules out a few that play indoor in a netted court.

Yeah - the only training should be at the pub

Get along to Civic Centre tomorrow (from 1230) for the Brazilian National Day celebrations. The weather will be fine, according to TV1, watch the City Council take on Capital City Futsal followed by Yellow Fever. The four Brazilians from the Phoenix will attend but definitely no game for those guys with the Newcastle Jets on Sunday. There should be plenty to see and hear - loud Brazilian rhythms!. Get along for a fun, exciting Friday lunch-time in the heart of the city. I saw the ads/promo stuff in the Dom Post and Capital Times and I am sure they will be there as well tomorrow. Hope to see you there as I will!

Great success all round for the Brazilian National day (Civic Sq) today. Congratulations to all the organisers for making it happen and to everybody who showed up. I hope they like what they saw - the futsal and the girls! Daniel, Felipe, George and Cleb signing autographs and spoke to the public plus got their photos with those other superstars on the day, Capital City Futsal! 3-0 winners over the City Council and 5-0 winners against Yellow Fever. There can always be a re-match next year but it was a day of winners for everybody none more so than futsal. Great event!

Yea I know. Fortunately we finished last this year lol.

And Futsal is on the agenda for the Masters games here in October.  Great fun. Get a team together and come on down. Over 30 and Over 40 grades. And we have made the final of the A grade Wednesday night comp here this season as well.

I love my futsal - it is a far better game than outdoor in my opinion. I play in Auckland at ASB stadium where they play the proper futsal rules ( and i would know, i referee it too). The skill and speed is greater than the outdoor game.

Having played of and on over several years i love  Futsal in Wellington but there are a lot of inconsistencies in the way its run down here ,the courts up in Newtown are ok but the reffing standards vary greatly from  the overly pedantic to the almost asleep and dont really care type ref,this can be very irritating given the the price of hiring the court for a game.I have heard that Wellington indoor sports centre has the monopoly on Futsal here and that no one else is licensed  to sell it maybe with some other operators things would tighten up a bit with higher standards from the organisers?I'm hoping that when the council finally gets round to building the new all purpose netball,basketball,futsal courts either in Kilbirnie or somewhere else ,( believe the waterfront is no longer an option)that the the code will really get organized with proper  leagues and uniformity in rules, pitch sizes,reffing etc
 I like playing at the Indian center in Kilbirnie with its astro turf surface,its more suited to my silky flowing  one touch skills (yeah right)  though i suspect its far to big a pitch for the official game (could be wrong though?)
One thing for sure futsals far  better than the five aside game of  battering an over sized and far to light tennis ball about.

Hey Kiwi Jambo if you wish to play "the true futsal" register yourself or get a team together at www.futsal.net.nz  I understand your frustration and WIS no longer has the monopoly on futsal in Wgtn. If you are passionate about futsal, want to play to the FIFA rules and possibly enter the trials to select the NZ squad to compete in the OFC championships go to the website. I think you will be suprised! As far as the new indoor venue is concerned, Capital City Futsal is already a partner (shareholder) with the City Council.

Anyone going to auckland for the national tournament? who funds the expenses?

To compete in the national tournament the first prerequisite is that you have to play in a regional league recognised by NZ Football and Capital Football and here in Wgtn that is Capital City Futsal. Go to www.futsal.net.nz for more info on this then you need to be a over 18 and have a NZ passport to be selected for the NZ squad but you can still play in the tournament if you are not a Kiwi.

The www.futsal.net.nz site does not appear to state where they play. What's the venue?

The venue is the Kilbirnie Rec Centre. There is more info under the topic, "New Futsal Competition" which has had 123 hits.

Would it be fair to say then that whoever wins the comp that they will just send that side as the NZ representitive otherwise id have thought it would be a right task to get 10 or 12 players from all over the country at their own expense to train etc.

Agree 200%. I proposed to NZ Football that very idea back in July last year but with a few modifications. They will have the final say but if it can work for other minority sports then why not futsal. The "Big Boys" will just have to fund it!

I love playing futsal or even indoor. A few mates and I are starting up a new team with kits and sponsers(fake) and all that sorta stuff. Cant wait till the season starts.

CCFWGTN - You should have a chat with 12345. He should definitely know a bit about the rules of Futsal and is based in Wellington. He may be able to help you a bit
DrQuack322007-10-02 15:37:50