The FA Futsal Youth Festival
3rd-4th July 2010
The English Institute Of Sport, Sheffield

This weekend saw over 60 young Futsal teams arrive in Sheffield for this year's FA National Youth Futsal Festival and what proved to be an exciting couple of days for all concerned.

Taking place at the impressive English Institute Of Sport, the event had two days of Futsal action featuring teams from across the country who had qualified through their own Regional Festivals, with professional club Academies also sending teams to feature in the U10 boys' competition.

With both boys' and girls' teams taking part in the Festival, Saturday saw the U10 and U12 teams contesting, whilst Sunday was the turn of U14s and U16s. With matches taking place throughout both days, each section of the competition saw the eight teams separated into two groups of four in each age group, with a round-robin system used to decide which four teams would progress to the Semi-Final, and then the Final.

A team from the Sheffield United Academy won the U10 Boys competition beating Wycombe Wanderers in the final. In the Girls U14s competition Barnsley Academy were beaten in the final by The Denes High School. Sheffield United Centre of Excellence also competed during the weekend in the U10 Girls competition.

Speaking about the Festival, The FA's Small-Sided Manager Simon Walker said: "Each year The FA National Youth Futsal Festival gets better, and this year's event was exceptional.

"The quality of the Futsal being played in all age-groups was outstanding and helps to demonstrate the rapid growth of Futsal in schools and youth clubs. The future success and development of Futsal in this country is very much dependant on young people continuing to gain opportunities to play the game, and the National Festival can help to encourage schools and other agencies to provide more localised Futsal competitions for children.

"The atmosphere at this year's event was electric and it was great to see the enjoyment of the young players at playing Futsal and attending an FA national event."

James Hope-Gill, Chief Executive for Sheffield & Hallamshire FA said "I would like to congratulate the young Sheffield Academy Futsal players and coaching staff on this fantastic achievement. Competition at these national events is high, and to go on to win at this level is a fantastic achievement. Sheffield & Hallamshire FA are fully committed to the development of Futsal in this region and giving as many people the opportunity to play the game."

Click here for further information about Futsal in the Sheffield & Hallamshire FA region.

Alternatively contact the Football Development team by telephone 0114 241 4992 or by email development@sheffieldfa.com