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St Josephs press release

The Crystal Palace FC Foundation FC has teamed up with St Joseph's College in Norwood, to offer 20 young people aged 16 to 19 the opportunity participate in an education and Futsal programme.

Players will learn and train at St Joseph's College in Norwood under the educational expertise of tutors from the college using a pioneering on-line learning platform. Coaches from the Crystal Palace FC Foundation will be resident at the college and will be responsible for delivering the football and Futsal coaching syllabus, which will lead the young people to gain Futsal experience and also coaching qualifications.

The scholars will represent the Crystal Palace FC in the Football League Trust National League competing against other community programmes including Chelsea, Manchester City, Cardiff City FC and Brighton Hove Albion.

The education programme will enable the young people to earn a BTEC national diploma in sport, which provides a pathway to further university education or a career in the coaching, sports or leisure industry.

Donald Forde, Head of Foundation at Crystal Palace FC, says: 'We are delighted to be involved with our neighbours at St Joseph’s College, we have a number of ex-pupils from St Joseph’s that are based here at the Club including Co-Chairman, Martin Long, and Trevor Meader. We already have a successful futsal programme based at our Study Support Centre, and now to have the second squad based at St Joseph’s school proves we went to be at the heart of the community. This will give young people the unique opportunity to develop their football, educational and social skills in a sporting environment, while gaining a national BTEC qualification.

Kevin Dwyer, vice-principal at St Joseph's College, adds: 'Sport is a very important feature of St Joseph's College and we are delighted to be linking up with our partners to develop this exciting new programme for 16 to 19 year olds. I believe this partnership will offer a high quality educational and sporting experience enabling the scholars to progress to university degrees or employment. Sport has a vital role in inspiring students to "be their best". Futsal will be an exciting and growing element of our sports offer.'

Frank Rodriguez, managing director @Futsal Group, says: 'We are delighted to be collaborating with all of our partners on a programme that will enable such positive and far-reaching outcomes for young people aspiring to careers or further education in football, sports or leisure.'

Any young people that would like to register for the programme are aged 16 to 18 and have or are forecast to have four GCSEs or equivalent at grade C or above can apply now.

Trials and interviews will be taking place at St Joseph's College Norwood in London on Saturday ? June 2013 and Friday ?June 2013 respectively.

To register contact: Kevin Coles. Txt/call on 07789 202402 or email [email protected]. You can also register on line through the @Futsal web site on www.futsaluk.net

Gareth Southgate in Birmingham . . .

Full report: Gareth Southgate in Birmingham as charity ambassador - Click Here!

St Joseph College Futsal Graffiti Art Work

Recently one of our Education Partners SJC had some of their students working on a graffiti art project for the wall of their sports hall where we have provided a Futsal pitch. CLICK HERE to view the Designs & watch the VIDEO HERE

Credits to the following for a great contribution:

Year 9: Aumi Akanuma, Tyreke Harris, Elvin Alegre & Mohit Jain

Year 10: Ronaldo Vieira & Felix Wilson

Year 12: Leonard Amoako & Bernard Duntoye

Year 13: Anna Kaminska

Staff: Sarah Harms & Chi Mbewe

Secondary Schools Futsal League

Secondary Schools Futsal League

The new Schools Futsal League got off to a flying start on Thursday 14th November at the Leeds International @Futsal Arena.

23 school teams competed in the league from Bradford, Leeds, Calderdale and Kirklees, playing round robin fixtures at each of the age groups. The league fixtures will take place once a month (running through to May 2013) and will give the schools the opportunity to play against schools normally out of their district area. This is the first ever schools Futsal league to be run in the UK, and winners at each of the age groups will then be invited to take part in the WRCFA Youth Futsal Festival that will be taking place in May 2013 at the @Futsal Centre, Leeds

The U12 Boys league was dominated by Holmfirth High School, winning all 4 of their games and coming out with maximum points. The U14 Boys league was a more closely contested competition, with only 2 points separating the top 3. Woodkirk High School won the battle this month though, coming out on top. Tong High School were victors of the U16 Boys league on goal difference, with 3 teams coming out equal on points. Belle Vue Girls School were the winners in the U12 Girls league and Tong High School dominated the U14/U16 age group winning all 3 of their games.

@Futsal and the WRCFA would like to congratulate all the teams that took part and good luck for the next round which will be played on Thursday 13th December. A separate league is starting on the for primary school teams with a festival event on the 14^th December, already with 10 teams signed up. If you would like to enter a team for either of these leagues please contact Jo De Tute on 0113 282 122 or [email protected].

What is Futsal

Futsal is the only officially recognised form of indoor football accepted by FIFA, the world governing body for football. It is reported to be the world’s fastest growing indoor sport with over 30 million players worldwide. Players such as Messi, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and many others have developed their abilities playing Futsal from a young age. The Football Association have recently adopted Futsal and it is now seen as a cornerstone of The FA’s strategic development plans.

Futsal is an indoor version of association football (soccer). The name “Futsal” simply combines the Spanish words for “hall” – Sala and “football” – Futbol into Futsal. It is the format of small sided football that is recognised and supported by FIFA, UEFA and recently the FA, with world and European championships taking place for club and national teams.

Futsal is played between two teams of five players, one of who is a goalkeeper. In addition each team may have up to 7 substitutes, which means each team can comprise a maximum of 12 players. Unlike some other forms of indoor football, the playing arena boundaries are marked with lines, and not walls or boards that players can use to rebound the ball. Futsal is played with a smaller regulation ball with 30% less bounce than normal. The ball can also be kicked above head height, so goals are similar in size to hockey goals. Corners can be taken and throw-ins are replaced by kick-ins from touch lines, both of which must be taken within 4 seconds. This makes the game very fast, dynamic and exciting. As a small-sided game, players are constantly placed in situations where they must receive or play whilst under pressure or in confined spaces and it places considerable demand on technique, movement, tactical awareness and fitness. It is also very exciting and a huge amount of fun!

@ Futsal Limited are in the process of rolling-out a number of arenas across the UK that will enable people to play Futsal in a modern environment that will provide an innovative lifestyle and playing experience. The arenas will incorporate a number of modern and high-tech features to enable a unique experience. Working closely with the national Football Association and regional Football Associations, the arenas will provide local and national leagues for adult and junior players, both male and female.

Exeter College & @Futsal Group . . .

Exeter College and @Futsal Group sign collaboration agreement to work together on the development of pioneering education and Futsal programmes. Principle Richard Atkins and @Futsal Group Managing Director Frank Rodriguez are pictured exchanging the agreement recently. This collaboration will see the organisations working together on the Futsal Scholarship programme with the Football League Trust and the development of other innovative programmes such as a Futsal foundation degree. For more information contact us

Exceter image

The Leeds Utd Foundation & @Futsal Group Sign Collaboration Agreement

The Leeds United Foundation & @Futsal Group Sign Collaboration Agreement

Both organisations will be working together to launch a number of community based Futsal programmes including education schemes, leagues and other activities.

The Leeds United Foundation and @Futsal group have signed a collaboration agreement that will see both organisations working together on a wide range of community based programmes. The organisations are already working together on the Football League Trust’s national Futsal scholarship, which provides 16–18 years olds a unique opportunity to gain a BTEC National Diploma in Sport, plus participate in a national league competing against other clubs from the Football League.

This collaboration will extend into other education programmes such as @Futsal Group’s F1, F3 programme, which is aimed at 16 – 18 years olds not in education or employment. This programme is scheduled to start in November of this year and the partnership is looking for 25 young people that would like to join this fully funded programme.

Les Baker, Operations Director for @Futsal Group comments, “We are really excited with this collaboration and are already putting together a very innovative joint apprenticeship programme as a pilot scheme. We will be working together to launch joint youth leagues, veterans’ leagues and a number of other community focused activities, so watch this space”.

Mick Ferguson, Director of The Leeds United Foundation adds, “Working together with the only small sided game approved by FIFA is an exciting opportunity for us to bring the sport to a wider audience. Part of our key principles involve making sure everyone has the chance to participate and benefit from sport, so we are looking forward to engaging people of all ages in Futsal and developing access, particularly for young people, into employment in sport and leisure.”

About @ Futsal Group

@Futsal Group is now considered the UK market leader in Futsal operations, pioneering the development of the game both nationally and increasingly on an international basis through the roll-out of state-of-the-art Futsal arenas and a network of licensed operators or franchises.

@Futsal Group currently operates a national spine of arenas including; a southern hub arena in Swindon, a central hub arena in Birmingham (currently the largest Futsal facility in Europe and considered a centre of excellence) and a northern hub arena in Leeds. The @Futsal arenas have hosted flagship events, including The FA Cup Futsal, Premier League Academy Programme and The FA National Youth Festival. In addition the business is the official Futsal partner for British Colleges Sports and The British Blind Sports Society, underpinning its ability to deliver football for all including disability and multi-cultural events. The Futsal Education Academy has been involved in delivering Futsal led sports and education programmes for young people since its launch in 2009 and is now involved in the delivery of the largest education and Futsal programme in the UK with The Football League Trust.

What is Futsal

Futsal is the international game which saw stars such as Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar and Fabregas developing the skills that have shot them to worldwide fame. Futsal is the only officially recognised form of indoor football endorsed by FIFA the worldwide football governing body. The game is played between two teams of five players and is similar to playing 11a-side football, but with a number of modified rules to suit the indoor football format. The game is fast paced, and each team can have up to 12 players in its squad. Rolling substitutes are used to suit the energetic nature of the game. The playing area boundaries are marked with touchlines and goal lines, not walls or boards like conventional 5aside football. The ball can also be kicked above head height, with goals being similar in size to hockey goals. Corners can be taken and throw-ins are replaced by kick-ins from the touch lines, both of which must be taken within four seconds. It is a professional form of football in many European, Asian and South American countries. It is also fully supported by UEFA and The FA, who have integrated Futsal into their development plans for the future. The game boasts flagship international tournaments such as the FIFA Futsal World Cup, The UEFA Futsal Champions league and The FA Cup Futsal. The game is reported to be the world’s fastest growing indoor sport, with c.30million players across the globe playing the game.

Further Information

For further information regarding this press release please contact:

Public Relations on email: [email protected]

Web: www.futsaluk.net

The Leeds United Foundation, Alan Scorfield, Education Project Manager – email: [email protected] or telephone: 0113 367 6015

Web: www.leedsunitedfoundation.com