Irish Futsal Plan

Contents Introduction A message from the UEFA President Foreword by John Delaney FAI CEO A message from the Technical Director

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Section 1: Executive Summary

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1.1 Grassroots Futsal − Children 1.2 Grassroots Futsal − Adults 1.3 Education 1.4 High Level Competition − National League and International Internat ional Teams 1.5 Marketing and Management Management

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Section 2: Background Information

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2.1 A brief history of Futsal 2.2 Context 2.3 Lifestyles / Demographic change – A Market for small sided football in Ireland 2.4 Equipment Equipment and Facilities 2.5 Benefits of Futsal to participation and player development development 2.6 Development Development of the Plan

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Section 3: Mission and Aims

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3.1 Mission Statement 3.2 Key Aims

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Section 4: Key Programme Areas The Development Framework

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4.1 Grassroots – children 4.2 Grassroots – adults 4.3 Education 4.4 High level competition competiti on 4.5 Marketing and Management Management of the Futsal programme

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Section 5: Management, Structure and Finance

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5.1 Finance 5.2 Resources 5.3 Measurement Measurement and review

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Section 6: Appendices Appendix 1 – Rules at a glance Appendix 2 – SWOT Analysis Appendix 3 – Links with other FAI Programmes Appendix 4 – Consultation workshops feedback Appendix 5 – Consultation workshop participants Structur e Appendix 6 – Technical Department Structure Appendix 7 – Futsal – a comparative study

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Strategic Plan for the Development of Futsal in Ireland 2008 - 2011

C O N T E N T S

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A message from the UEFA President It gives me great pleasure to launch this Futsal Strategic Plan document on behalf of the Football Association of Ireland. I would like to convey my congratulations for establishing this plan to develop and promote Futsal in Ireland. Ir eland. UEFA UEFA fully supports this initiative and our Futsal Department is at your disposal for any queries you may have.

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F O R E W O R D

Finally, Finally, I would like to welcome the Football Association of Ireland into the UEFA UEFA Futsal family and wish you many years of success in the future. With kind regards UEFA

Michel Platini President

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Foreword by John Delaney, FAI CEO The popularity of football worldwide worldwide is due to the fact that it can be played anywhere at any time in various different forms. Through the years, many varieties of football have developed around the world often out of local traditions or influenced influenced by factors such as the weather or availability of suitable facilities. A great example of this is Futsal – the official UEFA and FIFA version of five-a-side football. Futsal is a format of five-a-side football which is played extensively throughout the world and as such is fully supported by FIFA and UEFA. UEFA. In fact, in a highly significant and positive move, UEFA UEFA recently integrated Futsal into the UEFA Professional Football Division with the aim of strengthening strengthening its image and making the most of the game’s marketability. Futsal is football in its purest form. It is an essential precursor to what Pelé referred to as “the beautiful game”. Pace, skill, teamwork and high drama characterise this popular indoor game.

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M E S S A G E

Embracing Futsal presents the FAI with an unprecedented opportunity to lead the development development of a spectacular sport from a blank canvas. However, the game of Futsal is being promoted by the FAI primarily as a complementary complementary player development development initiative. It is designed to enhance, enrich and complement complement the 11-a-side game and it is not designed to compete with football. Futsal is widely recognised as the ideal skill building arena for the 11-a-side game. Many world famous footballers began as Futsal players from the time of the legendary Pelé to today’s current stars such as Deco, Ronaldinho, Robinho, Messi and Kaká. 3

For those who excel within the game, Futsal can also provide an additional pathway to progress for players, coaches, referees and administrators. The function of the FAI in this regard is to promote Futsal as the official indoor game of UEFA and FIFA and to support and help any interested parties wishing to engage in Futsal activity in any appropriate way it can. The FAI has recognised that the introduction of a Futsal programme can impact positively on the key areas of participation and player development. Indeed, Futsal can also make a solid contribution to the Football Association of Ireland’s wider football and social development objectives. The FAI is confident that with the support of all its affiliates and the ongoing support of UEFA and FIFA, that Futsal will continue to grow in popularity in Ireland.


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A Message from the Technical Director The FAI Technical Development Plan 2004-2008 was produced following an extensive period of research and consultation with key stakeholders. Feedback from the wider football family identified the growing recognition that new programmes were needed to maintain and increase participation in football. Indeed, it also highlighted the desire to employ new methods to develop more technically better players.

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M E S S A G E

Consequently, the FAI identified the potential for the game of Futsal to help service these needs. As well as impacting positively on the development of technical skills, playing Futsal requires quick thinking and rapid decision making. Futsal can also accelerate the acquisition of positional sense and facilitate the development of overall football “intelligence”. In light of the potential for Futsal to positively influence important technical and mental playing capacities, the FAI Futsal programme was created. The FAI appointed a national Futsal coordinator, Derek O’Neill to immediately set about the task of preparing this four year plan. Specific Futsal consultation workshops, workshops, conducted as part of the development of this plan, highlighted highlighted key areas and methods for establishing Futsal as part of the fabric of Irish football (Appendix 3). Futsal is a game which can facilitate greater participation and player development development and, as such, should be afforded the best possible opportunity to develop and flourish throughout Ireland. Consultation with stakeholders countrywide and with officials from UEFA and FIFA as well as key Futsal officials in other National Associations suggested that a dual bottom up / top down approach to developing a Futsal strategic plan would constitute best practice. The development development of higher level Futsal structures will become a primary reference to expose the game to players, coaches, fans, media and sponsors.

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The early initiation of high level Futsal competition and a FAI international development squad (commencing with an U21 team) is considered crucial in this approach as it will serve the following critical purposes: • • • • •

To motivat motivatee players to play Futsal. To entice current five-a-side players and organisat organisations. ions. To generate profile for the sport in Ireland. To expose the sport to Media and Sponsors. To provide credibility to the development of Futsal.

While such high level activity will act as the flagship for the programme, it is essential that quality grassroots initiatives are developed in order to create the bedrock for the future of Futsal in Ireland. The staff of the Football Association of Ireland is fully supportive of the Futsal programme and believes that embracing the concept of Futsal will be a sound investment in the future development of young players in Ireland. Strategic Plan for the Development of Futsal in Ireland 2008 - 2011

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Executive Summary Futsal consultation workshops conducted conducted with stakeholders as part of the development of this plan highlighted the following key areas and methods for establishing Futsal in Ireland.

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E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Grassroots Futsal – Children Children Grassroots Futsal – Adults Adults Education High Level Competition Marketing and Management

The Futsal Plan identifies the mission and strategic goals necessary for promoting and developing the game in Ireland.

Mission Statement

“To establish Futsal Futs al as the preferred pre ferred version of five-a-side football in Ireland and to increase and sustain participation at all age and ability levels by promoting and developing the game as a complementary format of football within the football family”

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Executive Summary 1.1: Grassroots Futsal – Children

With football being the most common sport played in primary and secondary schools, implementing implementing quality Futsal programmes in schools will play an integral role in developing a “culture” of Futsal in Ireland going forward. The largest impact area in establishing Futsal will be with the clubs and leagues of the Schoolboys Football Association of Ireland. As such, leagues will be encouraged to develop Futsal activity across all age groups with particular emphasis on the important developmental windows associated with the 7 to 10 years old age groups. Further areas of Futsal development development will focus on the National Community Games and the expansion of the FAI Inner City Futsal programme in an effort to broaden awareness of the game in local communities.

1.2: Grassroots Futsal - Adults

There is an ideal opportunity to develop Futsal in third level educational institutions throughout Ireland where their superb sports facilities could easily accommodate the playing of Futsal.

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The establishment of Futsal within the junior football leagues will provide their existing members with an option for more playing opportunities opportunities but could also potentially increase their membership by attracting thousands of social five-a-side players playing in unofficial leagues all year round.

1.3: Education

An integral step in the development development of Futsal will be the proper education of players, coaches, referees and administrators in the rules and principles of the game. Specific workshops and courses will be designed to cater for all those interested in learning more about Futsal. As the development of the game progresses, the issues of tactical awareness and Futsal-specific technical skills will become important to players and coaches. It is envisaged that a Futsal Coach Education programme will be developed following course guidelines produced by UEFA.


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Executive Summary 1.4: High Level Competition – National League and International Teams

The formation of a National Futsal league is vitally important for providing opportunities for players, coaches, referees and administrators to progress to higher levels. It is also critical to the FAI’s FAI’s ambitions to participate in future international competition.

1.5: Marketing and Manageme Management nt


Marketing the game of Futsal is a very important aspect of the development development plan in order to create awareness of the game and to emphasise the benefits of playing the game. A strategic approach to sponsorship, marketing, implementation and reporting will ensure that Futsal becomes the national 5-a-side game in Ireland.

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Executive Summary Futsal Targets 2011


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Section 2: Background Information 2.1: A brief history of Futsal

The word “Futsal” comes from the Spanish name “futbol sala” which literally means “room football”. It originated in the inner cities of South America and was first played indoors at a YMCA in Montevideo, Uruguay around 1930. 1930. An Argentinian named Juan Carlos Ceriani invented the game to be able to practice soccer indoors as an antidote to rain drenched pitches. The game soon captured the imagination of the football playing public and was enthusiastically adopted across South America.

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A similar form of the game was developed in Sao Paulo, Paulo, Brazil known as “futebol de salao”. The first known leagues were formed there in 1952 and the first known international competition took place in 1965. Futsal is now an integral part of the football fabric of Brazil and many of its finest champion footballe footballers rs have attributed the development development of their football skills to playing a lot of Futsal as youngsters.

“I played Futsal for two or three years before I joined Santos… Futsal was important in helping to develop my ball control, quick thinking, passing… also for dribbling, balance, concentration… Futsal was very, very important, no doubt”. Pelé, World Champion footballer 1958, 1962 and 1970.

“Futsal is an extremely important way for kids to develop their skills and understanding of the game. My touch and my dribbling have come from playing Futsal.” Ronaldinho, FIFA World World Footballer of the year 2004, 2005.

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Section 2: Background Information Futsal participation has grown dramatically with the support of FIFA who established an official Futsal World Championship in the 1980’s. Since then, Futsal has gone from strength to strength with over 100 nations expected to participate in the qualifiers for the next FIFA World Futsal Championships to be held in Brazil 2008. UEFA has established a European Championship which takes place every two years and a club champions competition, the UEFA Futsal Cup and aspires to have all of its member associations participating in competition by 2011. In this regard, it has taken significant steps to increase the profile and marketability of Futsal and to strengthen the image of the game by moving the programme to their professional football division. Futsal is already firmly established as a popular sport among millions of participants and supporters worldwide. Many countries have developed full-time professional leagues and have recognized that Futsal is a highly marketable sport. Considerable television and sponsorship revenue is generated in countries with established leagues. Finally, Finally, with the massive support for the game worldwide rapidly increasing, it may not be too long before Futsal is established as an official Olympic sport.

2.2: Context

It is important to consider why the FAI is eager to embrace and develop a Futsal programme. Firstly, Futsal is the official FIFA and UEFA version of indoor soccer. It is considered to be the fastest growing indoor sport in the world and a UEFA UEFA objective is to enlist the participation of all member associations in their competitions by 2011.


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From a player development viewpoint, there are widely acknowledged benefits to playing Futsal, with particular emphasis on the technical skills of passing, dribbling and close ball control.


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Section 2: Background Information The benefits of developing a Futsal programme for the Football Association of Ireland are as follows: • Potential to increase increase grassroots participation. participation. • Accelerated development development of technical, motor and coordination skills among children. • Accelerated acquisition acquisition of positional sense, football “intelligence” “intelligence” and facilitates rapid decision making.


• An ideal skill building building environment for football. football. • More regular weather weather proof playing opportunities opportunities for children. • Increased playing opportunities opportunities for women women (currently there is a scarcity of competitive winter programmes). • Ability to influence player player retention at critical “drop out” age age (16-18) because Futsal can cater for flexible playing times (midweek evenings evenings or weekend weekends). s). • Potential to integrate thousands thousands of social players into the FAI FAI football “family” with the establishment of official Futsal leagues. • A vehicle to aid smoother smoother social integration of ethnic communities communities into Irish society – particularly those coming from countries with an established Futsal programme. • In economically / socially disadvantaged disadvantaged areas, Futsal can be the vehicle vehicle to promote football partnerships with local authorities. • New commercial opportunities opportunities for the FAI FAI and its affiliates.

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Section 2: Background Information The Futsal programme when further developed will offer a new additional pathway to young players, as those players perhaps not meeting the physical requirements to forge a career in professional football may possess the required technique technique and football intelligence to pursue a successful career in Futsal. As the Futsal programme will impact significantly on all strands of football it is essential that a coordinated approach to the development of the game is encouraged among all affiliates with the continued support of the FAI Development Officers. This document outlines a strategic approach and key objectives and actions which will contribute towards establishing Futsal as the official version of indoor football in Ireland.

2.3: Lifestyles/ Demographic change – A Market for small-sided football

As Ireland continues to become more industrialised, traditional areas once filled by football pitches are fast being replaced by housing schemes and commercial properties. Lifestyle changes have made for a more affluent society but increased workloads and salaries have placed an ever increasing demand on the spare time of everyone. Most particularly, adult footballers (men and women) in the 18 – 40 age groups are affected in this regard. Ever since the introduction of soccer to Ireland over a hundred years ago, the traditional playing time was centred on the weekend. weekend. However, However, this limited time frame no longer suits many of the Irish working population. population. Consequently, Consequently, in tandem with the long established junior and intermediate leagues around the country, country, there are ever growing numbers of non-official football leagues taking place throughout Ireland. There are also a number of well organised commercial organisations providing a structure in which thousands of social players can participate in unofficial non FAI affiliated activity and competitions. As a result, r esult, there are enormous amounts of people playing small-sided football, both indoors and on outdoor all weather facilities. These numbers are very difficult to quantify but represent a significant number of players in the 18 – 40 age brackets. A case study of two prominent commercial five-a-side parks in the Dublin area and one in the Kildare area established that there were in excess of 2,500 players playing each week in each one. These players are ar e mainly social players with no connection to any FAI affiliated leagues. Indeed, this scenario is mirrored to a certain extent in hundreds of small and large outdoor and indoor facilities presently used throughout Ireland.



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Section 2: Background Information There is also an ever growing base of indoor and small-sided players within schools and universities in Ireland. Indeed, a 2005 ESRI report showed that soccer was the most common participation sport in schools. The National Community Games also features an indoor soccer programme at Under 13 and Under 15 level for boys and girls with total participation figures reaching almost 6,000 in 2005. Interestingly, Interestingly, many of these competitions are played using different variations of five-a-side rules.


Therefore, this represents an opportunity for the FAI to establish Futsal as the official version of indoor or outdoor five-a-side football in Ireland and integrate thousands of social players into the FAI football family. It will allow the FAI to highlight a pathway of opportunity for players, coaches, referees and administrators who opt to become involved with this version of football.

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Section 2: Background Information 2.4: Equipment and Facilities required for Futsal

One of the great advantages of Futsal is that it can be played either indoors or outdoors in a relatively small area. This is one of the reasons that it is perfectly suited to facilities in inner city communities where green areas are at a premium. However, playing Futsal in an indoor facility would be the preferred option.


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There is a considerable stock of indoor facilities in Ireland mainly in secondary schools and third level institutions which are suitable for hosting Futsal. Indeed, any centre that can accommodate competitive competitive basketball would also suffice for Futsal. This means that there are large numbers of facilities owned by local authorities, Schools, Colleges, Universities and football clubs in which Futsal could be played if court playing time could be secured. At a National and International level, Futsal is normally played indoors on a wooden sprung floor on a considerably larger pitch. In Ireland there are only a handful of venues capable of hosting official international Futsal competition or accommodating Futsal specific pitches. However, in developing the game at grassroots level, Futsal could be played on any smooth playing surface, indoor or out. Almost all existing facilities designed to cater for domestic traditional small-sided football are designed to incorporate rebound walls, fences and rectangular goals. This design however tends to reflect custom and practice rather than any specific laws of the game or preference expressed by the playing public. Going forward, the FAI is now in a position to influence the design of future small-sided football facilities. The availability of Futsal Goal Posts also needs to be considered in the development development of the game. The availability of such posts is important in that they influence the way that the game is played i.e. shooting and goalkeeping. In developing the game, the purchase of Futsal goalposts will be supported by a FAI Futsal goalposts subsidy programme targeting clubs, leagues and other interested parties which meet specific criteria.


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Section 2: Background Information 2.5: Benefits of Futsal to participation and player development

From participation to personal development development to retention in the game, Futsal has the ability to impact positively on players, coaches, referees and administrators of all ages and gender. The FAI has recognised the potential of Futsal and the contribution it can make to the objectives of the Technical Development Plan. From a player participation viewpoint, the inclusive nature of Futsal means it is an ideal way to introduce children to soccer. For children, the primary issue in their enjoyment of football is participation and the nature of Futsal makes for an all-inclusive game. Participation is positively influenced due to two key elements of Futsal: (a) With just five players on the pitch at any one one time, it is easier to form teams to play; (b) The roll on-roll off substitution rule in Futsal means that with a match squad of ten players, a team can be constantly changing the players players on the pitch ensuring they all get roughly the same amount of playing time. This means that t hat no player feels left out, which will have a significant influence on drop out rates in football. (See appendix 1 for rules at a glance). From a coaches’ standpoint, skill development is uppermost in their work in introducing children to football and Futsal has an indisputable influence influence on promoting player development. There are no defined positions in Futsal and young players must learn to develop defending defending and attacking skills as well as developing positional sense in all areas of the pitch. The fast nature of the game requires rapid mental processing of decisions and as such, the benefits in developing mental dexterity on the pitch become apparent. “In Futsal, you practise solving movement in a small space and I brought this advantage to field football”. Robinho (Real Madrid)

Significantly, young players are not “pigeon holed” into positions because of their physical size or ability level. The fact that the game is non contact reduces the influence physical disadvantage has on children’s children’s participation in football. As children have vastly different growth rates, too often the taller children dominate underage football at the younger levels. Futsal can contribute to reducing this perceived physical disadvantage for smaller children. Strategic Plan for the Development of Futsal in Ireland 2008 - 2011


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Section 2: Background Information The small-sided game has long been recognised as the preferred way to start children on the football pathway with the introduction of seven-a-side football in relatively recent times having had a positive impact in underage soccer. soccer.


In Futsal, there are even less players on the pitch ensuring each individual player is likely to have more possession of the ball. Given the fact that the game is played in a reduced space, Futsal encourages young players to think and decide quicker, improve ball control and improvise in order to retain possession or create goal scoring opportunities. A technical study comparing futsal with 7-a-side football is shown in appendix 7. The other key aspect of Futsal is the ball. The Futsal ball is designed to have significantly reduced bounce which influences the game in two distinct ways: 1. The reduced bounce of the ball means it is easier to control allowing novice players to become more confident to take possession. 2. Kicking the ball long distances is not easy with Futsal balls, which means players must develop their short range passing skills, their movement and also improve dribbling skills. While Futsal has the potential to exert positive influences on the technical development development of future generations of Irish football players, as a sport in its own right, it can also create another new and exciting career pathway for all involved in the game. 2.6: Development of the Plan

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As part of the process of creating the FAI Technical Development Plan 2004 – 2008 a series of 14 consultation workshops took place with the purpose of gaining feedback from the wider football community as to how the game should be developed going forward.


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Section 2: Background Information A key message from the Irish football family indicated a desire and need for fresh new initiatives aimed at increasing participation and aiding the technical development of our young players. Indeed, the promotion and development of the concept of Futsal was actively encouraged. Further research was carried out by the FAI Technical Department with views and advice being sought from counterparts in the wider International Futsal family f amily regarding the evolution of their Futsal programmes. From this research, a SWOT analysis was produced (see appendix 2) In February and March 2007, National Futsal Consultation workshops workshops were held in Limerick and Dublin which also provided valuable feedback from stakeholders as to how the FAI should proceed in developing a strategically planned Futsal programme (see consultation workshops workshops feedback – Appendix Appendix 4 and list of participants – Appendix 5) The FAI Technical Department wishes to acknowledge the views, support and valuable advice from the following organizations, groups and key personnel. personnel. • FAI Technical Department staff staff.. • Key stakeholders stakeholder s particip participating ating in the Technical Development Plan 2004-2008 consultation workshops who provided valuable feedback. f eedback. • Key stakeholders stakeholders in the National National Futsal Consultation Workshop Workshopss 2007. 2007. • Key FAI Committees. • National Community Games Executive Committee. • SFAI and FAIS. • All FAI staff who provided input. With valuable contributions and advice from: • • • • • •

Mr. Jaime Yarza Yarza ( FIFA Futsal Development Manager). Mr. Laurent Morel (UEFA Futsal Competition Manager). Mr. Petr Fousek (Former Chairman UEFA Futsal Committee). Mr. Javier Lozano (World (World Champion coach of Spain and FIFA instruc instructor). tor). Mr. Dermot Collins (FA (England) National Manager, Manager, Small sided football) football).. Mr. Victor Beceiro (Former FIFA Futsal Manager and UEFA Futsal Experts panel member). • Mr Mr.. Joao Rocha (Portugal), (Portugal), Futsal Futsal Development Development Consultant.



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Section 3: Mission and Aims 3.1: Key Aims

03 S E C T I O N 3 : M I S S I O N A N D A I M S

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• To increase awareness of Futsal by promoting the game and creating quality resources to introduce the game countrywide. • To introduce Futsal at all levels levels of the game from children children to adults adults through the implementation of quality grassroots Futsal programmes. • To ensure the necessary equipment needed to play Futsal is easily available. • To increase knowledge of Futsal among the wider football family through the creation of education programmes for players, coaches, referees and administrators. • To establis establishh leagues and competiti competitions ons at local, regional and national level at a series of key age groups. • To develop players, both male and female, capable of competing internationally internationall y in UEFA and FIFA Championships at various age levels. • To develop an administ administrative rative structure capable of implementing and servicin servicingg the above objectives.

3.2: Mission Statement Mission Statement

“To establish Futsal Fut sal as the preferred version of five-a-side football in Ireland and to increase and sustain participation at all age and ability levels by promoting and developing the game as a complementary format of football within the football family”


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Section 4: Key Programme Areas THE DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK

The five key areas of the Plan are as follows: • • • • •

Grassroots Futsal - Children. Grassroots Futsal - Adults. Education. High level competition. Marketing and Managemen Management. t.

During the lifetime of the Futsal Plan and beyond, the game will impact on a number of other FAI National programmes and key areas. The game will impact on major areas such as the FAI Technical Department, FAI Eircom League of Ireland, Domestic and International Departments. The Commercial and Marketing Departments Departments will have an active role to play in exploring the new revenue streams that the development of a Futsal product will provide.

04 S E C T I O N 4 : K E Y P R O G R A M M E A R E A S

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04 S E C T I O N 4 : K E Y P R O G R A M M E A R E A S

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Section 4: Key Programme Areas The key areas that the Futsal Plan will concentrate on are as follows: 4.1: Grassroots Futsal - Children

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Goal: To provide opportunities for children to play Futsal

In order to sustain and maintain the long term ambitions for Futsal in Ireland, the initiation and development of quality grassroots programmes is of paramount importance. At present there are very few sustained Futsal leagues in Ireland at any level. It is essential that this situation is addressed as a priority in order to provide playing and competitive opportunities for those who take an interest in Futsal. Implementing quality Futsal programmes programmes within schools, will play an integral role in developing a “culture” of Futsal in Ireland going forward. A 2005 ESRI survey on Children’s Participation in Sport in both Primary and Secondary schools showed that football was the most common sport within schools with 72% of children participating at primary level and 74% participating at secondary level. The largest impact area in establishing Futsal will be with the Clubs and Leagues of the Schoolboys Football Association of Ireland. As such, leagues will be encouraged to develop Futsal activity across all age groups with particular emphasis on the developmental 7 - 10 years age groups. Introducing Futsal to organisations such as the National Community Games will play a key part in reaching every corner of Ireland with the Futsal message. The expansion of the FAI Inner City Futsal programme aimed at areas of social and economic disadvantage will continue in the coming years. This programme will also be set up in other major cities and urban centres throughout Ireland mirroring the successful project established in Dublin in recent years.


S E C T I O N 4 : K E Y P R O G R A M M E A R E A S

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Irish Futsal Plan

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