23 new Futsal teams participated with the U8's, U10's and U12's played on the Monday whilst the U14's and U16's played on the Thursday with the winners of each age group progressing through to the FA Regional and FA National finals respectively.
* U8's friendlies only.
"A big thank you should go to the Berks/Bucks FA for organising the event. It went like clockwork."
Jamie Fahey, Whiteknights Toffess FC
Because Futsal is very much within its infancy here in the UK, one key aspect prior to our event taking place was to have qualified FA Futsal referees in place and of which we ran a referees Futsal conversion course at Reading FC. Having gained 11 newly qualified Futsal referees 6 were chosen to cover our youth Futsal festival for the following week.
"Well done Simon and the team. Great event, the Finch boys loved it." Bayley Tustin, Finchampstead FC
To add to the excitement that makes Futsal we also had the help and support of Reading University students as timekeepers (having access to the large electronic scoreboards) in addition the students were also updating the results live online via FA Full-Time.
The majority of the new Futsal teams were created within existing youth clubs whilst we also engaged schools from as far as field as Milton Keynes, Maidenhead & Windsor, schools were able to participate if affiliated to the ESFA.
"Many thanks Simon for organising today's tournament. It was very well run and all of my players thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We would welcome being part of any future futsal events." Paul Blackwell, Hurst (Hurricanes) F.C.
The experience and format was relatively new to all but it didn't take long for the 11min matches to fly by. Results came in thick and fast and before we knew it we had our first County Futsal winners on Day 1 with and Whiteknights FC 'Toffees' U10's Hurst FC Blues U12's progressing through to the FA Regional finals, we were also privileged to have Steve Sharman (FA Regional Development Manger) to present all players with their medals.
Thursday saw the same format being taken up and again the day progressed without any issues and results came in one by one and again all of a competitive manner.
"Want to say a big thank you to Simon, Paul the refs and helpers today for a very successful Futsal festival." John Withers, Falkland Futsal FC
Windsor Boys U14's and Falklands U16's both respectively progressed through to the FA Regional finals. The feedback that we had 'post' our event was all of a very positive nature. Futsal is very much a provision that as a County FA we will be very much supporting within the future. A very big thank you must go to all those involved, especially to all the teams, players, coaches, managers, parents, referees and the students of Reading University... without you none of the above could have taken place and we look forward to seeing and working with you again within the near future.
"An excellent tournament, thank you." Alex Ravetta, Desborough School.
"A big thank you from all at Prospect Pumas F.C. for the great Futsal Festivals at Reading University last week." Pieter Hine, Prospect Pumas FC.
Venue: Reading University
Marketing Tools: County FA website, eCircle, Facebook and Twitter.
+ 11 qualified FA Futsal referees created
+ 23 new Futsal teams created
+ FA Full time used for live updates
+ X5 volunteers from Reading University
For further details on Futsal please contact;
Simon.Wears@Berks-BucksFA.com or Tel: 07766 774471