Futsal is the only FIFA and NZ Football approved version of five-aside football and the world’s fastest growing indoor sport. The name Futsal is derived from the Portuguese words futebol (football) and sala (hall).

Futsal is a small-sided game played with a smaller (size 3 or 4) low bounce ball, on a basketball sized court without rebound walls or nets. It is a game which combines fun, creativity, speed, technique, teamwork and quick thinking.

With millions of players worldwide, Futsal is a fantastic game in its own right, with professional leagues throughout Europe, South America and Asia and a FIFA Futsal World Cup every four years.

Futsal also produces technically excellent players and as such is an invaluable tool for football development.

Futsal actively promotes:

·         individual ball skills, close control and dribbling

·         creativity and improvisation

·         maintenance of ball possession

·         one-touch passing (along the ground)

·         accurate shooting and

·         teamwork and off the ball movement

World superstars such as Pele, Zico, Ronaldinho, Cristiano Ronaldo, Cesc Fabregas and Lionel Messi have all acknowledged the role Futsal has played in their football development.

Futsal also has superstars of its own, with players such as Falcao and Schumacher (Brazil), Javier Rodriguez (Spain) and Elliot Ragomo (Solomon Islands) fast becoming household names in their own countries.

Northern Football Federation is pleased to announce the introduction of Futsal to the region, with the recent appointment of a Futsal Development Manager, Sarah Payne, who comes with significant experience in establishing and managing Futsal in NZ. 

Northern Football Futsal will introduce Futsal leagues and programmes throughout the region over the coming months with the introduction of:

·         a Pilot Futsal Programme, Hibiscus Coast

·         a youth / senior Futsal league, Massey University Recreation Centre

·         a business house lunchtime Futsal league, Massey University Recreation Centre

NFF Futsal will complement New Zealand Football’s existing programmes to promote and improve participation in football in New Zealand and provide pathways recognised by New Zealand Football for players, coaches and administrators at both local and international level.  Bringing Futsal into NFF’s Football structure will also complement NZ Football’s Whole of Football Development Plan. 

For further information please contact Sarah – email - sarah.payne@nff.org.nz or mobile 021 795 045