{"id":72809,"date":"2023-01-31T17:35:53","date_gmt":"2023-01-31T17:35:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=72809"},"modified":"2023-01-31T17:35:55","modified_gmt":"2023-01-31T17:35:55","slug":"a-dying-state-whats-wrong-with-futsal-in-wales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2023\/01\/31\/a-dying-state-whats-wrong-with-futsal-in-wales\/","title":{"rendered":"A dying state: What\u2019s wrong with futsal in Wales?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Lack of communication and organisation from the FAW has led to clubs taking matters into their own hands<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

THE current state of futsal in Wales has prompted concern from those involved in the sport that the game is being left to rot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The FAW has received backlash over its handling of the sport and has been criticised for allegedly showing a lack of interest. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a national league beset by organisational issues and a national team that hasn\u2019t played a competitive game since 2021, many clubs have voiced their disapproval at how the game is being run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey need to start listening to us,\u201d said Andrew Ruscoe who helps coach FC United of Wrexham.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI want to say we believe in the FAW, but they are too disengaged with what’s going on at the grassroots and amateur level of the game.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is futsal?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The sport was invented in 1933 by Juan Carlos Ceriani, a schoolteacher from Montevideo, Uruguay, who wanted to create an indoor version of football for youth clubs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Played between two teams of five players on an indoor court, the game demands a heavy emphasis on ball control, creativity and technique because of the smaller pitch length.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rules are almost identical to football, except for the inclusion of roll-on roll-off substitutes and the absence of an offside rule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Popular in many South American countries such as Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay, the sport has been credited with helping the likes of Lionel Messi, Pele, and Ronaldinho develop their abilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFrom a player development point of view, futsal teaches you to think quickly on the pitch and react quickly,\u201d said Ralph Carter who coaches Newport United.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYounger children should start their adventure with football by playing with the ball on the grass and on the court at the same time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A non-existent national league<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

There is already a national futsal league in Wales called the FAW Elite Futsal League, which is split into a North and South divisions. The winners of both divisions play each other in a final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Created in 2010, the league was contested held every year until the 2019\/20 season, which was curtailed due to lockdown. The winner was eventually decided on a points-per game basis with Swansea University being crowned champions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following season was compressed into a three-day period in June 2021 and involved only four teams each from the North and South Divisions after a host of teams pulled out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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