Last week saw the West Midlands Regional Finals of the FA School Futsal Cup and the FA Youth Futsal Cup take place - both of which were held at the PlayFootball Arena in Birmingham.

Representing Staffordshire after progressing through as winners from the School Games Finals at Fenton Manor in January were Erasmus Darwin Academy Girls U15s. They took on White Cross, Brookdale and Wooton Park from neighbouring counties and had mixed fortunes across the afternoon.

The girls had a great afternoon of futsal and really enjoyed the challenges that the other schools provided throughout the competition. They’re looking forward to future futsal events.

Meanwhile, at the weekend Staffordshire were represented by two clubs in the FA Youth Futsal Cup.

Walsall Wood Saints Boys U10s and Heath Hayes FC Boys U12s (pictured) both play the majority of their futsal in the south of the county at Oak Park Leisure Centre. Although neither progressed through to the finals at St. George’s Park, they were an asset to their club and our county on and off the pitch throughout the day.

Riley from Heath Hayes FC said: “I went to watch the England v Poland futsal game at St. George's Park - it was really good and at the end I got a signed England shirt!

“My coaches then decided to start a futsal team, they thought it would help with our ball control and make us sharper with the ball. Futsal is so fast-paced and you get loads more touches on the ball and score loads of goals.

We got selected to play in a West Midlands tournament by Staffs FA. It was really exciting and really fun.”

Futsal is getting bigger and more attractive to players and coaches alike. The hope is that we can enter more teams at more age groups (girls and boys) for years to come.

We will be doing all we can to support those involved in the game so they too can experience competitions at national level, as well as at local level.

To find out more about futsal in Staffordshire, please CLICK HERE