What the futsal?!

For those of you who don’t know me, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Elle and amongst other things I’m the press officer for Middlesbrough Futsal Club.

If you posted my job advert it would read something like: “unpaid journalist and PR person wanted to cover Middlesbrough Futsal Club, will be under-appreciated, must not be at all easily offended and should expect constant ribbing from just about everybody.”

And yet here I am. Because there’s something about futsal which keeps me coming back. It may be that futsal is a minor sport - I’ve always liked the underdog, the up and comer and the alternative option. Oh and I’m a massive fan of Middlesbrough Football Club.

I’ve always loved football, and supporting Boro came through my DNA from my mum, along with long legs and an insatiable appetite for reading.

Four years ago, I’d never heard of futsal. Now, I can’t really remember not being involved with the club.

I’ve met interesting people, made some really good friends, travelled to games and tournaments all over the country and last year been to Barcelona and Zurich all with Boro futsal.

I know what you’re thinking, ‘that’s all very well, but what is futsal?!’ This is a question I get asked a lot.

The standard answer is: “indoor, five aside, Brazilian rules football” and while that’s true, as with any sport, you can’t convey the excitement of the game, or how much it means to those involved with it.

Futsal is faster than football and it showcases the kind of technical skills that are slowly being lost in today’s multi-million pound football industry. Being five aside it’s more inclusive than the typical eleven aside game and the rolling substitutions let the game flow.

And the majority of those involved put more in than they get out. Certainly in a financial sense as the players and staff are unpaid and have to find funding or sponsorship to cover costs such as kit and travel.

Boro futsal in particular are a real team. Players come and go, they wind each other up and fall out, but they are a family and when the chips are down they’ll do anything for each other.

It’s this spirit, combined with good players and a manager in Damon Shaw whose passion for the game is unparalleled, that saw Boro win the Northern League in 2009 and I believe will see the team reclaim the title this season. Boro went into the Christmas break second on goal difference and will be looking to continue their assault on the league when play starts again on Jan 22nd. I’ll be there and bringing you all the latest news and views from the club and the wonderful world of futsal.