Seattle Futsal Academy takes first steps in 'exciting, fundamental sport'

Visit: www.SeattleFutsal.com

Peter Cadigan is one of three local soccer lovers who is getting the new "Seattle Futsal Academy" off to a kicking start. We talked with Peter about the plans for the Academy and also about the fast-paced, footskills sport of Futsal. Don't think 'indoor soccer,' because Futsal has no walls.

How / when did Seattle Futsal Academy get started?

Peter: Seattle Futsal just started its first league this past weekend.  We are not operating as an academy at the moment.  Our goal is to organize leagues and tournaments for playing futsal and to raise the interest in the game in our area. We started SFA with an idea of spreading the game of Futsal.  We are 3 guys who have grown up in Seattle and have played soccer since we were 5 years old.  We were never exposed to this game as youth and feel that this game can add so much to the skill development of players as they pursue their soccer goals.  Its a fun sport for adults as well.  These are the reasons for why we created SFA.

Do you play year round?

We will be offering leagues year round.  Futsal has a great advantage in an area like the Northwest; since Futsal is played indoors we don’t have to worry about the weather. We are not set up for memberships right now.   We have a league currently running for high school aged girls that has 6 teams that play on Sundays from noon to 4PM at the Wallingford Boys and Girls Club in Seattle.   We will be offering leagues and/or tournaments for other ages and boys in the very near future.

Explain the game to American soccer fans who might not be familiar. (Rules, number of players, etc.) How is it the same/different than outdoor soccer or American 'arena' soccer?

Futsal is FIFA’s official indoor soccer game.  It is played five on five, usually on a hard surface field that is roughly the size of a basketball court.  The ball is slightly smaller than used in full field soccer.  It’s also slightly heavier and doesn’t bounce as high.  The big difference in comparison to traditional American indoor soccer is that futsal is played with touchline boundaries.  Because of this, futsal demands and develops a higher level of ball control and on-the-ball skills.  In traditional American indoor soccer, kicking the ball off the walls is often an important part of creating scoring opportunities.  These types of plays do not transfer to playing outdoor soccer. However, in futsal, players must play a quality control game that is also necessary in outdoor soccer.

How can playing Futsal help the traditional outdoor player?

The traditional outdoor player will gain many things from playing Futsal:  individual ball control, quick decision making, more touches on the ball, playing within smaller boundaries, shot precision and if thats not enough come check us out on Sundays.

What do you think the future holds for the sport in the Puget Sound area?

We believe in the game of futsal, and we believe it will catch on in the Puget Sound area.  There are organizations in both Portland and Spokane that have been successful in maintaining steady leagues.  Seattle is very much a soccer city, even before we had an MLS team.  We think if we can just get people out playing the game, the players will find out how much fun it is, and the coaches will see what a great skill developing game it is. 

Explain the explosion of popularity for Futsal in South America, and especially Brazil. Why is the game so big there?

The origin of Futsal can be traced back to Montevideo, Uruguay, in 1930 when Juan Carlos Ceriani devised a five-a-side version of soccer for youth competition in YMCAs.  Once Ceriani got the ball rolling, Futsal gained rapid popularity throughout South America, particularly in Brazil. The skill developed in this game is visible in the world-famous style the Brazilians display outdoors on the full-sized field. Pele, Zico, Socrates, Bebeto and other Brazilian superstars developed their skill playing Futsal.

Do you ever see a time when professional Futsal comes to America in a league of our own?

The day that Futsal comes to America in a professional setting is years away but not tens of years away.  It is such a fast paced, exciting, fundamental sport!  It is only a matter of time before people get a hold of this game and realize that a professional league is mandatory in America.

What are your short and long term goals for SFA?

Our short term goals for SFA are to provide leagues and tournaments to youth in the Seattle area.  Our long term goals are to provide leagues, tournaments and clinics for Futsal enthusiasts of ALL ages in the Seattle area.  By providing these opportunities we will hopefully spread the game of Futsal beyond the city of Seattle.

Photo credits: Top: Dosz Middle: Toksuede Bottom: TIGO10's