The Club Futsal program offers teams, with players aged between 8-12, six weeks of futsal in six different venues across Fingal ensuring continuity of play in the winter months. Futsal is the recognised FIFA & UEFA 5-a-side version of the game with a large emphasis on technique and skill.
This year sees a unique angle where the important topic of nutrition with young players will give the program an added value.
Ian Hunter, centre director of the Swords Pavilions, commented: “We are excited to partner with the FAI & FCC for this futsal program taking place across our local community. It gives kids a fantastic opportunity to express their futsal skills in a safe environment. The extra dimension this year of a nutritional element takes this programme a step forward giving the players and their coach’s practical advice in this area while ensuring it’s delivered within the enjoyment of the game.”
The nutritional aspect will see training on this topic for all coaches of teams taking part, a nutritional flyer issued to all coaches and players, a players’ healthy eating log, and certificate of participation for players for healthy eating habits.
Paul Keogh, FAI/Fingal County Council development officer, added: “We have been running the futsal module for a number of years now so to add this aspect of healthy eating adds an exciting aspect to the program and also tackles an important subject for players and parents alike. It is great to have the assistance of FAI head of Fitness Dan Horan and the support of Swords Pavilions and Fingal County Council’s sports department. The 6 week program will involve 140+ teams with 1400 players benefiting.”
Niall McGuirk, Fingal County Council Senior Sports officer, said: “We have supported the FAI’s futsal module for a number of years under our remit of participation and health and wellbeing. This nutritional aspect is an exciting addition and is in line with our sports department objectives and goal toward a healthy Fingal under a national framework of Healthy Ireland.”