Unlike some other forms of indoor football, the game is played on a hard court surface delimited by lines; walls or boards are not used. Futsal is also played with a smaller ball with less bounce than a regulation football. The ball and rules create an emphasis on improvisation, creativity and technique as well as refining ball control, passing and dribbling in small spaces.
The Primary Schools competition caters for boys and girls in 3rd and 4th class, and the Post-Primary Schools competition caters for boys and girls in First Year. The programme delivers a quality fast paced action packed game focusing on skill, speed and technique.
Primary competitions run from October to December with emphasis on fun and participation. The events will run to local level only.
Post-Primary competitions begin in October with Provincial Finals in November and National Finals in early December. There is a competition in each County and the winners of each section (boys and girls) progress to their respective Provincial Finals. Each Provincial winner will then progress to the National Finals which will be held on Tuesday, December 5 in Waterford IT Arena.
Last year 280 Post Primary Schools and 5,220 students and 758 Primary Schools and 15,180 students took part in the programme.
To register your Primary School, please visit http://www.fai.ie/ireland/fai-primary-schools-futsal
To register your Post-Primary School, please visit http://www.fai.ie/ireland/fai-post-primary-schools-futsal