Gorton under-16 girls futsal team win historic FA Youth Cup

What is Futsal?

Futsal is a fast-paced variant of football played with five players on each team.

Originating in South America, it is typically played on an indoor hard floor surface with a smaller, low-bounce ball.

Futsal serves as an excellent developmental tool for footballers, emphasising technical skills, quick thinking, and agility.

Renowned footballers such as Pelé, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kevin De Bruyne, Ronaldinho, and Max Kilman have openly credited futsal for aiding their development.

FA Youth Futsal Cup

This prestigious tournament attracted over 1,000 teams across various age categories, including under-10s, under-12s, under-14s, and under-16s for both boys and girls.

Sala Futsal Club

The triumphant Sala Futsal Club girls clinched the title after emerging victorious in local and regional finals, which paved their way to the national finals held at Wolverhampton University on July 9th, 2023.

The finals day witnessed the top four teams from England’s four regions battling it out for the ultimate prize.

Manchester FA

Representing Manchester FA, Sala Futsal Club faced a tough semi-final challenge against Haringey girls from London.

They displayed exceptional skills and teamwork and secured a commanding 5-1 victory, setting the stage for a thrilling grand final against Merseyside school girls.

The title decider proved to be a nail-biting encounter, with both teams giving their all.

After an intense match, the scores were level at 2-2. In the subsequent penalty shootout, Sala Futsal Club held their nerve, prevailing 3-2 to claim the coveted national champions’ crown.

Neil Lucas, the Head Coach of Sala Futsal Club, expressed his admiration for the U16 girls’ outstanding achievement, stating, “It’s an amazing accomplishment for these girls, most of whom are under 15, to emerge as winners.

“I have had the privilege of coaching them for the past 3 or 4 years, and witnessing their growth and improvement has been truly remarkable.”

Adding to the club’s success, Sala Futsal Club’s U16 boys’ team, who were national champions in 2022, also reached the final, facing off against Durham Schools.

After an exhilarating contest, the match concluded with a 3-3 draw.

Durham ultimately triumphed in the penalty shootout, but Sala’s U16 boys became the first team to reach two successive finals, cementing their reputation as a formidable force in youth futsal.

In the same competition, Sala Futsal Club had another reason to celebrate as their U12 girls’ team secured an impressive third-place finish, underscoring the club’s commitment to developing young talent across different age groups.

Notable Futsal Players

Notable players who have graduated from Sala Futsal Club include Callum Styles (Barnsley & Hungary), Tyrhys Dolan (Blackburn Rovers), Thelo Aasgaard (Wigan Athletic), and Luke Cundle (Wolves).

Neil Lucas, the Head Coach of Sala Futsal Club, holds a UEFA Futsal coaching license and also works with Manchester United Women’s RTC, coaching futsal to the girls’ Academy footballers.

Additionally, Neil has served as an FA coach educator and mentor, further contributing to the growth of futsal in the region.

Sala Futsal Club, based in Tameside, Oldham, and Manchester, offers coaching sessions and teams for boys and girls aged 6 to 16.

To learn more about Sala Futsal Club and their initiatives, please click here.

You can also call them on 07790779007

Stay updated with Sala Futsal Club on Twitter and Instagram: @salafutsalclub