FRESH off the success of their men's and mixed summer competitions, the Shoalhaven District Futsal Association is preparing to relaunch their women's league.
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Played on a Monday night at the Shoalhaven Indoor Sports Centre, futsal has added a new element to the South Coast's football landscape since its kick-off in 2019.
"For 20 years, the Shoalhaven/South Coast region has been missing a competitive, fun futsal competition," said competition director Brad Banks.
"Futsal Shoalhaven has changed this, and the first two years have shown great promise and community engagement with an exciting future.
"As the community re-engage in sport in a safe, exciting and fun environment, Futsal Shoalhaven have utilised the wonderful facilities at the Shoalhaven Indoor Sports Centre.
"With great feedback from participants of the various competitions so far, the futsal community will only continue to grow and develop as the next big sporting competition in the Shoalhaven."
In January 2020, the Shoalhaven Indoor Sports Centre hosted its inaugural Futsal Fives tournament - marking the first time a competition of this set-up had been played in the region since 1996.
On the back of this tournament, in which Ooarali win the men's cup final and The Piranhas edged Josie and the Mums in the women's, Banks and his team are looking to introduce a fully-fledged women's competition later this month.
"Five-a-side futsal is a fast-paced version of football with an emphasis on creativity, skill, technique and improvisation," Banks said.
"It is a dynamic development of the game revolving around quick movement of the ball to break down opposing defences and continuous movement of players to create opportunities on the ball.
"The team at Futsal Shoalhaven were very happy with the first season of the summer competition being a great success, with a high calibre of skill and enthusiasm on display.
"It presented an opportunity for footballers in the area to continue playing and improving over their usual summer break, while also presenting a friendly competition for newcomers to try their hand at the sport."
Banks and his team also have plans for more competitions in the pipelines, including Football4All and walking futsal.
"With such a successful kick-start to 2021 Futsal Shoalhaven continues to grow in leaps and bounds," he said.
"Football4All is a program target to allow all member of the community of all abilities to engage in a fun and safe environment, catering to the needs of all individuals.
"Walking futsal is a program to engage male and female participants of a more experience age to remain active and remain engaged in a sporting environment."
If you are interested in any of our competitions or would like more information, please contact the futsal staff at futsal@shoalhavenfootball.com.au or contact Brad Banks on 0414 641 733.
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