|
The
origin of Futsal® (Five-a-Side Soccer) 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. The game
is played on basketball-sized courts, both indoors and out without the
use of sidewalls.
The term FUTSAL® is the international term used for the game.
It is derived from the Spanish or Portuguese word for "soccer"--
FUTbol
or
FUTebol,
and the French or Spanish word for "indoor" --
SALon
or
SALa. The
term was adopted by U.S. Futsal since it includes the initials "fUtSAl"
(USA). The
term was trademarked in the United States after U.S. Futsal changed its
corporate name within the state of California.
The game is frequently referred to as Five-A-Side or Mini-soccer. 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. While Brazil continues
to be the Futsal hub of the world, the game is now played, under the
auspices of FIFA, all over the world, from Europe to North and Central
America and the Caribbean, South America, Africa, and Asia and Oceania.
The U.S.
Futsal Federation was founded in 1981 and incorporated in January,
1983. Osvaldo Garcia was it's first president. The game is referred to
as Minisoccer, five-a-side soccer, Futbol Sala or Futebol de Salao, but
it is also widly refereed by it trademark name, Futsal. The current
Federation president is Alex J.C. Para.
U.S.
Futsal has conducted a National Championship each year since 1985.
Futsal is establishing itself at the youth level in the U.S. The Boys
and Girls Clubs of America took a strong interest after the Columbia
Park Club in San Francisco asked the Federation to give a
demonstration. The national organization adopted the sport, and it is
now played at about 1,100 Boys and Girls Clubs throughout the U.S. The
American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) also plays the sport in a
close working relationship with U.S. Futsal since 1988.
|
