First Flybe U9 Schools Football Cup takes off

The inaugural Flybe Under 9 Schools Futsal Cup tournament has taken place, with the three regional winners being Stoke Hill in the Exeter section, Drakes from East Budleigh in East Devon and Ilfracombe in North Devon.

The tournament proved so popular that Exeter City’s Football in the Community department is to launch a schools futsal league, for Under 10s and Under 11s.

The first Junior Futsal League will begin with two series of round-robin friendly games on Monday 15 and 22 April in the sports hall at St Peters High School, Quarry Lane, from 6-8pm, with a view to starting the league on Monday 29 April.

“We have been delighted with the enthusiasm with which schools and players have taken to this tournament,” says Danny Harris, sports development officer. “The futsal days we have been running over half term and now the Easter holidays have proved incredibly popular and we hope that schools will really engage with this new league.”

Devon County Councillors Saxon Spence, Andrew Leadbetter and Richard Westlake provided funds from their locality budget to purchase special futsal goals, which will now be used in the new league and for other community futsal events.

Futsal is the FIFA approved style of small-sided football, which places a large emphasis on technical skill and ability, making it an excellent way to develop football techniques that can be translated into the 11-a-side game.

Many of the world’s top footballers, including Lionel Messi, have played futsal and credit it with supporting their footballing development.

For more information on the league, contact Danny Harris on 07827 871721 or email danny.harris@exetercityfc.co.uk.