Futsal Programme Launched In New Zealand

Wellington, March 26 NZPA – Futsal’s place in the New Zealand soccer landscape is set to increase with the launch of national Futsal programme at a workshop in Auckland on Saturday.

The FIFA-approved form of indoor football has been played in New Zealand since the 1980s and while teams from New Zealand have entered international competitions since then, the selection process for future national teams will be improved.

Courtesy of: http://www.voxy.co.nz/sport/futsal-programme-launched-nz/5/43184

A new national competition structure, with four tournaments a year, will be introduced for New Zealand Football-affiliated futsal providers, with players from these clubs eligible to represent New Zealand at OFC Futsal Championships and FIFA Futsal World Cups.

Recently appointed NZF Futsal Development Manager Dave Payne acknowledges the alignment of local and regional leagues is an important step but says the alignment and integration of futsal into NZF’s development strategy is what really excites him.

“Futsal has such an important role to play,” Payne said.

“At the very broadest sense it’s another doorway to football, attracting new players to the game and giving traditional 11-a-side players another structured avenue to play the sport they love all year round.”