Upcoming Futsal Tournaments You Should Consider Entering

Updated Nov 15th, 2010

Now that most futsal leagues have kicked off across the country a lot of people have emailed us to inquire about tournaments. Which ones are legit? What kind of competition is there? What rules do they use? So we decided to compile a list of tournaments that Canadian teams could enter throughout the 2009/10 season.

It’s important to note that the majority of Canada still do not have futsal leagues operating and thus teams that are dying to play the sport are resigned to join other indoor leagues that are played on turf, with various types of rules. However, it doesn’t mean that these clubs/teams cannot enter a futsal tournamen. In fact, many of the teams that enter futsal tournaments are actually registered in indoor leagues as it is their only way of getting the 5v5 action they desire.

So whether you are from a team that has never played a futsal game before or belong to a squad that considers themselves seasoned futsallers, here is the list of tournaments that you should take a look at entering this season.

Bob Rathwell Memorial Futsal Tournament

Opening up a very exciting futsal calender in Ontario, this annual Ottawa-area futsal extravanganza is taking place over the January 15-17th weekend and is a perfect measuring stick for teams looking to see where they stand in Canadian futsal. Run by the reliable team at the OCFL (Ottawa Carleton Futsal League) the tournament, named after Canadian futsal pioneer Bob Rathwell who sadly passed away last year, has divisions available for ages U12-U18 and also features a great womens competition. Registration is a reasonable $200 and each team is guaranteed 3 games. The entry deadline is December 31st so think about taking a trip to the nation’s capital, where there is always a lot to enjoy, and play in a great futsal tournament. The registration form can found at the OCFL website, www.futsalottawa.com and emails can be sent to futsalchallenge@futsalottawa.com

Toronto Invitational Futsal Tournament

Without question the most anticipated futsal tournament in Canadian history, the Toronto Invitational is more of tournament within an event as it literally is going to be a tournament within a huge soccer specific tradeshow (Toronto International Soccer Show). It is going down over the January 22-24th weekend, the following week after the Rathwell tourney, and is taking place at the Direct Energy Centre on the Exhibition Grounds, right beside BMO Field, home of Toronto FC. Championship futsal teams in the U16 and U18 divisions and mens from North America, and rumours abound from Brazil and Holland, will be coming to compete for the championship plate, and for the mens division a $3000 cash prize is on the line. The organizors are actually importing 2 huge, blue official FIFA regulation futsal pitches from Sport Court and are flying in a pair of referees that officiated at last year’s CONCACAF Futsal Championships and the FIFA Futsal World Cup to work games and conduct seminars. The price is a cool $400 but is worth every penny and more for those lucky enough to receive an invitation to participate. Teams that believe they belong at this tourney can still contact the organizors to make their pitch via phone 1 416 877-GOAL or by email tift@futsalcanada.ca

Great Lakes Regional

This American tournament is being held in Cleveland, Ohio over the New Years long weekend (January 2-3). Cleveland is on the south side of Lake Erie and is a 2.5 hour drive from Windsor, and a 4.5 hour ride from London, Kitchener and Toronto respectively, which makes it very accesible for teams in the southern Ontario region. Age groups are a plenty here as divisions from U8-mens/womens open exist. The tournament is a pre-cursor to the huge Super F US National Championships in Kansas City in February (A tournament that the Toronto Cruz Azul mens won last year). The Super F organization is the only US Soccer approved futsal group in the US and have been great partners in helping build the sport in North America. They welcome Canadian teams with open arms as Cleveland Super F owner, and former US National Futsal Player, Otto Orf played professional soccer in Toronto in the 90’s and is eager to bridge the two countries together. The cost of entry is $385 US and includes the usual 3 games. The registration deadline is Christmas Eve so consider taking a scenic drive around Lake Erie this January to engage in some friendly cross-border futsal battles with our futsal family down south.

DEFI Futsal Tournament

For the ever talented Quebec futsal community, the DEFI Futsal group has a tournament taking place from in December (5-6th) for youth and March 5-7th for the mens in beautiful St Hyacinthe, an easy 45 minute drive east of Montreal. It features divisions for U11-12’s, U13-14’s and U15-16 boys along with a mens tournament that will feature 32 teams vying for a $1500 cash prize. The entry fee is $250 for kids and $300 for the mens. The deadline to register for the youth tournament is November 23rd and February 8th is the cutoff for the mens event. Call 415-261-1795 or email: vince@defifutsal.com

Ontario Futsal Cup

The provincial championships by the Ontario Soccer Association are still very young (the 2010 edition will be its 4th installment) and include divisions for U14, U16 and adults. There are no pre-requisiites to enter, it is open to any indoor or futsal team. The event takes place on February 13-14th for the adults in Ottawa and the youth compete the following weekend February 20-21st. The U14’s will compete in Toronto at the Hoop Dome while the U16’s will be based in Waterloo at RIM Park. There are 8 teams per age division. Registration is now open and on a first come first serve basis by contacting Chantal Poulin at 905 264-9390 ext 240 or by email at cpoulin@soccer.on.ca

BC Futsal Cup

Just like the OSA Futsal Cup the BC Futsal Cup is the provincial championships for U14 and U16’s. It will be held in Prince George at the College of New Caledonia over the January 9-10th weekend and registration is now open and is on a first come first serve basis  for the first 8 teams per age group by contacting Dan Turvill at 604-299-6401 or by email at danturvill@bcsoccer.net

Super F Championships

The national championships in the Unites States, the Super F group hosts this large national futsal tournament in the Kansas City region over the President’s Day long weekend (February 12-14th). Last year, 112 teams from 10 states, and the championship mens team from Canada entered. This year age divisions offerings will include U9-mens and everything in between. It is a nicely organized tournament and is sanctioned by the US Soccer Federation. So if you want thr best competition from south of the border you should consider entering this one. For more information contact Jon Parry at jparry@bvsoccer.org or call 913-685-2872 ext 105