Futsal on the rise in Oceania

The OFC Futsal and Beach Soccer Development Officer recently attended the FIFA Futsal Coaching Instructors’ Seminar in Madrid, Spain and has returned brimming with confidence that OFC and its Member Associations are heading in the right direction as far as the five-a-side game is concerned.
Toohey says he has come away with two key impressions from the four-day seminar held at RFEF’s headquarters at Ciudad del Futbol.
“To begin with, it is important to recognise the great support for our futsal programme that comes from FIFA. This year alone will see at least five FIFA coaching courses in our region. Secondly I would say we have a great opportunity with futsal to not only shine on the world stage, but to ensure this game plays an important role in the development of our young players,” he says.
“We’ve already seen it with Solomon Islands who have done so well with limited resources, and I think as futsal grows there’s a great opportunity for the Member Associations who believe in futsal’s technical, tactical and social benefits, to do very well.”
While he sees a clear future for Oceania among the futsal elite, Toohey recognises there is a lot of hard work ahead, as the game is evolving rapidly.
“My task was to go to Madrid and present the OFC Futsal Programme along with the development work and competitions that form an important part of the Member Association programmes, from grassroots through to elite level,” he says.
With the other confederations also presenting their futsal programmes, Toohey was provided with an opportunity to compare the progress in Oceania with the rest of the world – and says we stack up well.
“I think we’re doing really well, but it is also very important to recognise that the game is young in our region – and that we have much hard work ahead of us,” he says.
“I felt very privileged to be able to present some of the outstanding futsal projects in countries such as Tahiti, New Zealand, Vanuatu and New Caledonia, while also highlighting the emerging futsal nations like American Samoa, Samoa and Tonga.”
“I also spoke about the vital part futsal can and does play in the OFC Player Development Pathway. Futsal is now part of the OFC D Licence and Grassroots programmes and increasingly we are asking our Member Associations to consider futsal as a regular activity in their Development Centres and Centres of Excellence. And to extend their football seasons with futsal.”
With some of the world’s top futsal minds in attendance, Toohey had a captive audience when it came to sharing Oceania’s rising status in the game.
Among those present were FIFA Futsal Instructors who have worked in the region in the past, including Spain’s Venancio Lopez, Pierre Jacky of France, Scott Gilligan from Australia and Graeme Dell of England.
“It was great to spend time with the top instructors, to see some old friends of the region and meet with some new friends and potential collaborators. Not only are they some of the best coaches in the world – World Cup winning coaches – but they are key figures who are shaping the future of futsal, and people with a genuine interest in seeing the game develop around the globe.
“Although we are small in terms of numbers, our programme is becoming more comprehensive and we have a particular focus on the kids – the youth of the region.
“If you look at Asia or UEFA where futsal is growing rapidly, in some countries that could equate to millions of players. For us we are looking at 20-30,000 registered players right across the region, but I think we compare quite favourably because we are becoming more and more serious about futsal. OFC and an increasing number of our Member Associations really believe in this game.”
While updating his international colleagues on Oceania’s progress as a region, Toohey says attending the seminar was just as much a professional development exercise for himself as well.
“There was a practical as well as a theory component at the seminar and its always great to spend time on the court,” he said.
“After the seminar I was also able to discuss, with various representatives, OFC’s futsal programme and I was really encouraged by where we are at. I think when we re-launch the OFC Futsal Level 1 and 2 later this year they are going to be strong courses and of real benefit to the aspiring futsal coaches.”
And in terms of personal development, Toohey says a highlight was the opportunity to attend a professional club game in Spain.
“Having seen a good amount of international futsal – as fantastic as that is – it is hard to beat the passion of a club game.
“I saw Inter Movistar at home to Burela FS – Inter Movistar being the top of the league with a plethora of Spanish internationals as well as Ricardinho of Portugal and rising star Bateria of Brazil who I hope we are going to see at the next World Cup.
“To see Inter on their home court with thousands in attendance was great. There was a wonderful atmosphere and it really hit home again that futsal is a massive part of the football environment in Spain.
“While not on the scale of football, you can see in that context it’s a serious game with dedicated fans, packed stadiums and large tv audiences. Plus the technical and tactical level for me was incredible.”
Returning to the seminar itself, Toohey says some of the trends the game has seen develop over the past few years were also under discussion.
“One aspect that has been identified from the 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup and the 2014 Futsal Euros, is the increasing professionalism of the game – the physical conditioning of the players, the improvement in the coaching, and the technical and tactical ability of the players.
“Another trend – and this is something I believe all participants welcomed, is the apparent closing of the gap between the top tier – Brazil and Spain – and the second and third tiers of teams. Italy and Russia’s performances to make the Euro final in particular, were outstanding.
Toohey says the increasing profile of futsal and the opportunities the game presents can only be a good thing for Oceania.
“One thing I would like to say to our Member Associations is, if you invest in futsal now with your 10 to 12-year-old girls and boys, I feel certain you will see significant benefits in the long-term, not just in futsal, but in football. And you will see those benefits on and off the pitch.
“That was reinforced to me many times when I was away, especially after speaking with my Spanish counterparts – futsal is a vital fabric of their game. It is cultural – played in the streets, the schools and clubs, anywhere in fact where there is some space to play, a ball and some passionate kids.
“It is well documented that many of the world’s top players honed their skills playing small-sided games like futsal and there is absolutely no reason why it should be any different in our region. Every day in Oceania we see these kids who just want to play. The players are ready, even if we as coaches, teachers and administrators are not.”