SUFFOLK FA are creating a new futsal specific youth league to start this season in North Suffolk.

The new league will be taking place at Waterlane Sports Centre in Lowestoft and will provide an alternative option for teams to play on a Saturday morning and will initially be offering Futsal for U8 and U15 teams.

Suffolk FA Football Development Officer James Morley said: “The league will be running the age groups on alternating weeks throughout their season.

“We have identified the league to take place in North Suffolk due to there not being a local boys’ league in the area at the moment, with the majority of local provision being on a Sunday.

“The plan in the long run will be to replicate for girls on a Sunday also, once we are able to establish the league during the first pilot season.”

The league is scheduled to commence on Saturday, November 4th 2023 and provide futsal fixtures to all teams that enter the league.

Futsal is the FIFA-recognised form of small-sided indoor football. It is played between two teams who each have five players on the pitch at any one time, with rolling substitutes and a smaller ball than soccer that is harder and less bouncy.

The small amount of space means players must have great technique and skill, it is considered a development tool for 11-a-side football.

Futsal is a great format of football which is 5v5 and played inside on a hard-court floor with a specific futsal ball to promote plenty of touches and playing the ball on the floor.

It is a great format of the game which Suffolk FA would like to promote and develop in the county.

The league is open to any club who wants to participate. All teams must be affiliated, and players registered to those futsal teams.

It will be £25 per team per week to join the futsal league. This will help cover the running costs of the league. The league will cover the costs of insurance for newly affiliated teams for the 2023-24 season.

Games will take place between 9am and 1pm on Saturdays, with matches being 10 minutes each way for U8 and 20 minutes each way for U15. All games will have a rolling clock.

If you are interested in being part of the league and have availability to play on Saturday mornings, please could you complete this quick form to confirm your interest here

If you have any questions about the league, please don’t hesitate to contact James Morley on 07976 957094 or email james.morley@suffolkfa.com