Wagga Futsal on the rise

The NSW country town of Wagga Wagga has caught the Futsal bug as the fastest growing sport in Australia has continued its promotion encouraging participants to get involved.

With just over 30 teams ranging from the Under 8’s right through to Open Mens and Mixed, Wagga Futsal has thrown in an exciting initiative in boosting more player numbers for the current season.

Wagga Futsal’s Chris Ayton, the founder of the competition, has decided to give all money generated from the sport back to local outdoor football clubs.

“We are giving all moneys generated back to local outdoor football clubs,” Ayton said.

“The money back to the clubs will be via a prorate concept on participation.

“We are hoping that this will drive the numbers growth in Futsal and therefore help numbers in outdoor football as well.”

Ayton is working closely with Football NSW Regional Coach and Development Manager for Riverina Blaise Fagan in getting the sport of Futsal noticed in country areas.

Along with Fagan, Ayton is being assisted by Sam Grey and Kyle Harrison whom both have thrown their hats in the arena in getting the sport of Futsal off the ground in Wagga.

Another initiative Ayton hopes to achieve is tapping into the schools system and plans have already been put in place in getting this off the ground.

“We are busy working on getting futsal introduced as an endorsed schools sport and have made contact with the combined high schools to get this started.

“Once endorsed we would like to start an inter schools competition solely in the focus of sending teams to the NSR Football NSW’s Schools State Titles.

“We feel as though schools will play a pivotal role for us in increasing participation in our outdoor competitions.”

It was a solid opening for Wagga Futsal as Ayton was impressed with their inaugural year in 2012 but has stated that there is certainly more room for improvement.

“As a while I’m very happy with the results we have achieved in our first year.

“We have had great feedback from parents, coaches and players and from the looks of things we are certainly growing year to year.

“Our aim is to see a good portion of our juniors playing futsal over summer and winter, personally I think it’s a vital tool in their development as footballers and I am very excited to see the results of what we are doing prosper in a few years’ time.”

-By Mark Stavroulakis