Friday 28th June, I rocked up to Wellington train station ready to hit Birmingham for the weekend. Still fuelled on the excitement from the TEAMSIXTEEN launch, I headed to the Futsal arena early to help set up.
After meeting up with Jazz Hervin at the train station we swept across the city with excitement, wondering what the weekend would have in store for us... Pumping up 40 odd footballs and unpacking bibs wasn't the expected start. But the overwhelming venue certainly put the event into perspective. Walking into the main arena, looking out onto 8 Futsal pitches was eye opening. I started to realise how big of an event this was going to be.
The setting up process wasn't as hectic as I was expecting. The electronic pump certainly helped. But following this, our jobs finished after pinning up registration signs and Futsal advertising boards... Which meant an early finish!
Rocking back to the hotel the rain started to pour, and pour! Good job the whole event was going to be indoor! Checking in was a fun process, made even better by the receptionist say that I and Jazz were going to be sharing a bed, not just a room! Good job she realised what she had said, there were 2 beds in the room. Phew!
Tea time soon came when we were joined by Lauren Asquith and Sarah Lowden who were also working at the event. Salmon, Chicken and Chocolate fondant was on the menu. You could tell who the young ones were, each of us leaving the parcel of vegetables with the chicken.
The final event of the night as a group was a part of what I'd call, mental preparation.. The pub, Sacks of Potatoes! Luckily Lauren was allowed in! :) A good end to the day, and a great start to the weekend.
Saturday morning soon rolled over, leaving the alarm snooze as long as possible. Breakfast at 7, full English, glass of milk and my favourite cereal... corn flakes, milk and sugar.
Arriving back at the Futsal Arena, the advertising boards were all up and around pitches, spectator stands in the empty areas, music blaring, excitement building. Jobs were given out for the day, I was pitch manager in pitch 6! I was then wired up with a microphone and radio.. Feeling quite big time! Teams started arriving, after looking down the list of teams, I recognised a few names and a number of the coaches who came in. Fantastic for Shropshire to have such a high number of representatives!
All of the teams had arrived, pitches were set, referees ready... Lets play ball!
The first day held U10s and U12s, both boys and girls, 10 teams within each age group. 11 minute games, no penalties until the semis and finals. The banter with the referees was great, very nerve settling. I was still feeling overwhelmed with the size or the event. The level of planning and scale of the tournament was a little be frightening.. naturally I didn't want to put a step wrong.
As the games got flowing, and I wasn't' racing around chasing teams I was able to enjoy the futsal being played on my pitch. Some fantastic players and ability on show, really proving how valuable futsal can be. And also how great the game looks when played properly. Teams were always ready for the next game, great for me and also the tournament meaning it could run smoothly and to time.
Although it was a long day, the games fed from one into the other and passed really quickly. The semis and finals soon came around. The trophies were put out on show so teams could see what they were playing for. At pitch 6 we had the girl's finals, Writtle Minors Girls vs.St Anne’s Rovers Community FC [U10s] and Farsley Celtic Girls vs. Carshalton Athletic Girls [U12s]. Neither final went to penalties. 4 teams who I hadn't seen play all day put on 2 lively finals where either of the teams could have won. But even that this age of futsal, you can see the harsh realities of sport. That fine line between winning and losing.
A fantastic first day finished with the handing out of the trophies, unbelievable sized cups which were nearly as tall as some of the players. After the teams has left we finished off for the day with a team meeting and then headed back to the hotel and the pub for a cider to celebrate. 1 down 1 to go!
Another round of chicken for tea, but no chocolate fondant. Only 2 left and I didn't shout dibs quick enough! We returned to the pub before bed, another long day was ahead of us. 2 different age groups, new ways to play the game and more players hungry for success!
So day 2 of the tournament, started early again, more teams to rota through the doors, more futsal to be played. Another crop of teams and coaches recognisable from Shropshire, fingers crossed for a home county winner!!
A change of roles for a couple of us, I was moved from pitch manager to photo accreditation. A role I took up by choice to allow another young leader the chance to experience the tournament from the touch line.
For me, I was busy for the first couple of hours. As teams, parents and supporters rolled in they came across to pick up their wristbands to allow them to take photos. After that first rush I only had maybe 10 people come across to see me. A boring job? maybe, but one which has to be done.
The positive, my table looked straight onto pitch 2, so when parents weren't stood directly in front of me I got the chance to watch a bit of Futsal. Again, some great young players and teams on show, as you would expect with them being in the 10 top teams in the country.
Day 2 showcased U14 and U16 boys and girls Futsal. Older age groups, more serious competition and hopefully a higher standard of Futsal. It was great, as a coach myself, to wander around a little and see different tactics being used; pass and move, long ball, goal hangers. At no point did I think, 'this looks like a typical 5-a-side.' Sure the rules are slightly different, but it's almost a different sport. Like the view a ref takes on a law, the different interpretations of Futsal are fantastic.
As with anything, the older age group did bring a few more questions regarding referee's decisions. But that was to be expected, after all, they can only ever please 50% of players.
As the day flew by, the tournament heated up. Parents looking at the score board and kids enjoying their Futsal. Teams went home and others pushed on, semis and finals drew closer and a certain Shropshire team were looking likely to qualify for the later stages. My job was nearly done for the day so I was able to enjoy watching the semis and finals.
I watched both of the girl's finals, 2 good games of football where again either team cold have won. The U16s game being decided on penalties, the winners were TNS, a local team to me.. Turns out I was caught celebrating when they won their semis.
The trophies were handed out and photos taken, the day had finished and the tournament ended. Our job was nearly complete with only the microphones to take off balls to collect.
Over 1,800 teams have been a part of the national tournament, but the winning teams and runners up were:
U10 Boys
Winners: Woodside Youth
Runners-up: Sproatley Juniors
U10 Girls
Winners: Writtle Minors Girls
Runners-up: St Anne’s Rovers Community FC
U12 Boys
Winners: The Oxford Academy
Runners-up: AC Finchley
U12 Girls
Winners: Farsley Celtic Girls
Runners-up: Carshalton Athletic Girls
U14 Boys
Winners: Eastbury Comprehensive School
Runners-up: St John Fisher Catholic College
U14 Girls
Winners: Rainham School for Girls
Runners-up: Tottenham Hotspur Ladies
U16 Boys
Winners: Escolla
Runners-up: Birmingham Futsal Club
U16 Girls
Winners: The New Saints FC
Runners-up: Arnold Hill
Just a few post event thoughts to conclude; on such a big event, it's so important to have a strong front. If things go wrong, or problems occur.. Which they did, you've got to be able to carry in as if nothing has happened. The professional approach to the event by all of us helped us to overcome the problem and 'keep clam and carry on.'
I saw so many players, playing with a smile, enjoying the competition. After the U12 girl's finals, there were more parents celebrating than players. A shame that parents feel the need to take over the player's successes. I saw coaches screaming at players, is that necessary?
From the weekend I can take forwards the level/standard to aim at whenever i put on tournaments or approach events. I hope that I will work at events of this size again and many more Futsal events. This may have been the first, but hopefully not the last. The skills I've learnt and used during my time on the Football Futures programme certainly came to hand over the weekend.
A super weekend in Birmingham drew to a close. A fantastic opportunity for myself to work on a huge event. I've not worked on anything that size before. My nerves before hand were shaken off early on, I thought it was too big time, but my experiences and work ethic pulled me through. I met up with and worked with a number of great people, young leaders from across the country. County and National FA staff who I've not met before, but hope to work with again. I thank everyone involved for allowing me to be a part of the National Youth Futsal Festival. This achievement of being selected to work on it shows the heights of where volunteering can take you, how much can be achieved through Football Futures, where the journey can lead.
