PUBLISHED
15:33 28th January 2014
by Alistair Pusinelli
It was a tall order to finish in the top four and qualify but the lads have played really well all season and deserve to go through"
Owen Fisher
Brighton & Hove Albion's Futsal team has reached the last 32 of the first ever Soccer AM Futsal Cup, powered by NCS (National Citizen Service).Owen Fisher
The side now face Cardiff City, Grimsby Town and Exeter City in a league-based second round phase in a bid to reach the knock-out stages. Hundreds of qualifiers for the cup took place between Football League, Premier League and Football Conference clubs, where Albion finished in the top four in their pool.*
Coach Owen Fisher said: “It was a tall order to finish in the top four and qualify but the lads have played really well all season and deserve to go through. We are looking forward to the next round and although Cardiff, Grimsby and Exeter will be strong tests for us, I'm quietly confident that we can make it through to the last 16."
NCS has linked up with the Football League Trust to stage the inaugural tournament which will see the winning team go on a playing tour of Barcelona, one of Europe's futsal capitals. *NCS is a government-backed programme for 15-17 year-olds where participants build skills for work and life, while taking on new challenges and adventures, making new friends, learning new skills and contributing to their community. Students commit to giving 30 hours to a local community project as part of the programme.
AITC has run the NCS programme since 2012. Last summer eight students from AITC's futsal scholarship took part in the summer programme joining NCS students on a two-week outdoor pursuits residential course. Around 30 'futsallers' are expected to take part in this summer's programme as the charity *looks to develop closer links between the initiatives.
Albion in the Community's futsal scholarship is currently in its second year. The programme provides 16-19 year-olds with opportunities on and off the pitch, as they study towards a BTEC Diploma in Sport with AITC. Graduates of the programme often progress to university, overseas football scholarships and careers within the sports industry.
AITC are now recruiting boys and girls for next year's futsal scholarship which starts in September. If you are 16 or 17, want to get a sports qualification and play for futsal for the Albion contact hayley.funnell@albioninthecommunity.org.uk.
All the ties for the next round of the Soccer AM Futsal Cup are to be played on February 4 at the Birmingham Futsal Arena.
Albion v Doncaster at the Amex on February 8th, 3pm kick off. Tickets available online, at the Amex Ticket Office or via the telephone on 08443271901.
Original article