Fostering Connections Through Futsal
“We had a great time tonight. Thanks so much for letting us come and having everything set up! We had 11 players use the gym for the entire two hours. Thank you so much!”
This quote from Rachael, a Futsal for Women participant, sums up the vibe Angel Redmond hoped to achieve with the program. She initially started with co-ed open play futsal, programming select dates for women only; it later changed to solely women only because they were the most consistent players to show up. Visit AVLREC.com for more information on Open Futsal for Women.
Futsal is a modified version of soccer played on a basketball-sized court with a smaller and less bouncy ball. It is recognized by FIFA (International Association Football Federation) as the official indoor soccer game and is played by millions of people around the world. Its rules are based on the Laws of the Game of association football, and it also shares similarities with five-a-side football and indoor soccer.
Open Futsal for Women meets at Stephens-Lee Community Center’s indoor gymnasium on 30 George Washington Carver Avenue. An outdoor futsal court is located at Roger Farmer Park on 71 Deaverview Road.
How Open Futsal for Women Came to Asheville
Angel says the new program came about when local soccer organization Asheville Buncombe Adult Soccer Association (ABASA) needed space for a league. The turnout was great and she wanted to create that same vibe each week.
“It’s a relaxed, friendly environment that still holds the element of competition with participation being the most rewarding aspect,” says Angel. “The only skill I hope is mastered is the skill of camaraderie! I played soccer as a child in Asheville, and was one of the first to play when Highland Football Club (HFC) started. It feels good to bring a sport I loved as a child to the community center I work in as an adult. I haven’t been able to participate because it falls on my choir rehearsal evenings, but I’m glad the players are having a great time.”
A core group of about a dozen women play each week, but all are welcome from beginners to veteran players. Shaping programs that community members are excited about and building relations is an exciting part of her job, according to Angel.
“We are tasked with creating and sustaining programs at the community centers,” she adds. “Enevitabily, some are successful and others aren’t. It always feels good to grow enjoyable programs that people want to participate in on an ongoing basis.”
Benefits of Futsal
Unlike traditional 11v11 soccer, which can involve long periods of standing or jogging, futsal is a game of constant motion and high-stakes decision-making. Primary benefits of playing futsal as an adult include:
- Boosts Cardiovascular Conditioning: Played on a smaller court with only five players per side, football players perform at high aerobic and anaerobic levels for the 40-minute duration of the match. Futsal players also touch the ball up to 600% more often than outdoor soccer players, keeping players sprinting, pivoting, or defending.
- Enhances Cognitive Sharpness and Quick Thinking: Futsal is frequently described as “chess with a ball” with tight spaces and heavy ball requiring players to process information at a much higher speed than almost any other team sport, honing game intelligence and mental focus. Players develop a heightened sense of where teammates and opponents are at all times, a skill that translates to better focus and multitasking in daily life.
- Reduces Injury Risk and Longevity: Futsal is designed with rules that prioritize skill over brute force, making it more sustainable for active adults. Standard futsal rules prohibit slide tackling and excessive bodily contact, significantly reducing the risk of common knee and ankle injuries. The game rewards technical ball control and clever passing rather than how fast or hard kicks. This allows players of varying physical abilities to remain competitive well into later years.
Check Out All APR Programs
Futsal is just one of hundreds of programs, activities, and special events taking place in Asheville parks and community centers each week! Programs fill up fast and many require advance registration, so it’s worth spending some time planning which activities and events to attend. Use these resources to discover additional opportunities:
- Pick up a copy of APR’s free program guide at community center locations
- Search programs online, available in 249 languages via Google Translate’s Website Translator
- Follow APR on Facebook and Instagram
- Search parks, greenways, playgrounds, and recreation locations throughout Asheville
Off the Bench is an Asheville Parks & Recreation series highlighting fresh recreation programs wellness-, education-, and culture-related recreation programs for community members of all ages. Driven by the promise that Asheville is a better and safer place when everyone from infants to retirees has the opportunity to be supported, healthy, and successful, talented program leaders continually introduce new opportunities for Ashevillians to explore, connect, and discover.