futsal Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 Hey everyone, As some of you may know I love the sport of futsal (FIFA's only sanctioned indoor soccer) a lot and am disappointed at how the sport has been treated here in the country but gradually a strong group of us are building it up brick by brick and the start, at least in the Greater Toronto Area, is with a new sanctioned Toronto Futsal League which will include a mens promotion/relegation system that will include a wack of top CSL players. There are youth divisions as well and clinics from some of Canada's top futsallers. Here is the info for the league registration so please feel to pass it on to anyone you think may be interested. I'd also love to see people come out to watch the sport and see what it's all about, it's free so nothing to lose. You can check out www.futsalcanada.ca for a decent idea of where to find futsal in your region. If you have any info about BC or Quebec please send it off to us as we want this to be a CANADIAN site, not just Ontario-centric as years past have offered. ______________________________________________________________________ Toronto Futsal League DESCRIPTION: A brand new FIFA rules league that aims to offer the best futsal competition in Ontario. The league will offer divisions from U10-Mens pending interest. The mens division is easily the best in the country and features 1 Premier Division, that will offer the best competition in the region and a 2nd Division. Each division will feature 8 teams and will offer a promotion system. There will be $5000 in champions cash prizes plus a trip for the champions to compete in the US against other league champions (mens only). The best futsal players from the former Canadian Professional Futsal League and current stars of the Canadian Soccer League will battle for futsal supremacy. DATES: October 2009-April 2010. Kickoff is Sunday October 18th GAMES: 16 Regular Season Games, plus playoffs DIVISIONS: U10, U12, U14, U16, U18, Mens 1st and 2nd divisions (open to GTA) LOCATIONS: West Humber Collegiate 11am-3pm Sundays, Michael Power/St Joseph's 6:15-10:15pm Sundays. Rosedale Heights evenings TUES-THURS and more gym times to come. Practice and clinics will also be available during the week REGISTRATION: Now open. 8 Teams per division maximum will fill up quickly. CONTACT: Toronto Futsal League: tfl@futsalcanada.ca TEAM ENTRY: Mens Premier Division: $2000, 2nd Division (open) $1300. (max 12 per team) All Inclusive: NO REF FEES, NO GYM FEES, FREE FUTSAL BALL PER TEAM + opportunities for private training clinics with national team players and opportunities for coaching and referee certification programs. YOUTH: $1200 All Inclusive, no gym fees, no ref fees, 1 free 2 hour futsal clinic with a national team player, team ball. INDIVIDUALS: $200 (Premier Division), $150 (2nd Division), $150 youth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VPjr Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 good luck with this my friend. i hope this works and is a huge success. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trillium Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 quote:Originally posted by futsal Hey everyone, As some of you may know I love the sport of futsal (FIFA's only sanctioned indoor soccer) a lot and am disappointed at how the sport has been treated here in the country but gradually a strong group of us are building it up brick by brick and the start, at least in the Greater Toronto Area, is with a new sanctioned Toronto Futsal League which will include a mens promotion/relegation system that will include a wack of top CSL players. There are youth divisions as well and clinics from some of Canada's top futsallers. Here is the info for the league registration so please feel to pass it on to anyone you think may be interested. I'd also love to see people come out to watch the sport and see what it's all about, it's free so nothing to lose. You can check out www.futsalcanada.ca for a decent idea of where to find futsal in your region. If you have any info about BC or Quebec please send it off to us as we want this to be a CANADIAN site, not just Ontario-centric as years past have offered. ______________________________________________________________________ Toronto Futsal League DESCRIPTION: A brand new FIFA rules league that aims to offer the best futsal competition in Ontario. The league will offer divisions from U10-Mens pending interest. The mens division is easily the best in the country and features 1 Premier Division, that will offer the best competition in the region and a 2nd Division. Each division will feature 8 teams and will offer a promotion system. There will be $5000 in champions cash prizes plus a trip for the champions to compete in the US against other league champions (mens only). The best futsal players from the former Canadian Professional Futsal League and current stars of the Canadian Soccer League will battle for futsal supremacy. DATES: October 2009-April 2010. Kickoff is Sunday October 18th GAMES: 16 Regular Season Games, plus playoffs DIVISIONS: U10, U12, U14, U16, U18, Mens 1st and 2nd divisions (open to GTA) LOCATIONS: West Humber Collegiate 11am-3pm Sundays, Michael Power/St Joseph's 6:15-10:15pm Sundays. Rosedale Heights evenings TUES-THURS and more gym times to come. Practice and clinics will also be available during the week REGISTRATION: Now open. 8 Teams per division maximum will fill up quickly. CONTACT: Toronto Futsal League: tfl@futsalcanada.ca TEAM ENTRY: Mens Premier Division: $2000, 2nd Division (open) $1300. (max 12 per team) All Inclusive: NO REF FEES, NO GYM FEES, FREE FUTSAL BALL PER TEAM + opportunities for private training clinics with national team players and opportunities for coaching and referee certification programs. YOUTH: $1200 All Inclusive, no gym fees, no ref fees, 1 free 2 hour futsal clinic with a national team player, team ball. INDIVIDUALS: $200 (Premier Division), $150 (2nd Division), $150 youth Are you part of the Ontario Soccer Association ? that is are you club running a house league or a league with teams from multiple clubs, fully sanctioned by the OSA ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futsal Posted September 14, 2009 Author Share Posted September 14, 2009 We absolutely will be. We have our meeting this upcoming week. We will be our own futsal specific club. Big plans for futsal over the next 4 seasons starting off with the Toronto Invitational Tournament at the Direct Energy Centre this January. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmcmurph Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 The fees seem very reasonable for a whole team (divide by 12). How many hours of practice & play does that fee get you? Does it only cover games and practices are left up to the teams to arrange themselves? What is your season schedule planned for? Oct to Mar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futsal Posted September 15, 2009 Author Share Posted September 15, 2009 Those fees cover the refs, gyms, 16 games and a clinic with players that represented Canada at last year's Grand Prix in Brazil which makes it a very good deal, especially when you compare other leagues and what they offer/charge. Practices aren't included as the individual teams are better suited to decide if and when they would like to practice. We do have spaces for practices mid-week and if a team wishes to host a weekly practice that will up to them to take and pay for it. The good thing is that the gyms we have are very affordable compared to other regions and they're in great locations where players can take TTC or main arteries (401, DVP,) to get right there. We've also opened up U6-u8's as well if there is enough interest as that is the prime age to get kids to be playign with a futsal ball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trillium Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 quote:Originally posted by futsal We absolutely will be. We have our meeting this upcoming week. We will be our own futsal specific club. Big plans for futsal over the next 4 seasons starting off with the Toronto Invitational Tournament at the Direct Energy Centre this January. I am confused.. your advertising your league..etc. but you are not yet sanctioned or approved under the OSA. Not a good way to begin. What district Association are you hoping to enter ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futsal Posted September 22, 2009 Author Share Posted September 22, 2009 I don't understand why you are confused. We are advertising our league to make sure we actually have numbers for when we are sanctioned. We had our meeting with our district and they are very pleased with what we are doing and we become official (well 99% sure because nothing is ever concrete untilt he paper's signed) after the next BOD meeting. Do you do anything with futsal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futsal Posted September 30, 2009 Author Share Posted September 30, 2009 Just a quick update, all divisions have been pushed back to the weekend of Nov 1st as many clubs made mention they're still catching up on games from outdoor because of the Toronto strike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jeffery S. Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 I know we have had similar conversations before futsal, but just what is the point of reference for players and teams in Metro Toronto area? What do players really know of the game? I know you are knowledgable, but I am not even sure there are refs who have sufficient understand to call a game correctly by FIFA rules. Am I wrong? As you know I follow it in Spain and go to games and all I can say is that watching quality matches, or for you getting good game videos, would do wonders for up and coming players, coaches, clubs and even refs. If you had a cable package that include BarçaTV you could watch their games weekly, and I think that some matches usually on TVE's Teledeporte are also available internationally, esp the Friday night games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 The spanish community had been playing futsal in north york for 40 years, if you need referees, they have them, if you need knowledgeable coaches, they have them, if you need the most talented players in the country they have them too. Futsal might be an alien sport to many soccer fans in the city but not to most ethnic communities in Toronto. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futsal Posted October 1, 2009 Author Share Posted October 1, 2009 Hey Jeff, The sport is without question in its infancy stages here in Canada. Having said that, Eric is right, Toronto is really into futsal, particularly in the northwest part of the city like Jane/Finch where a league commonly known as the Dritfwood league has thrived for a couple of decades. The Toronto Cruz Azul team, now likely to be playing as Toronto City Futsal Club, won gold at the Super F Championships in Kansas in FEB while the same team won bronze at the USFF Championships just 2 months ago. We have easily one of the best 3 cities for futsal in North America so we want to ensure that we take our youth programs to a whole new level with FIFA rules so that we can assure long term success in all facets of the game. This year a few of us started the Toronto Futsal League (and snagged the name for use in Ontario so the AMF guys can no longer use it) so that clubs and academies can have a venue to actually learn the game and play the game. Each youth team is given a free clinic by one of the national team players so that they and their coaches get a good step up on how to play as opposed to reading some lame duck manual online. We saw the broken links within the game here such as; -lack of a proper coaching program -educating all the referees in the FIFA Futsal Laws -making sure that games are sanctioned and run as professional as possible -players being properly registered so that John Smith's cousin who just came to visit for the weekend plays in a league game So we decided to take matters into our own hands and our the major obstacle has been to secure enough gyms to meet the demand that has come from teams not just within the TSA but also from York, Peel, Durham and even Huronia. As annoying as that issue is for us, and every other futsal league, it is not the worst problem one can. The cool thing is that once Canadian parents, administrators, and facility managers understand the game's core benefits 1) it's safer 2) cost-efficient-cheaper than renting our turf domes 3) develops better talent than typical indoor soccer (see Argentina, Spain and Brazil) they are all over it. So we're just chipping away brick by brick until everyone knows that futsal isn't the game the little game you play with your friends in the basement or the pizzeria. The US, Australia, Iran, England, Germany, Ireland, Russia, Japan etc are investing in this game like no tomorrow and we are working to get our chief decision-makers to follow suit. Ottawa actually has 2000 registered players in the OCFL league which is remarkable and there are leagues in Sudbury, Waterloo, London, Montreal, among others that we inevitably we will bring into the FIFA rules fold. After all, our kids can actually play in a FIFA Futsal World Cup, we'll never have one for 7 a side or fake grass indoor. So the futsalcanada.ca website was created to simply give players, coaches, admins, parents a chance to learn a little more about the game after they finished watching another Falcao highlight reel or after reading another article on benefits of playing the game. We offer videos, photos, local and international stories and we'll soon be offering a techincal development section with tips from real FIFA futsal refs and top Canadian players. We had dinner with Stephan Hart the other night and he believed the game should be played here by youth to develop better skills. Inside Soccer has a 5 page story on futsal coming out next week so having good people in influential positions will allow the game to grow. It will take some time but if we don't lay the groundwork now, who will? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamiltonfan Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 great work man. love to hear this kind of stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 quote:Originally posted by futsal The Toronto Cruz Azul team, now likely to be playing as Toronto City Futsal Club Say what? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jeffery S. Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 futsal, all I can say is great, fantastic. I am glad it is developing in Canada seriously so we don't have to ask Ross Ongaro to ask a bunch of ex semi-pros from Edmonton to make up the national team every time the chance comes along. That was so unprofessional on the CSA's part, no surprise there. I accept their results were okay, not bad, even good considering, but that was not a serious way of putting together a national team. Having league and eventually coming up with a national championship tournament would be a great step in establishing a tier of top players a national team coach could count on without just making things up ad hoc. Edit: can I disagree about one thing? Futsal is not "safe" after a certain age. I know it is played a lot by older guys, pick up indoor soccer for the late thirty-something and forty-something set. But all reports I have read here and my personal experience (I blew out my achilles tendon playing futsal in late June 2007) suggest it is in fact quite dangerous for guys who have lost flexibility, put on weight and have lost explosiveness, as there are tight turns, hard marking, no space, need for very fast movements, and the frequency of injury is in fact quite high after the age of 35. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 quote:Originally posted by Jeffrey S. Edit: can I disagree about one thing? Futsal is not "safe" after a certain age. I know it is played a lot by older guys, pick up indoor soccer for the late thirty-something and forty-something set. But all reports I have read here and my personal experience (I blew out my achilles tendon playing futsal in late June 2007) suggest it is in fact quite dangerous for guys who have lost flexibility, put on weight and have lost explosiveness, as there are tight turns, hard marking, no space, need for very fast movements, and the frequency of injury is in fact quite high after the age of 35. Doesn't this apply to almost everything in life after 35....including sex? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jeffery S. Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 quote:Originally posted by Eric Doesn't this apply to almost everything in life after 35....including sex? No. I'll give you an example. I played paintball for the first time this summer near Victoria and all the older guys like me (50 this month!) were better than any of the inexperienced paintballers under 25. The guys around 18 who had never done it were generally terrible. A real eye opener. Experience is worth something, give us that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmcmurph Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 quote:Originally posted by Jeffrey S. Edit: can I disagree about one thing? Futsal is not "safe" after a certain age. I know it is played a lot by older guys, pick up indoor soccer for the late thirty-something and forty-something set. But all reports I have read here and my personal experience (I blew out my achilles tendon playing futsal in late June 2007) suggest it is in fact quite dangerous for guys who have lost flexibility, put on weight and have lost explosiveness, as there are tight turns, hard marking, no space, need for very fast movements, and the frequency of injury is in fact quite high after the age of 35. I am close to Jeffery in age (48) so I can relate certain things. Nothing physical is safe but you have to compare it to other things. Everything is relative. For over 40 players futsal is safer than arena soccer. I don't know how it would stack up against outdoor soccer. Hard surface but no gopher holes, indoors warm vs outdoors where it can be cold, etc. After 40 you must remember the following: 1) It will take a long time to heal. Much longer than in your 20's. What used to take a week to 10 days will now take 2 months (or more). 2) Jog until sweating, stretch slowly and properly. 3) Take it easy! You are not 25 anymore 4) You are doing it to have fun and stay in shape. Find a group that feels the same way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wasup Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 This is great, but why is the price so high for the youth . There is no prize money, also more or less the same as adults. DHSL offer 20 games $325. = =$20 ref fees its a great , sorry the best league . Has been around since 1979 and the price is great , and the reason being , Navia who started the league made this league possible for all spanish ethnic clubs to be able to play and the price has always been very affordable. I understand the price for the adult teams but I dont agree with the price for kids teams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futsal Posted October 2, 2009 Author Share Posted October 2, 2009 Rudi: The Toronto City U Sector guys will be playing in the 2nd division as they want to earn their spo in the 1st division. They will be coached by 2 national players that will elevate their game and you'll see it when they start up USIL. Wasup: I am also a fan of Driftwood. However, every player and club that contacts us say that we are one of the most cost-efficient options on the table. We give them 16 games plus playoffs which is essentially 20 games, each squad gets a futsal ball, fully qualified & certified refs, and we give them a specific clinic with a national team player. Plus they have the ability to play other teams in other regions, participate in official tournaments, among other benefits. Plus our league is all-inclusive meaning you don't have to pay gym or ref fees or any other fees whatsoever every single week. 95% of futsal leagues charge fees every week. The Driftwood league is unsanctioned, the teams have zero recourse with any gripes they may have. The refs as far as I am aware are also uncertified and there is no structure besides putting teams together. No dispect to them as we love what they have done in bringing the sport to the Jane/Finch community, but we are aiming higher than the community level, we're aiming for national acceptance and eventually international respect that Canada can play futsal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jeffery S. Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 quote:Originally posted by tmcmurph I am close to Jeffery in age (48) so I can relate certain things. Nothing physical is safe but you have to compare it to other things. Everything is relative. For over 40 players futsal is safer than arena soccer. I don't know how it would stack up against outdoor soccer. Hard surface but no gopher holes, indoors warm vs outdoors where it can be cold, etc. After 40 you must remember the following: 1) It will take a long time to heal. Much longer than in your 20's. What used to take a week to 10 days will now take 2 months (or more). 2) Jog until sweating, stretch slowly and properly. 3) Take it easy! You are not 25 anymore 4) You are doing it to have fun and stay in shape. Find a group that feels the same way. Of course you can play. I have gone back to playing again, very occasionally. I am also trying to lose weight, have pretty well stopped smoking, and I always stretch a lot. But futsal can be tough on joints, ligaments and bones. I think it is fair for those thinking it is casual pick up and harmless because it is indoor should be aware it has real risks. Here, were the 35 over set plays a lot, doctors tell nightmare stories, just so folks are aware. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earlimus Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 Maybe that's because they all smoke and eat jamon and eggs after the game without really stretching eh Jeffery ^^^^^^^ eh? And don't burden me with a statistical response, I'm just kidding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmcmurph Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 quote:Originally posted by Jeffrey S. Of course you can play. I have gone back to playing again, very occasionally. I am also trying to lose weight, have pretty well stopped smoking, and I always stretch a lot. But futsal can be tough on joints, ligaments and bones. I think it is fair for those thinking it is casual pick up and harmless because it is indoor should be aware it has real risks. Here, were the 35 over set plays a lot, doctors tell nightmare stories, just so folks are aware. How about basketball? I find the jumping and landing very hard on the joints. Doing physical things over the age of 40 requires requires that one accept facts like you can't stop on a dime and do all the jumping and twisting that one did in one's youth. Take it easy regardless of which sport you do. The risks are real and directly proportional to the intensity you play the sports at. Glad to hear you quit smoking! That is a huge help to your health. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jeffery S. Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 quote:Originally posted by tmcmurph How about basketball? I find the jumping and landing very hard on the joints. Doing physical things over the age of 40 requires requires that one accept facts like you can't stop on a dime and do all the jumping and twisting that one did in one's youth. Take it easy regardless of which sport you do. The risks are real and directly proportional to the intensity you play the sports at. Glad to hear you quit smoking! That is a huge help to your health. I had a Cuban cigar today, my third in six months, all I have smoked in the period. I see it as a personal cultural accessory and a vehicle for specialized sociability. So I don't feel bad at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knottyleft Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 quote:Originally posted by wasup This is great, but why is the price so high for the youth . There is no prize money, also more or less the same as adults. DHSL offer 20 games $325. = =$20 ref fees its a great , sorry the best league . Has been around since 1979 and the price is great , and the reason being , Navia who started the league made this league possible for all spanish ethnic clubs to be able to play and the price has always been very affordable. I understand the price for the adult teams but I dont agree with the price for kids teams. In terms of youth level DHSL a league which serves u4 to u14 or 15 i beleve I would say has gone down in quality over the years unfortuneatly most parents/coaches in the league I find to be ultra competitve and tottally go against whats important to these kids which is developing their skills the enviroment has dropped from a "healthy pressure" that once existed here and which gave this league its uniqueness....to a win at all costs attitude I coached two teams in this league over the past two years winning a championship each year with each team but some things I found to not work and reasons why I am pulling my team out include A)it is run very micky mouse...you receive schedules at random times during the week and as parents it is hard for you to work ur weekends around while you sit in limbo waiting for your childs game time it is far to easy to cheat (ie using older players,bringing in players for games unregistered) ive seen so many teams do this and frankly for the league to not try to nip this at all shows what commitment they have to having a top class league for children C) Futsal you are right anytime you have a discrepency its impossible to deal with because rules are made on the fly usually by the one or two Navia's running the league Tons of respect to what Mr. Navia has established in the community of Jane and Finch theyre is immense futsal/soccer talent in this league unfortuneatly it is steered in a pointless direction of trophies and victories when it should be about developing and progress.. you get what you pay for I guess ps Futsal I've emailed you guys to get info towards my U-10 as I am very interested in placing a team...Has anyone had a chance to look into my inquiry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.