Futsal is the fast-paced, quick-skilled indoor football (soccer for us Aussies) game that is hugely popular with football enthusiasts during the outdoor offseason. If your kids are keen to keep the round ball moving as the warmer months arrive then you may be interested in our information below on all things Futsal – what it is, why kids love it and where they can be a part of Futsal competitions in Brisbane.
What is Futsal?
You have probably heard about Futsal and the indoor soccer craze but may not quite know how it differs from the classic outdoor soccer game. Played predominantly in the soccer offseason, Futsal is an association football-based game played on a hard court smaller than a football pitch, and mainly indoors.
The name Futsal comes from the Spanish fútbol sala or fútbol de salón and from the Portuguese futebol de salão. The term is commonly translated as “indoor football” but a more literal translation is “hall/lounge football”.
How is Futsal different to Soccer?
There is a reason why so many soccer players switch to Futsal when their play season finishes each year. The two games require a lot of the same skillset and it is an easy transition for any child who loves their football.
Futsal is a 5-a-side indoor football game played at club and international level on a basketball-sized court. Whilst it may appear similar to football, there are a number of distinct differences. So what are the differences between the two games?
For starters, soccer is a predominantly outdoors game and the field size you play on is a lot larger. Futsal courts are usually indoors and the size of a basketball court. The indoor, often netted, courts make for a much faster paced, intense game which usually results is a lot more goals being scored (which kids LOVE).
The two games also have other differences. Soccer has seven to eleven players on the field (depending on the age) whilst Futsal is played with five. In soccer, three substitutions are allowed for each game whereas in Futsal there is unlimited substitutions allowed. There are a lot of other differences – such as tactics, positioning etc too, but as the main play is similar it is common to see kids switching happily between the two.
Places to Play Futsal in Brisbane
If this sounds like something your child would be interested in playing then you may want to look into one of the local futsal leagues and competitions listed here.
Brisbane Central Futsal
Brisbane Central Futsal Junior’s Competitions are run every year from October to December, at three great venues in Camp Hill and West End. This great competition is designed for both genders; girls will be given the option of playing one age group below. The Brisbane Central Futsal Junior League season has a format of 10 rounds, 20 games in total (including finals), where each team will play each other team twice in the one season. The top four teams will play off in the semi-finals with the winners of each advancing to the Grand Final. The winners of the Grand Final will be crowned Champions for the year.
Website: Brisbane Central Futsal
Locations: West End, South Brisbane, Camp Hill, Yeronga
Contact Number: 0417 755 917
Brisbane Magic Futsal
Brisbane Magic Futsal play games at the State Hockey Centre on the southside of Brisbane, at Colmslie. A state of the art facility, their season runs from Oct-Mar, with 8 teams in every age group from under 8-15, Youth(16-18), Open Men’s, Open Women’s. You can register with a team online or you can sign up as a single player and they will place you in a team for the season.
Website: Brisbane Magic Futsal
Location: State Hockey Centre, Colmslie
Contact Number: 0404 879 206
Australian Futsal Association
Whether you are just starting your Futsal journey, playing for fun or making strides towards becoming an elite player, the Australian Futsal Association prides itself on having a program for you. Whether this is through the schools program, a club team or just personal player development, AFA offers a range of pathways and Futsal competitions for eager players. You can find out more information on their website as well as locate a club near you.
Website: Australian Futsal Association
Locations: West End, South Brisbane, Camp Hill, Yeronga
Contact Number: 0417 755 917
Football Queensland Futsal
This is a comprehensive list of Futsal Clubs in and around Brisbane and Queensland that you can join and play with.
Website: Football Queensland Futsal
Contact Number: (07) 3208 2677
Super Futsal
Super Futsal are based out of two locations in Brisbane, Acacia Ridge (where their HQ is) and Carina. They offer Futsal competitions all year around and tailor make leagues to fit within football season and training’s. Bring your team, academy or club, and enjoy the benefits of Futsal! Their junior social programs consist of 30 minutes training with a pro coach, followed by 30 minutes fixture game, combining the benefits of high quality training with real game scenarios. They also have junior summer leagues with weekly competitions.
Website: Super Futsal
Locations: Carina and Acacia Ridge
Contact Number: 0488 885 192 (Acacia Ridge) | 0480 047 759 (Carina)
Chandler Eagles Futsal
Chandler Eagles offer kids an array of different Futsal experiences, all based at the world class Anna Meares Velodrome Futsal Courts. They have introduction and training programs for kids aged 6 – 14, junior leagues that cater for all ages from 8-14 years, and a four week 2 Up junior league consisting of a two game per night format, at 30 minutes per game. This league is suitable for all levels of experience. They have a range of tournaments you can register to enter from ages 8 and over.
Website: Chandler Eagles Futsal
Locations: Anna Meares Velodrome – Futsal Courts in Chandler
Contact Number: 0417 755 917
Soccer de Brazil Academy
At SDB Academy, they will provide you with the opportunity to train in both Futsal and Football. As you train in both conditions, you see the impact Futsal will have on your outdoor game, boosting your skills and performance when playing for your outdoor Club. Their Mansfield-based program is designed for kids aged 6 – 16 and provides professional coaching to juniors, including preschool soccer training.
Website: Soccer de Brazil Academy
Location: Mansfield
Contact Number: 0452 479 409
For more information on a range of Brisbane sports options, check out our kids sports clubs in Brisbane and kids sports classes pages on our Brisbane Kids website.
Join the conversation