Portland Youth Futsal League

Registration is now open for the 2023/24 Portland Youth Futsal League with the season starting in early January.

This program is run by Portland Recreation, PAYSA, and Maine Lightning to give an affordable option and a great spot to learn additional skills in the Winter. Spots are limited, and are capped at 170 total. The last two years have filled up so please register now. The program runs January 7th-March 10th and includes one hour of foot skills practice and (1) one hour game per week. The cost to register is $160 for the eight week program. This is for ages 5-14 years old. This year, we anticipate 6 teams per age group, 8-10 players per team.

Weekly foot skills clinics take place at Amanda C. Rowe School and Talbot Community School. 

  • January 7, 2023 thru March 10, 2024
  • Available to kids ages 5-14
  • Two days per week
    • Wednesday, 1-hour foot skills clinics coached by local professional coaches at Talbot Community School & Rowe Elementary School.  5-8pm sessions based on age groups. 
    • Sunday, competitive futsal games between 9am-4pm based on division.
    • We need volunteer parent coaches
  • Program fee is $160 (T-shirt given to all participants).  Price includes 12 weeks of Footskills and 12 Weeks of Scrimmage and Game Play

 

What is Futsal?
Futsal is form of small-sided indoor soccer (the word is a contraction of the Spanish ‘fútbol sala’). It is played on a court and between two teams who each have five players on the pitch at any one time, rolling substitutions, and a smaller ball that is harder and less bouncy than a standard soccer ball. Futsal is faster than soccer, and is played in a tighter space. Futsal helps players make quick decisions, build confidence on the ball, and promotes creativity.

Why is futsal beneficial to players?

  • Teaches how to play in tighter spaces
  • Helps players make quick decisions
  • Helps build confidence on the ball
  • Teaches players to make constant runs to space and to make rotations
  • Translates to soccer especially in the middle and attacking 3rd
  • Helps players learn how to play one-touch
  • Maximizes touches on the ball. This helps develop first touch
  • Promotes creativity
  • Helps players become a difference-maker on the field