After experiencing a rapid rate of development in recent years, futsal in this country has massive potential. And that future is now looking even brighter with those responsible for running the exciting small-sided sport having gathered to share their ideas on best practice and plan for even further growth.

The annual NZF Futsal Development National Conference was held this week in Palmerston North and brought together 16 representatives from all seven member federations of New Zealand Football. Each help to develop futsal in their respective regions and now have more tools to do so after expanding their skillset at the conference, which was focused on performance and innovation.

“These individuals are the key influencers as to why futsal continues to be the fastest-growing sport in New Zealand,” says Josh Margetts, Futsal Development Manager for New Zealand Football.

“It is extremely important to try to provide this group with the means to achieve their full potential. Sharing innovative ideas, operational plans and event templates were key to getting the most out of these two days.”

The participants also got the chance to learn from some of the best in the business with a trio of highly-regarded keynote speakers passing on their knowledge. Trevor Shailer (CEO of Sport Manawatu), George Jahnke (Coach Development Manager for Touch NZ) and Paul Toohey (Futsal and Beach Soccer Development Officer for the Oceania Football Confederation) were all on hand to add a high level of outside expertise and insight into areas related to futsal development.

"The success of events like this also heavily relies on the wider support of NZF staff such as Steven Dillon, Kerry Greene and Keegan McCauley, who were able to pull a range of things together to help provide an excellent adult learning environment for working professionals in sport," Margetts says.

Hayley Stirling, Futsal Development Officer for the Northern Football Federation (NFF), was among those in attendance and found the experience invaluable.

"I really enjoyed the conference, Josh did a fantastic job in facilitating the federation sharing and initiatives that are going on around the country – as the newbie coming into the group I felt really comfortable in being able to share what NFF has been doing," she says.

"Steven Dillon also contributed positively to the experience and there was a real feeling that the group tasks we completed will shape futsal going forward. It was also a great opportunity to see where the gaps are at NFF and how we can best address them." 

The Futsal Development National Conference is part of New Zealand Football’s wider goal of making futsal the nation’s best and biggest small-sided sport, as well as establishing this country as possessing one of the world’s leading futsal development systems.

The sport has already experienced staggering growth since being brought under the umbrella of New Zealand Football in 2010 with participation rates rising 385 per cent in that time. There are now over 24,000 registered players with more than 36,000 participants engaged with the federation-led schools and community programmes.

To support this rapidly-growing base of participants, it’s therefore vital the infrastructure and delivery of the sport keeps pace and Margetts is confident the national conference will play a key role in this.

“This event will pave the way for key initiatives moving forward for the remainder of 2018 and beyond as New Zealand Football strives for continual growth, quality and retention of futsal players throughout the country,” he says.

Article added: Friday 20 July 2018