Released: 08.03.10

Futsal is a variation of association football that is played on a smaller playing surface and mainly played indoors. Its name is derived from the Portuguese futebol de salão and the Spanish fútbol de salón or "hall football." Futsal is played between two teams of five players, one of whom is the goalkeeper, and up to seven substitutes per team. Unlike some other forms of indoor football, the game is played on a hard court surface delimited by lines; walls or boards are not used. Futsal is also played with a smaller ball with less bounce than a regulation football. The rules create an emphasis on improvisation, creativity and technique as well as ball control and passing in small spaces.

The UCP Marjon Sports Federation Futsal Club was set up this year, and formed part of a football development initiative which also saw UCP Marjon achieve British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Football Focus University status and the community based Plymouth Marjon Football Club being established. 

The UCP Marjon Futsal Club has been student led and their achievement of reaching the National BUCS Championships Finals is even more impressive given that this is the first time they have entered a tournament. After winning against Glamorgan, Bristol and Bournemouth UCP Marjon now face the National Finals being held in Sheffield between the 10th and 12th March. Sixteen other Universities have made it to the finals but UCP Marjon hope to beat off all the competition to win and bring the trophy home.

The UCP Marjon Sports Federation exists to support student sport for all students at UCP Marjon. All students are encouraged to get involved in sport, at a level that suits them be that competing on a Wednesday afternoon in BUCS competition or by getting involved with the administration of a student club, volunteering or coaching. The Sports Federation supports a wide range of sports from Badminton to Volleyball. The UCP Marjon Sports Federation are delighted to have been able to support the Futsal Club to compete in the regional events and national championships.

For more information on the UCP Marjon Sports Federation and opportunities to get involved in student sport at UCP Marjon please contact Kathryn Kearney, Student Sport Officer. Alternatively checkout the website for more information on student sport (including Academies of Sport and Talented Athlete Programme Academy), Plymouth Marjon Sports Clubs, sport related courses and other sport development initiatives at UCP Marjon
www.ucpmarjon.ac.uk/ucpmarjonsport