EAST BAY FUTSAL LEAGUE

OAKLAND - ALAMEDA FUTSAL

WINTER LEAGUE 2010

September 10, 2009 The Oakland/Alameda Futsal League is currently making preparations for the commencement of our seventh season. During the first ten seasons, over 10,000 local youths participated. Futsal, the official indoor sport of FIFA (soccer’s governing body), is an exciting, fast-paced game that will improve a player’s passing, shooting, dribbling, defending, and overall team skills. People are always amazed at the great ball-handling displayed by top South American players, and often wonder where they learned it! The answer is simple – they played Futsal growing up. 

While Futsal was once South America’s best-kept secret, it is now a widespread international sport, with over 120 countries participating worldwide. The sport has already had six FIFA World Championships. Futsal will be part of the Pan American Olympic Games in 2008. It is rapidly growing within the United States where some 46 states are affiliated with the U.S. Futsal. In California there is a thriving Futsal population lead by the California State Futsal Association. The larger leagues are situated in San Francisco, East Bay, Petaluma, Cotati, Rohnert Park, San Jose, Marin and more. 

Futsal works hand-in-hand with the outdoor game by helping to develop and polish a player’s individual and team skills. The off-the-wall variety works in reverse and actually breaks down a player’s skill level. Played with a special low-bounce ball, Futsal necessitates players using their skills, rather than the ball’s bounce, to propel it. In traveling around the country conducting clinics and preaching the virtues of the sport, I am constantly amazed at the coaches’ reactions. They all agree that after a winter of playing Futsal, the individual and team skills of their players have vastly improved. It is a great game for those what want to improve upon their abilities, and helps recreational and competitive players alike. 

I have often listened to many National Team Coaches, including the former Men’s National Team Coaches, explain how important 4v4 training is for the overall skill development of our youth. Futsal is exactly that--4v4 plus a goalkeeper. 

The Oakland/Alameda Futsal Fall League commences the weekend of November 21st, 2009 and runs through the end of January, while the Futsal Winter League commences on January 9th, and runs through March 7th. The games will be held at various facilities, but primarily at the former Alameda Naval Station Gymnasium on Saturdays or Sundays. The program is offered to U-8, U-10, U-12, U-14, U-16, and U-19 (boy’s and girl’s) teams. There are two categories: Competitive and Recreational. The cost will be $85/player. A team must have at least 8 paid players, but a team that registers between 10 and 12 players will only be charged $850/team. The cost includes league registration fees, medical insurance, on-line registration, and affiliation with California Futsal Association and U.S. Futsal. Please mail check to: 

Oakland Alameda Futsal

6114 La Salle Avenue, #502

Oakland, California 94611

Pay by credit card by calling 510-524-5353

Since the league is affiliated with the California Futsal Association, State and League personnel will conduct a coaching and referee clinic for all participating teams. The top teams in the U-10, U-12, U-14, U-16, and U-19 categories will also be eligible to take part in the State Futsal Championship, which will be held in Anaheim. 

This season, as an added benefit, select teams will participate in inter-league matches with teams from Marin Futsal League. This should prove to be very exciting, as our top teams will be matched against the best Marin has to offer.

If you are interested in becoming part of the future by joining the Oakland/Alameda Futsal League, please call 510.524.5353 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it The deadline for registering is November 1st for the Fall Season and December 9, 2009 for the Winter Season.

Please register your team online! To do so, go to http://www.futsal.org/index.php/us-futsalr-registration . First register as a coach and when you get your ID number you can then create your team, once you have created your team select player and start adding players to your team.  Please select California-North as the State Association, Oakland Alameda Futsal as the League. Call me at 510.524.5353 if you have any questions. Individual players can register as at-large players, but they still must select California-North as the State Association and Oakland Alameda Futsal as the League so that the player gets put into the correct “pool” of players for the league. 

Please submit your registration form as soon as possible to ensure a spot for your team. Thank you and we look forward to your participation.                                                                                    

Sincerely,                                                                                    

Alex Para                                                                                                      

Oakland / Alameda Futsal League