By Parker Mckenzie and Mikayla Van Loon
Pro Futsal Mount Evelyn will be launching a new competition for school children, with free “come and play” sessions available for first-time participants.
Centre manager Terval Atanasov said with the State Government now recognising futsal as its own sport instead of a variant of football, he wants children to come and give the game a go.
“Hopefully, we can teach the kids a little bit and then have that as a pathway for them to either just come and enjoy futsal at a community level, or if they want to sort of take it a bit further revisiting that player development,” he said.
“They can come back on a Monday night while we run a junior competition. We have 10 or so clubs that come and play here who train once a week, play games on a Monday, and it’s just the next step up.”
The new player sessions run from 4.30pm to 5.30pm on a Friday, where they can practice skills and participate in fun-filled coaching sessions.
Through their affiliation with Football Victoria, Pro Futsal Mount Evelyn has been running school programs as well.
Mr Atanasov said futsal can be included as a part of school PE programs and schools are welcome to reach out to them for sessions and coaching.
“We have the ability to run school programs and to facilitate tournaments here for all the local schools,” he said.
“We’re happy to go and be part of those coaching programs whether it’s here or in the schools.”
The centre currently has 32 junior teams competing on a Monday night, with older teens playing in social competitions throughout the week.
Mr Atanasov said there are benefits for both players and parents in playing futsal compared to other sports.
“It’s usually the same time every week. It’s inside so the weather doesn’t matter,” he said.
“It’s nice inside the centre and parents can get a coffee while your kids play.”
Pro Futsal Mt Evelyn runs an over 35s competition on a Wednesday night, which Mr Atanasov said “has been a bit of a hit.”
“It’s not as competitive as all the rest of it. Its people that just want to get out do it for fitness, do it for fun and for the social aspect,” he said.
“We find a lot of parents on the nights that their kids’ play would like to participate, they’re here already.”
Pro Futsal Mount Evelyn is located at 19-23 Hereford Road, Mt Evelyn.
