UEFA.com works better on other browsers
For the best possible experience, we recommend using Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge.

Blind futsal boost in England

Blind futsal seminars in England, staged with UEFA funding, were a resounding success earlier this month.

Blind futsal seminars in England, staged with UEFA funding, were a resounding success earlier this month.

Development project
The seminars were held as part of the IBSA (International Blind Sport Federation) Futsal Development Project Europe, which was awarded UEFA's CHF1m (€650,000) charity cheque in 2006 for a three-year blind futsal development programme. The seminars were hosted by the English Football Association at the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford.

Standard schedule
Four countries took part in the seminars – England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland – and Scotland will attend future courses. The seminars followed a standard schedule for such events: arrival, followed by an overview of IBSA and the project; theoretical classes for coaches and referees in the afternoon and evening; then practical sessions on day two and departure on day three.

National-team players
Eight blind players from the Great Britain squad were in attendance for the practical sessions. This enabled the participants to observe how to work with, and coach, blind players in the morning. In the afternoon, two full training matches were scheduled, so coaches could see the game first hand and referees had the opportunity to officiate a match under the supervision of an experienced international IBSA referee.

European seminars
Three more seminars are planned for this year, in Germany, Russia and Turkey, while Croatia is expected to stage a seminar for countries from the Balkan region in the first quarter of 2009. For more information on the IBSA Futsal Development Project Europe, contact ibsa@ibsa.es.