Athletico Buckshaw Futsal Club kids are county champions

Athletico Buckshaw Futsal Club are based in Chorley and have been running for more than two years in February.

Futsal is one of the fastest growing indoor sports in the world and is a variation of football played on a hard court with a heavier ball.

It places a large emphasis on individual and technical skills and ability in high-pressure situations.

It also puts the players under constant pressure, demanding quick-thinking reactions.

Their Under-10s team competed against other teams from around Lancashire in the FA National Youth Futsal Cup, including Pirates, FY Wizards and Bolton, and were crowned county champions.

They also competed in the regional stage of the competition earlier this month at Platt Lane Complex in Manchester.

Athletico Buckshaw chairman Rhenden Pillay was proud of the efforts of his side.

He said: “The team was formed just under 12 months ago. The players are from the surrounding areas of Chorley and Leyland.

“The club now has 100 kids playing futsal and we have a vision of having 500 kids playing the sport at our own venue. The players did so well and showed they are progressing in the sport and they will hopefully have a couple of years playing at Under-12s level too.”

Ian Mackie from the Lancashire FA presented medals and a trophy to the players.

He said: “To have a dedicated futsal club in the area is great and it shows that footballers can develop using futsal.

“This team has done so well and next year they will be playing Under-12s and Under-16s levels and there are going to opportunities to play futsal right up to adulthood.

“The thing I like about Athletico is the image and the brand, and the kids have kits, tracksuits and feel part of a team. Developing futsal is on the FA strategy and now venues are being constructed for the future.”

To find out more about Athletico Buckshaw, visit the website www.athleticobuckshawfc.co.uk.