By Sam Cortes, Communications Coordinator
Futsal will be making its Manitoba Games debut on the courts in Niverville next year!
We spoke with Andrew Kliment, Grassroots Manager for the Manitoba Soccer Association, about the game of futsal, what the next year looks like as they prepare for the 2022 Manitoba Winter Games, and how athletes can get involved.
A Fast-Paced Game
While a brand-new sport to the event, athletes in Manitoba have been playing futsal for many years.
“It’s a fast-paced game and there’s a lot of playing time. It gets quite competitive as well. I know these players have been training inside their member organizations or clubs, so it’s nothing new to them, but it’s great that these players can now have something to look forward to every four years and to make a competition out of it,” said Andrew.
While some say it might look similar to soccer, Andrew said it’s very much its own game. For example, futsal is played on an indoor court and uses a low bounce ball, demanding lots of technical skill.
“Futsal is futsal and soccer is soccer,” said Andrew. “Because the playing surface is a lot smaller, you’re kind of forced to make quicker decisions as players are constantly already on you, you don’t have that big space as you do in an 11 v 11 game.”
The Manitoba Games Futsal Program
The MSA is eager to have the futsal program take off. Each region will have a female and male team, with the exception of Winnipeg, which will have two female teams and two male teams.
“It is the first time that there’s been a provincial-wide competition like this, so it’s very exciting for the players, coaches and officials all to be at one event to enjoy this experience.”
Andrew said it’s a big deal bringing futsal into the program and hopes that this is an opportunity to grow the game in our province and across Canada.
“I just hope that, starting [at] these Games, that it’ll still build the game and the love of soccer and futsal in the province. Hopefully this will bring awareness to more people and show people more benefits [of the game] and this can become even a bigger thing than just every four years,” said Andrew.
“It’s a great step. I know a lot of province’s are doing this as well. It’s something to look forward to in the upcoming years.”
Preparation Over the Next Year
There is a lot that goes into preparing and planning for Manitoba’s largest ongoing multi-sport event.
Right now, the MSA has some set dates ahead, which are flexible and dependent on current public health restrictions and recommendations.
“We’ll personally be going out to the regions, we’ll be supporting them in any way to get them prepared for the Games so that we can make sure that it’s the most enjoyable experience for everyone,” said Andrew.
“We do have plans in place to make sure that we are ready for it when it comes. We are working together with Sport Manitoba very closely to make sure that we are hitting our deadlines, making sure the right documents are in the place, the equipment and the uniforms are ordered. And we will be working with the coaches closely as well after we select them.”
Andrew said he’s already had a couple people reach out who are interested in the program who have little experience, which he said is totally fine.
“It’s a learning experience for everyone and our job as the PSO is to make sure that everyone is fully prepared. Not only the players, but the coaches as well.”
Get Involved
Athletes looking to compete in futsal at the Manitoba Games next year must be a registered soccer player with the MSA.
Along with their website, the MSA will be sharing a lot of important info on their Instagram and Twitter, such as coach applications and upcoming ID festivals.
To learn more about the 2022 Manitoba Games, including about the Host Society of Niverville, check out Sport Manitoba’s website.
