Richmond Strikers, FutsalRVA partner to launch national Futsal tournament

Jefferson Open Futsal RVA: Official Website | Register

(Via Richmond Strikers) – The Richmond Strikers and FutsalRVA have teamed up to launch the Jefferson Open Futsal RVA, a national youth tournament set to debut in December 2015.

As many as 150 teams will compete in the first edition of the event from December 11-13 across venues in the greater Richmond, Virginia area.

Competing boys and girls teams from the U-8 to U-18 age groups will play at least three games each over the course of the weekend, and many will play four as they advance through the group stages and elimination rounds.

Futsal, which originated in Brazil in 1930, remains one of the fastest-growing skill building activities for soccer players around the world. It is a 5v5 small-sided game played on a hard surfaced, basketball sized court with a smaller, heavier low bounce ball. It is played with touchline boundaries and without walls.

FutsalRVA is one of the sport’s premier academies in the United States, having placed seven players on U.S. Youth Futsal National Teams.

“Were very happy to be partnering with an organization that has the experience of FutsalRVA, which runs a high quality and extremely successful program along with their regional events,” said Richmond Strikers Tournament Director John Faircloth.

Around 10-12 FutsalRVA teams will be competing in the first ever Jefferson Open Futsal RVA, providing a foundation of top teams for the event which aims to provide a range of levels from the most competitive in the country to the casual or recreational player.

“This will be a top class event and we are excited to host some wonderful teams from all around the country as well as our current National Champions,” said FutsalRVA Tournament Director Joe Farrell. “For attending teams from Richmond and beyond, we’re going to have high-level facilities and high-level competition. We want everybody to have a amazing time experiencing the thrill of playing Futsal.”

Paired with the prestige of the Richmond Strikers Tournament series brand, tournament organizers are aiming to build the new event into a national destination in coming years.

“The Richmond Strikers Tournament series is a nationally-known soccer tournament series with a great brand and reputation, so bringing it to the Futsal level is an exciting step,” said FutsalRVA President Greg Simmonds. “With Futsal academies continuing to pop up all over the country, we’re excited for the opportunity to show everyone from Richmond and the surrounding states how exciting futsal is developmentally.”

For the Jefferson Open Futsal RVA tournament, up to 12 players are permitted on each team, with the oldest child determining the age level. All games will be played at Randolph Macon College, U-TURN Sports Performance Academy and St. Christopher’s School.

Preliminary Games are on Friday and Saturday and Playoff and Consolation Games are on Sunday. Games will be 40 minutes long for U8-U12 and 48 minutes long for U13-U18.