THE ACADEMY WEEK AHEAD
Our coaches are on a well deserved break. All activities are off this week and will resume on Sunday 10th of August 2025.
I am currently in Brazil where I have been watching futsal, football and beach soccer training sessions to help develop myself as a coach, and to deliver my experiences to our coaches and players on my return. All of the sessions I have witnessed so far are game related, opposed (with an opponent), intense with a focus on hard work, and are very similar to what we deliver at Futsal Escocia. It is always reassuring to see that some of the top coaches and acadmies in the world are using similar training methods.
TESTING RESULTS
Eck was out testing our players across all sessions last week and parents should all have an email with the testing results. Please note that Eck uses the emails that are on the ClassForKids system, if they are wrong, parents will have to update them.
The results record the players height and weight. 5m sprint, 20m sprint, 10m change of direction (R&L) and standing long jumps are also recorded. What are the benefits of these tests?
Height and Weight: Monitors growth and tracks physical development over a period of time. The results impact performance and provide us with information on how to tier our sessions and teams.
5m sprint: This measures explosive speed from a standstill. This is important in futsal where short bursts are frequent.
20m sprint: Tests top end speed and acceleration mechanics over a longer distance. 20m sprints are vital for transtional moments in defence and attack in futsal.
10m Change of Direction: This tests acceleration, how effectively they decelerate, change of direction and turning on different feet, and acceleration again.
Standing Long Jump: These indicate explosive leg strength and correlate with sprint speed. Stronger jumpers usually accelerate better.
Understanding the results: If it is the first time tested, results will just show a dot as a starting point. After multiple tests, it will show a difference in results. For speed tests we would hope to see quicker times (line going downwards) and further distances in the long jump (line going upwards). we'd also expect to see growth and weight increases. During periods of rapid growth players experience coordination challenges, reduced speed or agility (temporarily), and the risk of injury increases. This may result in a dip in performance levels which can also lead to confidence issues. We can help players and parents with this.
Use of the Results: At Futsal Escocia, we do not believe in tiering players based on age group alone. Players are placed in an environment that takes into consideration more than their age. Whilst tiering our sessions and sometimes groups within sessions, we take into consideration the players biological age, their level of playing ability, maturity/ability to take on information, and level of experience. This has been extremely successful for us and is completely different from tiering at football clubs.
It is important to recognise that every child is different and is on their own journey. Parents shouldn't be comparing their child with others as they all develop at different speeds. Some are early developers whilst others are later. It does not determine whether your child will be sucessful or not.
For us, the main points are that the child is placed in an environment where they can learn, grow and develop. At times, this might require players to try the next level if the child feels comfortable doing so. We want players to be challenged and placed outside of their comfort zone, but we also have to be careful that we don't place them in an environment that has an adverse affect on their development.
SUCCESS STORIES
Alfie Hutchison received international clearance and officially signed for Newcastle United after a big money move from Rangers. Alfie is the perfect example for our younger players. He started out at Cairneyhill Atheltic before moving on to East End Boys. He wasn't in a pro environment until later than others, and he was deemed to be not good enough by certain members at Fife Elite/Dunfermline Athletic (something they will be regretting now). From then, he has went from strength to strength at Hearts before a year at Rangers. He has also represnted Scotland at youth levels.
Alfie was doing 2 or more futsal sessions a week as well as matches on a Sunday night. Due to his physical development and level of playing ability, we placed him in with our 2005s and 2006s, 3 and 4 years above his age group (2009). This is a great example of the use of testing results to aid plaer development. The changes helped Alfie prepare for playing with and against older players, which he has also done in a football environment for a few years now.
Go and chase that dream and fulfil your ambitions Alfie. We are all behind you!!
Read Alfie's Q&A here:
https://futsalescocia.co.uk/alfie-hutchison-qa/
STREET FEET CAMPS
The inflatable pitches are being used at all the top football academies across Europe to provide a street football type environment for players to develop greater technical skills, to encourage creativity, and to be more 1v1 dominant. No other academies offer this in Scotland and we are way ahead of the curve in this area, just as we were with futsal.
Tuesday 19th August 2025: Str33t Feet Camp/Festival (5 - 13yrs) at Michael Woods Arena, Glenrothes | Futsal Escocia | Powered by ClassForKids
Friday 14th November 2025: Str33t Feet Camp/Festival (5 - 13yrs) at Michael Woods Arena, Glenrothes | Futsal Escocia | Powered by ClassForKids
We will also be running a Street Feet Christmas Cup at different age groups at the Michael Woods Arena between Christmas and New Year. Who will be our 3v3 chanpions?! Look out for further information on this soon!!!
TEAMS UPDATE
3v3's are on as normal from Sunday 10th August. Please update the TeamFeePay app with regards to availability.
Emails have also been sent out re the Funchal Cup in Madeira 2026. If you are interested in attending, please complete the Google Form that is included within the email. We will be making a decision on this and tiering team sessions slightly differently on a Friday soon. The changes link into age groups for international events in 2026.
We have have half day team camps at DLC between the 11th and 15th of August.
2014-17's - 0900-1130
https://futsal-escocia.classforkids.io/camp/73
2010-13's - 1230-1500
https://futsal-escocia.classforkids.io/camp/74
WHAT'S NEW?
Futsal Niños
Futsal Niños is for 4-6 year olds and it is the perfect place to start your futsal/football journey.
I am delighted to announce that we will be launching a new session between 5-6pm on a Friday at Kirkcaldy Leisure Centre from the start of September. You will be able to book this from the start of August.
We have a great wee group emerging at Inverkeithing and we still have limited number of spaces available in this session. You can register your child here:
https://futsal-escocia.classforkids.io/info/629
Winter Leagues 2025/26
We will be promoting our Winter Leagues very soon. Leagues will be at the following age groups:
We will also try to run girls only leagues if there is enough interest. A few teams have already contacted us.
The leagues take place between the start of November and the end of February.
Barcelona Tour 2026
You can book our Barcelona 2026 Easter Tour now:
https://futsal-escocia.classforkids.io/camp/72
We will be placing a closing date on this very soon!!
Kits
We have new backpacks, t-shirts and hoodies available to order.You can order them or any other kit here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScf2VNkJdoW8mFYbxjmPtLpAiLOYgzYWi9qoLTttwS_zqA63A/viewform
Gift Certificates
If you, a friend, or a relative is stuck for birthday, Christmas or gift ideas, why not purchase a Futsal Escocia gift voucher. They can be used at camps or to purchase kit. Just contact me if you'd like one.
