This summer, the nation united watching the Lionesses take UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 by storm to become European Champions for the first time.

Inspired by the Lionesses and to build on the legacy of the Women’s Euro, Kent FA is on a mission to encourage more women to participate in futsal. 

What better way to do that than with a friendly summer futsal tournament? Futsal is a different format of football, played indoors and fast-paced.

Hosted at Medway Park on the 30 July, eight teams and over 60 players from across the county laced up their boots and took to the pitches. During the festival, teams of five played on smaller pitches and competed in several games within their groups before heading to the final stages. With a mixture of experienced and newly formed teams, everyone who took part enjoyed the event as it was intended - to have fun, be respectful and encourage others.

There were some great matches at the festival with a varied range of futsal experience; some teams had never played before, whereas many were veterans of the Kent Women’s Futsal league. 

The teams played to win, but there were a lot of smiles and laughter as players found their feet with the faster pace of futsal. The teams were split into two groups, with London Fire Brigade and Faversham Strike Force becoming victorious in their groups.

Catherine Bradley, Kent Futsal Event & League Coordinator, comments, “The festival was fast-paced and competitive with every player and team playing to enjoy it. It was brilliant to see the players learn more about the National Futsal League from Emma Brown, who has played both for the National Futsal League and the National Futsal Deaf England Team. Thank you so much for joining us. I really hope more teams can join the Kent Women’s Futsal League so we can grow the game in Kent and the South East.”

Rebecca Moore, Football Development Officer (Women & Girls), echoes Catherine’s words, “The festival was so much fun, and it was so inspiring to see so many females getting involved in a different format of football, and for some teams, this was their first experience of futsal! Having Emma Brown with us for the occasion made it even more special.”

All the photos from the event can be found on our Facebook photos section.

If you like the sound of futsal and what to know more, please contact Kent FA’s Rebecca Moore at development@kentfa.com