Sunday marked a return to a full three-hour coaching block, and with the weather outside once again doing its best to disrupt plans, unsettled skies and dropping temperatures, the warmth and shelter of the indoor court was more than welcome. Even more welcome, though, was the outstanding commitment shown by the academy girls throughout the session.

The focus was a high-intensity drill we’ve used before: a 3v3 game on a reduced-size court, with extra teammates positioned behind the goal being attacked. Any player who lost possession or played the ball out had to sprint off, high-five a teammate behind the goal, and swap places, creating a temporary 3v2 overload.

The constant movement and quick changes made the game fast and occasionally frantic, but it brought out some excellent play. We saw smart use of the overloads, strong reactions after mistakes, and, best of all, huge effort levels and plenty of smiles from everyone involved.

First Hour – Beatrix P – She was the toe-poke queen today, scoring goal after goal after goal! Not only that, she controlled the ball brilliantly with the sole of her foot almost every time. Bea has improved so much this year, and all the coaches are impressed. Amazing, Bea 👏🔥

Second Hour – Scarlett M – Scarlett is one of our new players this season, and she’s taken a little time to settle in, but today we saw just how good a player she’s going to be. Her determination to win the ball was fantastic, and she even grabbed a few goals too. The future looks bright. Welcome, Scarlett 👏✨

Third Hour – Amy S – We honestly don’t think Amy knows how good she is! Her movement and passing today were absolutely spot on, and she’s a player who isn’t afraid to let her teammates know where she is on the court. Top job, Amy 👏 Ladies Team next season perhaps?

This week, we saw a senior player leave the club to focus on her football journey. At first, I won’t lie, it hurt. I felt angry, let down, even betrayed. When she wasn’t getting game time at her football club, we supported her fully. She became a huge part of our team, grew in confidence, and even earned a place in the England Development squad. But football moves quickly. A change of manager and a promotion to the first team altered her priorities, and her commitment to us gradually slipped away.

It made me stop and think about where futsal really sits in the minds of most players. We are incredibly fortunate to have several women in the squad who play futsal exclusively, players who have fully committed to the game and who support the club and team in every way they can. But for the majority, especially younger players, futsal is played alongside football… and too often, it comes second.

Is that because of how futsal is portrayed? Coaches and media frequently sell it as a tool to improve football, a development pathway rather than a destination. Those who have played futsal at a high level know that simply isn’t true. The techniques are different. The tactics are different. The demands, the tempo, the mindset — it’s a completely different game in its own right.

Sometimes it feels like we’re fighting an uphill battle. As a coach and club owner, it’s something that’s always on my mind. But we keep going. We keep believing in the game, in our players, and in what we’re building. Onwards and upwards. Stay safe, everyone.