The weather outside was wet, cold, and pretty miserable today, but the girls’ unbelievable futsal kept us all warmed up and smiling. With the U14s continuing their league campaign in Hull, we once again dropped down to two hours, well, more like three with the way the girls just didn’t want to stop.

Today’s session was all about pivot play, getting the highest player on the court involved to create tasty goal-scoring chances. At each end we set up an end zone. To score, players had to receive the ball and keep it for 3 seconds. If they hadn’t received the ball after being in the end zone for 3 seconds, they had to leave to make way for a teammate.

At first everyone was a bit unsure, but soon we were seeing loads of clever rotation, solid strength on the ball, and some really slick passing and movement. The girls were buzzing and working brilliantly together.

Another fantastic and fun-filled session for the Bootham girls.

First Hour – Iris W – She may be one of the smallest in the group, but she has a huge heart. She is finding more confidence each and every week and is always happy to answer questions, often with some really good answers. Today on court she worked her socks off, up and down the court, and took up some fantastic positions, with a couple of goals as well. Top job, Iris!

Second Hour – Agnes C – She is one of our newest players, but today her passing was top notch. She is starting to understand the game and looked every inch the top player we know she can be. There is still lots to learn, but the coaches are really liking what they are seeing. A great start to your futsal journey, Agnes!

The first ever FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup marks a truly historic milestone in the development of the sport. After years of rapid growth, rising participation and increasing global recognition, women’s futsal is finally stepping onto a world stage of its own.

Teams from every confederation will arrive with their own identity, tactics and flair, creating a showcase of the very best futsal has to offer. The quick passing, sharp movement and breathtaking close control that define top-level futsal will be on full display. For many of the players involved, this will be the crowning moment of their careers, one that previous generations could only dream of.

The significance of the tournament stretches far beyond the matches themselves. The creation of a Women’s Futsal World Cup signals a major step forward for equality and investment in the sport. It acknowledges the depth of talent that has been building for years and provides a global platform that will inspire girls and young women everywhere to take up futsal. It also opens new pathways for development and strengthens the sport at every level.

This moment is especially exciting for our own players, with four already involved in the England pathway. The emergence of a world tournament gives them something huge to aim for, a future stage where their hard work, commitment and talent could one day be showcased.

As excitement builds around the world, the first FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup is set to become a defining moment. It represents not only a celebration of elite talent but also the beginning of a bright new chapter for women’s futsal.