US Youth Futsal DA

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY

ACADEMY TO RETURN TO USYF NATIONAL DA IN 2021-22 AS VIRGINIA FAUSYF DA MEMBER ETA UNITED EARNS THIRD STRAIGHT REGIONAL TITLE
FutsalETA 05 Boys Follow Up Back to Back Titles for 04 Girls in Richmond Regionals

January 20, 2019 - Richmond, VA;  As the club systems across the US embrace futsal as a key to player development, FutsalETA continues to make it's mark in the region with it's third straight regional championship and will head to Kansas City for the USYF Nationals February 15-18.  FutsalETA 05 boys knocked off defending champion FutsalRVA in the finals as well as Richmond United Development Academy teams to make it to the title match and punch their ticket to Kansas City. As one of 18 inaugural clubs in the country, FutsalETA was honored to be selected as a US Youth Futsal Development Academy member in 2018 and will continue to build on its success and expand its offerings to develop players, enhance the soccer culture and ultimately grow the game. 

The 05 boys have been a member of ETA's development system since competing in USL's Super Y League program in 2014, it's winter and summer Futsal academies and supplemental training with FutsalETA's Technical Director Mo Kanneh.  "FutsalETA is the game changer for player development in Williamsburg, Hampton, Yorktown, Newport News and the Hampton Roads region.  It's no mistake that Ronaldinho, Neymar and Messi grew up playing futsal and have dominated on the world scene.  A shift in our soccer culture with a focus on proper futsal development in the US will create these types of crafty, confident players to to help close the gap between our national teams and the world powers." says Coach Kanneh. "Our 04 girls which won back to back regional championships in 2017 & 2018 also started in our USL Super Y program as U11 players and since won USYF futsal titles as well as WAGS, Jefferson Cup and other top events before landing with ECNL and top ranked clubs in the region.  This 05 boys group is special having won a VA State Cup title in 2018 outdoors, will compete well at the upcoming nationals and are destined to gain playing opportunities over the remainder of their youth careers, in college and beyond."

Having embraced futsal as the main developmental tool over the last 5 years, ETA "Elite Training Academy" and Premiere Sportscenter Yorktown have provided a training academy and league system that has exposed players to futsal techniques, tactics, playing with pace and a competitive mindset that has taken players to the next level not only in the futsal arena but as top outdoor players in the country.  "Not only are we proud to have won 3 straight US Futsal Regional Championships as FutsalETA, but more importantly that we have helped our players gain opportunities at the next level with futsal, outdoor national league clubs, US National team pools and ultimately into quality college programs." says ETA Director of Soccer Kevin Darcy. "It's not about us retaining players for our own benefit - but more importantly that we make players better and get them to the highest levels and opportunities in the game.  Our staff understands that we have had our day as players, it's about them and what we can do to make them better and enhance their experience."

In addition to the 05 boys, FutsalETA was represented in the USYF Regionals by our 09 boys JR Academy, 07 boys, 07 girls (3rd place) and our 05 girls.  The 05 boys champions which will head to the USYF National Championships in February include Jacob Atwater, Ryan Banwart, Alex Dierkens, Michael Hackworth, Hagen Hines, Kyle Hughes, Caleb Lewis, Seth Mileski and Arvin Picardo.

About ETA "Elite Training Academy"
ETA Soccer was founded in 2013 as a "club neutral" technical training group to provide individual, small group training, clinics, camps and competitive playing opportunities in the USL Super Y League and National events.  In an effort to stay on the cutting edge of player development, futsal became the focus in 2016 and FutsalETA was born as a member of IPL Futsal, the MAFL "Mid Atlantic Futsal League" and in 2018 as 1 of 18 clubs nationally into the USYF "United States Youth Futsal Development Acacdemy".  In addition to directors Kevin Darcy and Mo Kanneh, ETA United has put together a great developmental staff that includes MPL Foundations director Ryan Hagerty (CNU), JR Academy directors Scott Hines and Jim Risher, player development coaches Avery Saada, Brian Lybert and Eric Stauffer along with CNU coaching legend Steve Shaw to serve as our coaching director. 

US Youth Futsal Launches
New National Futsal Academy Program

The Pathway to Developing Technical Players

OVERLAND PARK, KS - June 7, 2018 -A new era for Futsal in the USA began today as US Youth Futsal (USYF) announced the launch of its new Academy program.   

The US Youth Futsal Academy program will powerfully impact and improve youth player development in the United States.

"We are thrilled to launch the US Youth Futsal Academy," said Jon Parry, Executive Director of US Youth Futsal. "We believe this is an important step towards developing world class players in America. We are proud that many of the country's top former futsal national team players are now USYF Academy Directors."

Setting the standard for elite futsal training and competition in the USA, US Youth Futsal's nationwide Academy program will improve player development by providing high quality and consistent futsal training environments, meaningful futsal competition and coaching education.

"The goal is to produce players of exceptional ability in both soccer and futsal," said Joe Farrell, USYF Academy Executive Board and Executive Director & Co-Founder, FutsalRVA. "The USYF Academy is designed for players who want to participate in high-level technical and tactical futsal training and competition. The Academy structure will complement - not compete with - a player's club training in order to optimize schedules and maximize development."

The Futsal Academy offers players a unique opportunity to develop and compete in a year-round futsal centric environment alongside of other dedicated and skilled players from a variety of youth soccer clubs.

"Futsal is paramount for player development in the USA," said Greg Simmonds, USYF Academy Executive Board and President, FutsalRVA. "The USYF Academy Program will provide environments where players are afforded opportunities to play and receive exposure on local, regional and national platforms."

With a focus on training and development over competition, Academy teams will have the opportunity to compete in meaningful games against the best in their regions in USYF Leagues, Showcases & the Championship Series.

"Our goal is to utilize our Academy's curriculum and structure to equip our players with the enthusiasm, courage and skills to flourish, be creative and to overcome any fear of failure," said Soorena Farboodmanesh, USYF Academy Director. "The USYF Academy will provide our players with events that maximize exposure and continue development."

The US Youth Futsal Academy Program has a three-year plan for growth. As part of the mandated criteria, every academy must provide training for a minimum of U10/12/14 and high school boys or girls in the inaugural year

The inaugural US Youth Futsal Academies are: 

619Futsal Academy  (San Diego, CA)
ABK Futsal Academy (Grand Rapids, MI)  
ATL Futsal (Atlanta, GA)
Barefoot-ISL Futsal Developmental Academy (Charlotte, NC)
Charlotte Futsal (Columbus, OH)
Columbus Futsal Academy (Columbus, OH)
Elite Futsal Charleston (Charleston, NC)
Fort Wayne Phoenix FC (Fort Wayne, IN)
Fountain City Futsal (Overland Park, KS)
Futsal 365 (Jackson, NJ)
FutsalETA (Yorktown, VA)
Futsal Factory Sacramento (Sacramento, CA)
Futsal Factory (Louisville, KY)
Futsal Indy Academy (Indianapolis, IN)
FutsalRVA (Richmond, VA)
ISL Futsal (Austin, TX)

In the USYF Academy's second, year there must be U10/12/14 and High school for both girls and boys. In year three, each academy must have all age groups, from U10-HS, boys and girls that train year round.

  • In the 2018/19 USYF Academy season, academies will play in five geographic regions across the USA.
  • Every Academy will provide a minimum of one futsal training per week for at least 10 months.
  • Each Academy will diligently provide quality training and provide players a pathway for development

USYF received interest from over 100 applicants when it first launched its application process for the Academy. "We were looking for very progressive, forward-thinking futsal experts who will work closely together to grow the sport and impact how talent in the US is cultivated," said Farrell, who said this is just the first wave of Academies.

USYF will look to expand its program to include additional clubs that meet the strict criteria for development - and want to offer a real pathway to developing technical players. 

If any Futsal organization is interested in the US Youth Futsal Academy program please contact Soorena Farboodmanesh at soorena@usyouthfutsal.com  or  CLICK HERE   

# # # 
U.S. Youth Futsal - www.usyouthfutsal.com
Follow us @USYouthFutsal on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

About United States Youth Futsal
United States Youth Futsal is the largest U.S. Soccer affiliated futsal organization in the country. Launched in 2004, U.S. Youth Futsal oversees more than 90 local leagues across the country, sanctions 10 Regional Championships and a National Championship.  USYF is the  leader in futsal player development and futsal coaching education and the Futsal I.D. and Youth National Team programs.