Could CM Futsal Academy help England as they look to produce the next superstar?

Joanne Roque  
@JoanneSilva10 

Team Photo: CM Futsal Academy after playing Leyton Orient 

Just how far away is England from producing their very own Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi?

With the lack of inspiring talent coming through the English ranks, could the prospect of a player in the Three Lions shirt, exhibiting the skills and intelligence currently associated with the world's most talented footballers is a mouth-watering one.

But is a player with these attributes merely a dream or a real possibility?

For years, the youth systems in England have suffered, with coaches at grassroots level struggling with poor facilities, uneven pitches and lack of finance, undoubtedly hindering efforts to improve the technical ability of the next generation of English footballers.

However, in Leyton, East London CM Futsal Academy are training the next generation of players between the ages of 8 and 14 years old. The Academy may have only been running for four months but they surely have the right people for the job the staff range from FA coaches to qualified youth, sports and fitness workers from the fields of school education and sports management, It is that knowledge that has enabled them to offer a realistic opportunity to youngsters from all backgrounds into the system.

“Because of the similarities between Futsal and football, players who have followed both during their development have been the ones found to go on and do really well in the game.

"If kids are brought up on that, their ability to deal with a situation when things get tight in the penalty area in an 11-a-side game will be significally improved" Said in his Portuguese Accent.

At the same time education is a crucial part of what they do, and informing young people on how to be successful by promoting the five key points, namely: to be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and achieve economic well being.

“I personally believe that the youth development in this country have favoured physical over technical characteristics, but the football in the country is evolving. Small skillful players like Juan Mata and Theo Walcott are now excelling in the Premier League, whilst midfield enforcers or husky center forwards are not so much the backbone of teams in the top flight.”

Academy director and co-founder Carlos Santos created his center of excellence to deliver two agendas according to their official ‘manifesto’, firstly to help and support young and gifted players by pushing them to bridge the gap between amateur and professional football, as well as promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Essentially they want to help players who have the potential make it into the pro academies of excellence by giving them the experience of working in an academy or centre of excellence environment from a young age, and thereby giving them a better chance of making it.

“The emphasis is on improvisation, creativity and technique - you are unlikely to hear calls of ‘get stuck in’ or ‘get rid of it’ at a futsal match.”

Futsal, a small-sided variant of football played between two teams of five players in an indoor arena, is something that has been played for decades in countries like Brazil, Argentina, Spain and Portugal - countries who have won seven of the previous eight World Cups between them, and are also the top sides in Futsal.

In these countries, Futsal is part of a development programme where children play the sport up until the ages of 10 or 14 before deciding whether to focus on football or stay with futsal.

And that’s exactly what Santos is trying to do at CMFA, standing in the middle of 45 young boys discussing their latest project; the youngsters are enthusiastic with the potential coming through the academy.

Even though his own bright future at East Thurrock was cut short due to a persistent ankel problem that caused a lack of stability in his left leg, which flared up regularly.

In this type of situation a footballer either grows up with a cynical outlook towards life, the game or his determination to make it in any capacity is so strong he finds his own way to get to the top.

So what kept the Portuguese coach, who looks smaller and stronger than his five-feet-eleven frame motivated to stay in football even though he never made the grade at top level?

“I guess it comes down to motivation and how much you want something,”

“I’m motivated by my failures I know some of the aspects of the game that I should have avoided and if I don’t pass it on to the boys than I’m not doing my job right.” he says, his eyes twinkling, his enthusiasm undimmed.

The 34-year old is really flourishing as a coach and mentor to the next generation of footballers. He has gained top qualifications currently holding an FA Level 2 Coaching Certificate and will aim to sit the UEFA 'B' License this year, which would allow him to manage a professional club.

Santos, has already been named Amateur Football Alliance County coach (AFA) and FA London Regional coach of the year after some fine results and went on to be shortlisted as one of eight coaches for National "Coach of the Year " award in September.

Change

With The Football Association (FA) already recognizing the value of the sport to the next generation and realizing that the sport needs an overhaul, the FA have pledged to invest £150m over the next three years to improve facilities around the country.

“Futsal is a platform that allows players to use invention and game understanding to develop their abilities.”

He continued: “Its finally good to see that the FA are recognizing this and investing in the game, this will defiantly help England find their own Ronaldo or Messi,”

The FA’s technical guide for their latest edition ‘The Future Game’ for young player development includes a recommendation for a sport that the likes of Messi and Ronaldo grew up on.

“With the information that two of the world’s greatest players were involved in futsal during their childhood is a very useful promotional tool, it will show kids that if they can do it so can you.”

But while Santos and his coaches work hard is beginning to payoff he does not want to rest on his laurels. “We remain level-headed and have a strong base in the grassroots, that is something we won’t forget.”




If you are interested in joining CM Futsal Academy 
Contact Carlos Santos:

Tele: 07956304149

Email: csantos@cmfutsalacademy.com

Website: www.cmfutsalacademy.com