The JFA Kirin Family Futsal Festival is a fun event which anyone can participate in and find delight in kicking a ball with families. The JFA and prefectural football associations hold this event at ten venues all over the country. Everyone is welcomed to participate if you can make a team of five people or more including elementary school students and women. You can also enter a competition by making teams with multiple families.

Approximately 200 family members from 24 teams participated in the event at Ecopa Arena in Shizuoka on Saturday 2 August. Participants could learn keys to enjoy football and futsal and have fun with their family from “Kirin Futsal Class”. It was no exception for even a father, who lacks exercise and is likely to be beaten by an elementary school son practicing football regularly, and a mother, who has no experience playing football but has a daughter who dreams about joining Nadeshiko Japan. As an instructor for the class, we welcomed SAGANE Kiyoshi, a former Japan National Futsal Team player.

The following awards were presented to teams who participated in the event throughout the day: “Family Award” for the team who showed a great family teamwork, “Futsal Award” for the team who got hung up on winning the match, “Festival Awards” for the team joining the event in a unique and enjoyable manner, “Ichibanshibori Award” for the team whose father member 　was trying his best, “KIRIN LOVES SPORTS Award” for the team whose kids were trying their best and “Gogo no Koucha Award” for the team whose female member was trying their best.

Event Outline

JFA Kirin Family Futsal Festival in Shizuoka

Venue: Ecopa Arena
Date: Saturday 2 August, 20 14
Schedule: Registration at 9 am, Festival between 10:05 am to 4 pm, Futsal Clinic (for parents and kids) between 1 pm and 2 pm and Closing Ceremony at 4:20 pm.
Organiser: Japan Football Association, Shizuoka Prefecture Football Association
Host: Shizuoka Prefecture Football Association
Application Period: Fri 13 June 2014 to Fri 4 July at 5:00 pm *The period is subject to change depending on the registration situation.
Teams: 24 team (Tentative)
Fee: Free of charge
Eligibility: Teams shall consist of one family or multiple families. Five players on a pitch shall always include one male and one female over 20 years old and two players younger than 15 years old.
Registration for JFA: Team registration is not required but “Enjoy Futsal” registration is required by the day of the event
https://j-futsal.jfa.jp/ (Japanese version only)

Comments

KAWASAKI Mutsumi, Member of a participating team
I took part in the event with my 3rd-grade son. I usually help him practice passing or lifting skills. Because those are basically something that I look after him practicing, I enjoyed playing with him as setting up his shots. We unfortunately couldn’t turn them into goals and kept losing matches, but it was a memorable moment working up a healthy sweat. I’m thankful that we could enjoy playing football as a team with full of smiles. 

KAMATA Kouji, Shizuoka Football Association
We have organised many Family Futsal Festivals. I always find smiles of participants and come to imagine a cheerful moment where they chat with each other during a family meal. The family futsal matches are the best for the grass roots of sports, “building up communications by enjoying exercising.” That’s the festival where we can feel pleased in organising the event.

WATANABE Atsushi, Shizuoka Futsal Selection, operator of the event
I found the family futsal very warm and cheerful atmosphere today where we can recall the derivation of sports, fun and games. Looking at men and women of all ages who enjoy playing with a ball is pleasant for us as well. I found myself cheering for many people enjoying the game. I would like to give an appreciation for having an opportunity to enjoy futsal anywhere with any one at any time just like today.