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OVERVIEW
The FA UMBRO Fives is back in its second year, bigger and better than ever with the memories of an excellent National Final day at Wembley Stadium still fresh in the minds of all those that competed.
If you missed out last year then now is your chance to make amends - The FA and UMBRO are inviting all teams to test themselves in The FA Cup of five-side-football and do battle for a place in the National Finals event at the amazing new Wembley Stadium.
The tournament kicks off in February 2008 with men's and women's competitions*, so register your team in The FA UMBRO Fives today and follow your very own path to glory.
(*Women's: 16+ years, Men's: 16+ years)
HOW IT WORKS
- Local qualifying heats will kick-off around the country from February 2008 and will continue through to May.
- Each qualifying heat will send their top teams through to one of eight regional finals, which will be contested during May and June 2008.
- Teams will battle it out during the regional finals for a place in the Wembley Finals event next summer where 24 men's teams and 8 women's teams will compete for the FA UMBRO Fives title.
- And those who think The FA UMBRO Fives Finals event is out of reach can think again, as 8 'lucky losers' teams knocked out during the local qualifiers will be selected at random to play in their own mini-final, also at Wembley.
SMALL-SIDED SOCCER
The introduction of a FA Cup for Small Sided Football (SSF) reflects the growth in popularity of 5, 6 and 7 a side football. Nearly a quarter of all the FA's affiliated teams are Small Sided and an estimated 2.7 million adults and 2 million children play each year.
The FA are supporting SSF by introducing a competition that will bring five a side players to one of the world's greatest stadiums - Wembley. They have also introduced a Small Sided Referees Qualification and a FA Small Sided Award - a kite mark for organisers that do a good job. The FA is also developing the FIFA format of SSF - Futsal. Teams and players can quickly progress into the FA Futsal Cup. The UEFA Futsal Cup and if you're good enough you could even represent England in International Tournaments.
WHEN + WHERE ARE THE LOCAL HEATS BEING HELD?
This year, the local heats for the FA Umbro Fives are being held at the SoccerZone Arena in Whitefield.
Dates are as follows:
- Mens Heats - Sunday 18th May 2008.
- Womens Heats - Sunday 25th May 2008.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO REGISTER?
Entrance fee per team is £30.
For more information on local small sided football or Futsal, please consult your local County FA. |
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