Major beach soccer, futsal boost coming as new governing body formalised

The newly formed Futsal and Beach Soccer Association Inc. (FABSA) has a clear vision for the development of both versions of the game, which are enjoying an explosion in popularity in Barbados.

FABSA president and former Barbados Football Association (BFA) General Secretary Edwyn Wood told Barbados TODAY that he was approached by a group of players and administrators to lead the new entity, which has already been granted formal affiliation by the BFA.

“We’ve already gone ahead and developed an 18-month strategic plan which we’re working towards, and that includes working towards national teams for both disciplines.

FABSA President Edwyn Wood (File Photo)

“It’s going to be a task because one of the things that we don’t have right now is a home for both versions of the game, but we are hoping that within 18 months we will be able to make some serious headway,” Wood revealed.

The longtime football administrator believes that, with the right structure and people in place, beach soccer and futsal can be advanced in Barbados, not only from a competition standpoint but also in terms of development, refereeing and contributions to national team activities.

“We don’t have any clubs or teams yet, having just received the affiliation from the BFA. What we’re trying to make sure is that people are aware of the entity.

“We’ve already developed a calendar of events for 2027 that we have taken to the BFA for their clarification and to ensure that we are not working against each other,” Wood explained.

He said that once this process is completed, it will create a pathway for FABSA to approach players and clubs to attain membership and become involved in its activities.

Wood said the first event under the new umbrella body will kick off in a few weeks.

“We will be hosting the beach soccer competition in the Olympic Association’s Barbados Independence Games from November 20 to 22.

“That will be our first event, which we want to use as a platform to really launch the new association.

“In March 2027 we have a youth futsal tournament planned, along with some refereeing workshops and coaching workshops, which have to be applied for through Concacaf via the BFA,” Wood said.

According to the football administrator, there are also two major beach soccer competitions lined up for 2027, with one taking place during the summer and another near the end of the year. These will be accompanied by an islandwide community competition in the second half of 2027.

He added that a number of ‘traditional’ football players already participate in both futsal and beach soccer events.

“If you look around, you’d recognise that there are a lot of people that like the short version of football and by this I mean futsal. If at any given night you go up to Oasis [in Kendall Hill, Christ Church], there’s a group of fellows that are playing constantly, but are not necessarily part of football teams.

“We’d like to reach those and any others that are not involved, but I think once we’re able to ignite the passion in people, they will come out and I do believe that there are enough players for each of the disciplines.”

In its letter confirming the official affiliation of FABSA, the BFA, through General Secretary Nicholas Branker, welcomed what it described as the important development and “recognises the significance that both futsal and beach soccer can make to the continued growth and diversification of football in Barbados.”

(KH)