On Sunday 5th November, Chesterfield Futsal League were presented with their FA Charter Standard League Award at St George's Park. 

Dawn Heron, Derbyshire County FA Chief Executive Officer presented the award to Oliver Couch, Chesterfield Futsal League Chairman, and Simon Bannister, Chesterfield Futsal League Fixtures Secretary. 

The presentation was made at half time during the England v Wales Futsal International, which attracted 500 spectators who witnessed an exciting game that ended 2-2. 

The Chesterfield Futsal League was launched in February 2016 and has provided opportunities for players to play a game which has produced numerous world class football players, such as Pele, Messi, Ronaldo and Fabregas.

The Chesterfield Futsal League play their fixtures on Friday evenings at Queen’s Park Sports Centre, which is a state of the art sports facility in Chesterfield.  The league has played a key role in raising awareness of futsal and the benefits of playing the game through CPD events and summer tournaments as well as the weekly league. Chesterfield Futsal League currently has 28 teams from 11 different clubs playing in four different age groups: U8, U10, U12 & U14.  

Liam Rooney, Football Development Officer for Derbyshire County FA, said: "The Chesterfield Futsal League really has embraced FA Charter Standard and this has been demonstrated through the support they have given their member clubs. It is absolutely fantastic to know the Chesterfield Futsal League are the first Futsal League in the country to achieve this prestigious award and further proof to show how much the league is committed to developing futsal in Chesterfield and North-East Derbyshire.

"It’s so refreshing to see the league embrace FA Charter Standard and to see they are fully focused on the challenges ahead which includes supporting and increasing the number of players and teams, continuing to raise standards, supporting the workforce and providing coach education opportunities.”

Oliver Couch, Chairman of the Chesterfield Futsal League, said “Futsal is one of the fastest growing sports in England. It’s an exciting, fast-paced game that develops skill, tactics and decision making under pressure. It’s a sport in its own right, but as a development tool for footballers it is unparalleled. Being awarded FA Charter Standard League status is a wonderful development for the League and will spur us on to do more to promote futsal in Derbyshire as part of the DCFA led Derbyshire Futsal project."