England's National Futsal League: How It Works

Baku United, one of the top three teams in the FA National League's Southern Division, posted the league standings on its Facebook page early in the 2013-14 season. Baku, England's defending national champion and a UEFA main round qualifier, had a 3-0 record and a goal differential of +20 early in the current season. England's National League is divided into three 8-team divisions, South, North and Midlands. England's FA also organizes a second division for each of the three divisions, as well as an FA National Futsal Super League and Grand Finals to determine a national champion and the country's representative in the UEFA Futsal Cup. The description below is what the FA uses to introduce prospective teams to its futsal league structure and requirements.

 
The FA National Futsal Leagues represent the elite adult futsal leagues in England and have been coordinated and run by The FA since 2008. The top male futsal clubs in the country compete in the challenging and exciting FA National Futsal Leagues which now showcase the best futsal talent from across the country.
 
The FA National Futsal Leagues are divided into three regional divisions: the North, South and Midlands leagues. Each regional league has eight clubs that play home and away against each other throughout the season until the leagues reach a conclusion in May when championship and relegation battles are concluded.
 
The top four clubs at the end of the season from each of the three regional leagues progress into The FA National Futsal Super League. The FA National Futsal Super League consists of four groups, and in each group there is three teams. The three teams in each group play home and away matches against each other between April and May. 
 
The winning teams of each group then compete at The FA Futsal Grand Finals to not only decides which club will be crowned the English national Futsal champions, but also which club will qualify for the ultimate accolade of representing England in the UEFA Futsal Cup.
 
The FA National Futsal League also has a Second Division where new clubs can enter into the North, Midlands and South based league system and progress to compete for their place in the top tier.
 
The top futsal players in the country play in The FA National Futsal Leagues, and this is where The FA selects players for the England national squad. Players and clubs in the National Futsal Leagues are dedicated and hardworking, continuously striving in their efforts to rapidly develop futsal in this country – particularly the elite end of the game. 
 
Clubs are structured and organised and expect commitment from their players to train regularly and work hard to improve their performances. The FA National Futsal Leagues are developing and improving rapidly – these are exciting leagues to be involved with. Clubs also encourage spectators to come and watch their games and support their local team!
 

Joining The FA National Futsal Leagues

If your Futsal club is interested in playing in The FA National Futsal Leagues, The FA welcomes applications around April time each season. New clubs are required to complete an Application Form and return to The FA by the stated deadline. (The application form and deadline will be listed on these pages during the window when The FA is actively recruiting new teams).
 
The FA will review all applications, and for those clubs that it feels meets the demanding standards expected from The FA National Futsal Leagues they will be invited to be interviewed to discuss their club. Those clubs that are suitable will then be put forward to entering the FA National Futsal League Division 2.
 
At the end of the season, the bottom club in each of the three FA National Futsal Leagues has to compete against the leading Division 2 sides in the Promotional Play-Offs to remain in their respective division. This will open opportunities for new clubs to join the league at the Second Division Level. 
 
Clubs considering applying to join The FA National Futsal Leagues should note that they need to be structured and organised, and have demonstrable experience of playing Futsal to a high standard. Playing in The FA National Futsal Leagues requires serious commitment from both the club and the players. The FA looks for clubs that as a minimum meet the following guidelines:-
 
1. The club has been playing Futsal at a competitive standard for at least one season.
2. The club has played competitive Futsal preferably in a league and can demonstrate success.
3. You have a club structure (e.g. Reserves, Junior teams etc) or are willing to develop such a club structure.
4. Your club has appropriate financial sustainability.
5. Your club has access to a venue that meets The FA National Futsal League Venue Specifications.
6. Your club has a committed pool of players to draw upon.
7. Your club has a coach that has attended The FA Coaching Futsal: A Beginners Guide course.
Current applications for the FA National Futsal Leagues are now closed.