Aberdeen Futsal Academy Clinches National Championship and Champions League Slot

Aberdeen Futsal Academy Makes History: From Debut Match to Champions League Contenders in Just 15 Months

Under the leadership of Grant Campbell, the Aberdeen Futsal Academy has triumphed as the champions of Scottish futsal, earning the opportunity to showcase their talent on the European stage by securing a spot in the upcoming Champions League.

This significant achievement comes after the team’s victory over PYF Saltires with a close score of 6-5 in Perth last Sunday, claiming the Scottish Futsal Super League title in their very first season of competition. This victory not only crowns them national champions but also paves their way into the Champions League, where they will compete against three teams from across Europe in the qualifying rounds this August.

Campbell, a former player with notable clubs including Wick Academy and Cove Rangers, co-founded the academy in October 2022 with his former teammate, Owen Cairns. Remarkably, their competitive journey began just three months later. The team has since drawn attention in the Breedon Highland League circles, featuring well-known players such as Alan Redford and Chris Angus.

From Local Initiative to European Stage: Aberdeen’s Futsal Journey

At 34, Campbell expressed his pride in the club’s rapid progression and success. “It’s a tremendous accomplishment for us, especially considering the quality of teams we faced. Beating the Saltires, a team with a formidable unbeaten streak, both at home and away, was particularly satisfying,” he said. The journey to the Champions League is a notable milestone for everyone associated with the team, he added, highlighting the comprehensive preparations needed to compete at such a level, akin to the football Champions League.

Campbell also shed light on the hurdles overcome to reach this stage, including establishing a regional league and securing a venue and funding, emphasizing the collective effort and support from sponsors like Azets and facilities like Robert Gordon University.

Grant Campbell in action for Fraserburgh in the Highland League.

Building the Future of Futsal in Aberdeen

Beyond their on-court success, Campbell has ambitions to nurture futsal talent in the north-east, lamenting the absence of a structured youth and adult futsal league in Aberdeen prior to the academy’s inception. He ran sessions for children from October to March, aiming to lay the groundwork for the sport’s growth in the area.

“For anyone who loves football, futsal is an ideal alternative. It offers numerous touches of the ball, it’s quick, and it demands intensity,” Campbell stated, expressing confusion over the lack of futsal activity in Aberdeen compared to its popularity in Europe and South America. He is determined to open up opportunities for local youth, viewing the academy’s current achievements as just the beginning of futsal’s development in the region.

Main picture: The Aberdeen Futsal Academy with the Scottish Futsal Super League trophy. Pictured back row (left to right): coach Dean Elrick, Alan Redford, Callum Dunbar, Dmytro Zabrodin, Arran Christie, Grant Campbell. Front row (left to right): Willie Mathers, Richie Petrie, Owen Cairns, Jamie Watt. Picture courtesy of Scottish Futsal.

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