Futsal Focus Network Conference tickets and guest list now available

On the 6 and 7 September, the World’s First Futsal Business Conference will take place in England at Prenton Park stadium, Tranmere Rovers Football Club. The conference is called the Futsal Focus Network Business Conference in partnership with Tranmere Rovers FC. The conference is bringing guest speakers from around the world to discuss various topics related to Futsal development.

Our mission is to give those with a development and entrepreneurial spirit the opportunity to see the future of the footballing format, and what that, could potentially offer them by investing in the sport’s development here in the U.K. or elsewhere. Furthermore, we want to educate the media, business sectors and the public about this thriving sport and the development examples happening in every continent across the globe. The conference will also be an opportunity to SAMPLE PRODUCTS FROM EXHIBITORS, NETWORK, SHARE KNOWLEDGE AND DEVELOP FUTSAL FOR IT’S AND FOOTBALL’S BETTERMENT. Although Futsal benefits Football player development, it also offers an alternative career for players and coaches who find that their skill set or entertainment choice fits more with this 5 a-side format than Football. Despite this, a growing number of Football clubs are getting involved in the sport such as FC Barcelona, Real Betis, S.L Benfica, Sporting Lisbon among others and UEFA are revamping and advancing the development of their own competitions as are other confederations of FIFA.

TICKETS for the conference can be purchased here or call (+44) 03330144452 between 9 am and 5 pm.  The early bird promotion has now ended, tickets for the business sectors are £125 for one day and £200 for two days. However, for the grassroots tickets are £20 for one day and £40 for two days, to claim your ticket contact Mia Coleman: MiaC@tranmererovers.co.uk. Below the ticket window,  you can see the guest speaker list:

Below is a breakdown of the guest speakers and the topics they will discuss:

6 September – Day One

Opening presentation: Antonio Paisana, Head of futsal section of S C Braga/AAUM

Presentation: Club Development

S C Braga/AAUM futsal has a unique organizational structure, joining three major Institutions. Antonio Paisana´s presentation will focus on how such partnerships can work, and other prerequisites for success.
Background

I am an Associate Professor at the University of Minho (Portugal) since 1999. I graduated in Economics from Birmingham University (England) in 1978, and in 1989 enrolled as a PhD student at Loughborough University having graduated in 1992. Since 1992 I have been a full time teacher at Minho University and for the past 5 and half years I have been the University Student´s Ombudsman. I was Vice President of SC Braga´s Football Club´s General Assembly between 2014 and 2017 and I have been the Head of futsal section of S C Braga/AAUM since 2007.

Presenting: Tachapat Benjasiriwan, Chairman of Chonburi Bluewave, one of Thailand’s most successful Futsal clubs.

Presentation: The impact of hosting a FIFA Futsal World Cup on Futsal development

Tachapat will discuss the impact of hosting a World Cup had in Thailand in 2012. Futsal is now one of Thailand’s most popular sports especially due to the success of their national team. Since 2012, investment in Futsal facilities has increased from government spending, investors/ entrepreneurs, and their national league is getting more media and broadcast attention.

Panel Discussion 

Topic: The day will finish with a panel discussion concerning Futsal as a player development tool, the methods used to develop players for their Futsal career or how this will help them should they pursue a career in Football.

Sitting on the panel are Keith Tozer, the U.S.A. National Futsal Head Coach and Commissioner of the Professional Futsal League, Ian Bateman, FA Lead Futsal Coach Educator, Mico Martic, Head Coach of Finland and Futsal Dinamo (Croatia) plus founder of Futsal Planet, Damon Shaw, Head Coach of Tranmere Rovers FC who also took his coaching qualifications in Spain and worked with clubs involved in the Liga Nacional de Futbol Sala.

Keith Tozer

Ian Bateman

Mico Martic

Damon Shaw

7 September – Day Two

Opening presentation: Keith Tozer, U.S.A. National Futsal Head Coach and Commissioner of the Professional Futsal League (PFL)

Presentation: The launch of the Professional Futsal League and the growth of Futsal in the United States of America

Keith Tozer will discuss the group of investors launching the Professional Futsal League such examples being Mark Cuban who is the principal owner of the organization. Mark Cuban could be described as the Roman Abramovich of the U.S.A. he owns the NBA Dallas Mavericks, Landmark Pictures and Magnolia Pictures among other companies. Other investors in the league are the Dallas Mavericks, the Lakers and other franchise owners who haven’t been announced yet. Further to the PFL, Keith will discuss the Futsal pyramid in the States along with development examples happening across the country that will be insightful for entrepreneurs/ investors who attend.

Presenting: Pablo Vilches, the Real Betis Director for Women’s Football and Futsal

Presentation: The Liga Nacional de Futbol Sala and why Real Betis are developing Futsal

The Liga Nacional de Futbol Sala (Spanish National Futsal League) is the pinnacle of professional Futsal currently in the world and an example to many countries as in where Futsal can reach and still aspire to go further. Pablo will discuss the growth of the league, and why Real Betis got involved in the Futsal industry.

Panel Discussion

Topic: The day will finish with a panel discussion concerning the current state of Futsal in England and the rest of the U.K. and the needs of the sport to develop it further for the men’s, women’s and youth game.

Sitting on the panel are Mark Palios, former Chief Executive of English Football Association and current owner of Tranmere Rovers FC, Mark Dick, National Futsal Development Manager for the English Football League Trust, Jez George, Chief Executive of Cambridge United FC, Luciana Silva (representing the Women’s Game), Principal Lecturer (Coaching/PE) & Futsal Head Coach Hartpury College and Michael Skubala, Technical Director of Futsal for the English Football Association and the Head Coach of the England National Futsal team

Mark Palios

Mark Dick

Jez George

Luciana Silva

Michael Skubala