England Futsal Announces First Cohort of Youth Development Partners
England Futsal is proud to announce its first cohort of Youth Development Partners for the 2025–26 season.
Following an open recruitment process held throughout late summer and autumn, which saw a mix of 55 clubs, private providers, and education establishments express initial interest, 24 organisations have continued through that process and have signed up as inaugural Youth Development Partners for this season.
This marks an important milestone in England Futsal’s long-term mission to work collaboratively with the futsal community to create a more meaningful, accessible, and sustainable youth competition structure across the country.
As previously outlined, this is not a short-term project. England Futsal anticipates that it will take three to five years to establish a robust, nationwide competition framework that provides relevant and rewarding opportunities for all young players who wish to engage in futsal.
However, today’s announcement represents a major step on that journey — one that England Futsal is excited and proud to begin alongside its 24 new partners in this first season.
About the Youth Development Partner Programme
In this first season, Youth Development Partners will deliver a range of local and regional events designed to increase access and participation for young players.
Each event will fall under one of three key categories:
Activate Series – Local, entry-level events designed to introduce young players and teams to futsal in a fun, inclusive, festival-style environment. Emphasis on players aged 8–14.
Challenger Series – Regional opportunities for mature futsal clubs seeking more competitive experiences for their players. Emphasis on players aged 11–16.
National Youth Cup – England Futsal’s national pathway competition, with Youth Development Partners hosting local qualifying tournaments leading up to the National Youth Cup Finals in May 2026. Focus on players aged 13-16.
More information about the 2026 National Youth Cup will be shared at the end of this month.
Support for Youth Development Partners
England Futsal Youth Development Partners will be supported with the following:
Dedicated branding, promotional assets, and social media support (A series of new England Futsal logos will be made available to Youth Development Partners)
Discounted coach development opportunities & targeted referee development
A dedicated page on the new England Futsal website, showcasing each partner and the events they deliver
Monthly drop-in support sessions to share best practice, connect partners, and develop provision collectively
In addition, all 24 Youth Development Partners will join the new England Futsal Youth Advisory Group, which will help shape the ongoing three-to-five-year national development journey.
Why is England Futsal taking this step?
England Futsal believes that the most effective way to develop youth competition is through collaboration with those delivering the game on the ground. By establishing an open network that will listen, learn, and unite the voices of our partners, we can shape a youth futsal landscape that truly reflects what young people want and need.
Working together also enables us to centralise data and insight from across the youth futsal space, helping to build sustainability and generate income through England Futsal Community C.I.C. — which can be reinvested directly into developing youth opportunities nationwide.
Looking Ahead
England Futsal recognises that building a sustainable youth futsal structure will take time, collaboration, and persistence. The organisation is committed to working alongside clubs, providers, and communities to evolve the excellent grassroots work already taking place across England.
Further opportunities to join the Youth Development Partner network will be announced in the near future as England Futsal continues to expand its reach and impact — working with more partners to provide a growing number of young players, boys and girls alike, with the chance to experience the excitement and benefits of futsal.
England Futsal would like to thank every organisation providing youth competition across the country for the important role you play in helping young people enjoy and take part in futsal. Thank you!
A Warm Welcome to our 2025-26 Youth Development Partners
A2Pro Soccer
Balham FC
Bloomsbury Futsal Club
Bolton Futsal Club
Bootham Girls’ & Ladies’ Futsal Club
Bucks Futsal Club
Cornall Performance Coaching
Dorset Futsal Club
F2 Academy
FC Devon (Romar Sports Devon Ltd)
First Class Futsal
Fleckney Athletic FC
Futzone Vision
Fylde Coast Futsal Club
Graiseley Sports
Kew Park Rangers Futsal
Leicestershire Futsal League
Lincoln Futsal Academy
Manchester Futsal Club
Northants Futsal
Solent Soccer
Worcestershire Futsal
University of Liverpool
University of Sunderland
