Around the Counties: Futsal Frenzy in Freezing Northants

While eleven-a-side players froze on the sidelines waiting for games, Northamptonshire’s female futsal league thrived. Ad hoc indoor sessions began across the county in January 2014 as an alternative to cold outdoor training, helped by Sportivate funding through NSport and by Northampton Town via the Football League Trust. A series of tournaments at Kettering Arena drew four to six teams each and impressive standards, prompting a formal monthly league from September with six entries: Northampton A and B, Corby Steelers Red and Blue, Kingsthorpe and Kettering Futsal Club. The title went to the final game of the final night, Northampton B winning with seven goals from Harley Collyer and as many saves from Rachel Rayment. Organisers report players’ touch and decision-making improving markedly.