"Artem Rogowski, president of the Novosibirsk Regional Football Federation, is confident that the sport's appeal will persist and continue to escalate"
In the vibrant Novosibirsk region of Russia, a shift in sports culture is underway. Futsal, the indoor version of football, is experiencing a significant surge in popularity, with around 10 suitable sports complexes now available for 5x5 format games.
This rise in futsal's appeal comes at a time when the traditional football scene in the region is undergoing a transformation. The popularity of classic football has decreased in recent years, and efforts are being made to revitalize the sport.
One such initiative is the "Football in School" project, a key initiative of the Russian Football Union. This project aims to fill the niche once occupied by street football, providing structured and safe environments for children to learn and play. As part of this project, the Russian Football Union equips schools with sports equipment and organizes children's football festivals, with seven new festivals having been held across Novosibirsk Oblast in the past year.
The project is not limited to schools, either. It extends to kindergartens as well, with five kindergartens in the Novosibirsk region currently participating in the "Football in Kindergartens" project.
The "Football in School" project is also driving the development of women's football in the country. Women's football is actively developing as part of the project, with the aim of increasing participation and fostering a love for the sport among young girls.
To support these initiatives, master classes are being held with coaches from the "Сибирь" football club academy and private football schools. These sessions provide valuable learning opportunities for coaches, who are also adapting their approaches to upbringing, understanding the need to give young footballers freedom.
Despite these positive developments, there are challenges. Providing sufficient stadiums for big football in Novosibirsk remains a significant issue, with many fields not having been changed for decades. However, progress is being made, with a new football field set to be built at the "Energy" sports school base in November this year.
The Russian Football Union is also addressing this issue at a regional level. The Union has introduced the position of a regional methodologist for the "Football in School" project, with the aim of providing guidance and support to schools and coaches in the Novosibirsk region.
The efforts are bearing fruit. Currently, approximately 40,000 people are engaged in football in Novosibirsk Oblast, and the number is growing. The Novosibirsk Regional Football Federation emphasizes the importance of developing individual skills of young footballers over the results of youth competitions.
While the number of locals playing in the Russian Premier League remains limited, with only three natives of the Novosibirsk region currently represented, the region is seeing growth in its football competitions. In the last two years, nine new regions have joined football competitions in Novosibirsk Oblast, either for the first time or after a long hiatus.
The current clubs participating in the Novosibirsk City Championship play at various stadiums including Spartak Stadium, Lokomotiv Stadium, and Zarya Stadium. Key clubs include FC Novosibirsk, FC Sibir Novosibirsk, and several local amateur teams.
Over the past 11 years, 19 new stadiums with modern artificial pitches have been built and renovated in the region's areas. This investment in infrastructure, coupled with the ongoing initiatives and support from the Russian Football Union, is helping to foster a thriving football culture in the Novosibirsk region.
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
