Year 10 student Jordan Edge is paving his was to a national team place with his fancy foot work in Futsal.
Futsal is an exciting, fast-paced small sided football game that is widely played across the world and is officially recognised by both UEFA and FIFA. The nature of the game places a large emphasis on technical skill and ability in situations of high pressure.
Many top level international players have spent time playing Futsal, including Xavi and Ronaldinho and Pele. Pele, World Cup Winner: 1958, 1962 & 1970 says “Futsal was important in helping to develop my ball control, quick thinking, passing….also for dribbling, balance, concentration…. Futsal was very, very important, no doubt.” (www.thefa.com)
Jordan, 15, has been an avid football player since a young age, where he joined local Great Sankey Sunday league team, Matthiola at the age of 4. In more recent years Jordan has played in centre midfield for Warrington Town at County level and it has been during his training sessions here that he displayed skills ability which would take him into the Futsal arena.
Warrington Town manager, Ian Bateman, started a regional Futsal team and invited Jordan to get involved. The regional squad train at bi-monthly camps where 25 players from across the region come together to train and practice. Despite only playing Futsal for 6 months Jordan has caught the eye of the international Futsal manager at a session, who described Jordan as a “perfect fit” for his squad and suggested he should play Futsal full time at a high level. Subsequently Jordan competed for a spot in the England squad in a 5 hour, non-stop training session against many older academy players. Of this top level recognition, Jordan said “It was a shock! I didn’t expect someone that high to spot me. Hopefully I can achieve a high level of success following Futsal”.
Mum, Jayne Edge said “Jordan’s played at St George’s Park a number of times and has been noticed by several England coaches who think he’ll go far. Since the trials he’s attended for the England squad he’s been asked to join the Manchester Futsal squad. He’s really dedicated to the sport and practices constantly. His brother, myself (mum) and dad in fact all his family are extremely proud of him, and wish him all the luck in the world. All we can say is watch this space!!”
Jordan not only makes his family proud on the pitch, he is also on target for A*s and As in his GCSEs which he will be taking at Beamont Collegiate Academy in 2015.
As Jordan’s Mum suggests “Watch this space!” as the next 12 – 18 months look very bright for 15 year old Jordan.