Futsal Canada's Roy Blanche is on Trial with Toronto FC

Wednesday, 26 October 2011 13:18 administrator 

Everybody at Futsal Canada would like to wish the best of luck to goalkeeper Roy Blanche, one of our Technical Directors, who is currently trialing with Toronto FC of Major League Soccer this week. With a tremendous attitude and great heart we know he'll give it all he has.

 

Local futsal player on the international stage by Brad Pritchard

Brampton City United GK Roy Blanche signs for Qatari Futsal Club Qtel written By: Kamal Hylton

Recently I (Kamal Hylton – Head of Media/Brand Development) had the opportunity to interview Brampton City United Goalkeeper Roy Blanche, in the interview we mainly discuss his signing for Qatari soccer club Qtel but also cover his expectations and how Brampton City United have helped him grow.

Kamal Hylton: Tell me a little about yourself?

Roy Blanche: I grew up in Etobicoke. I've been playing soccer/futsal since I was 4 years old with several teams like North West Azzurri, Willowdale, Hearts, North Mississauga and Woodbrigde Azzurri but primarily played for Club Uruguay my whole life. I've had trials with Club Nacional (Uruguay) and Columbus Crew (MLS) as well as played for every Brampton team that has ever played in the CSL, Brampton Hitmen ( 2003 CPSL Champs) Brampton Stallions, Brampton Lions and now Brampton City United F.C. I also played 2 seasons with Toronto Croatia (2007 CSL Champs)

Kamal Hylton: How did the deal (with Qtel) come about?

Roy Blanche: This Qatar opportunity came about thanks to my ex-national team and futsal club coach Rubio Guerra who was the Qatar national team coach but is now currently coaching in Kuwait.

Kamal Hylton: What are your expectations?

Roy Blanche: My expectations are to give 100% each and every day, learn as much as I can where ever I go and let god decide my fate.

Kamal Hylton: How do you feel about playing in such a different atmosphere?

Roy Blanche: This is a great opportunity that has been presented to me and I've been blessed to have this chance to learn how the game is played on this side of the world while also learning more about this culture. This will only better me as both a player and a person.

Kamal Hylton: How would you say Brampton City United helped you?

Roy Blanche: Brampton City United has helped me in various ways, starting from the top with Mike DiMatteo and Joe Leal, they are not only great owners but also great people and have supported and pushed me to accept this opportunity. They created a real family environment within the club, something that I have never experience with any other team in this league and for that I’m forever grateful.

Armando Costa, what can I say, a prime example of what a professional coach should be. The amount of things that I've learned from him on and off the field has been quite the experience. He knows how to bring out the best in a player and a person. He has definitely been a mentor on and off the field.

My partners on the field are more than just my teammates they are my brothers. They are a very classy and talented group of guys and every day I'm learning something new from every one of them. The environment they create on the pitch and in the change room is something that I will never forget. They are more then just guys I play soccer with, they are true friends and we try to spend as much time as possible together off the pitch. They are my homies to say the least.
Last but not least Pat and Mike Montalto, Wow those two are something else. The greatest managers in the world, they are two world-class people who I will never be able to repay for what they have done not only for me but the entire team. My hat goes off to them for the effort they put day in and day out, Mike is a prime example of a true soldier and why you should never take any day for granted. Since I've been in Qatar they have been in contact with me, steadily trying to make my stay away from home as comfortable as possible and it means a lot to me. My family indeed.

Kamal Hylton: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Roy Blanche: I want to give a special thanks to my girlfriend Veronica, who has stood by me and supported me in everything that has got to do with soccer and futsal in my life. She is hands down my number one fan.

Roy is currently playing Futsal for Qtel in the Qtel Cup in Doha, Qatar, his first two matches are Saturday and Monday at 9:30PM at the Aspire Center. Provided he’s not too busy he has informed me that he could send an update on the matches as well as some pictures, if provided those could be seen on our Facebook Fan Page.

Canadian Futsal

FUTSAL CANADA's ROY BLANCHE SIGNS PRO CONTRACT IN QATAR

by Kris Fernandes - Futsal Canada

The 32 year-old Blanche is Canada's all-time futsal caps leader in both AMF and FIFA futsal rules competitions and this latest achievement is another great step for him to reach his ultimate goal of representing Canada at the CONCACAF Futsal Championships in Guatemala next year.
The team is sponsored by QTel and by corporate juggernaut Qatar Airlines.

"It was just really fantastc news to get the call from Qatar and being able to play against some excellent players from all over the world in this competition. I didn't know I was the first Canadian born player to sign a futsal contract so that makes it extra special. I hope this can maybe motivate more kids back home to play futsal and realize that there is money to be made doing what you love." said Blanche via phone.

It was an excellent year for the experienced keeper, having won the Toronto Futsal League Season title in addition to the miraculous comeback victory in April that secured his Futsal Club Toronto squad the Copa Canada Championship.

Already posting a pair of rare shutouts in his team's first two group stage games already under his belt, the QTel team has already secured a place into the quarter-final round. His plans for after the tournament was rather simple;

"I just want to make the Canadian team, put on the red and white jersey and go beat the rest of CONCACAF so we can get to the World Cup in Thailand. That would make all the training, the travel, and the sacrifice worth every it. I'm doing pretty well so far over here and hopefully with a few more solid performances it will open new doors for me."

Roy Blanche in Qatar (Photo courtesy: Futsal Canada)

Futsal Canada's Roy Blanche Signs Pro Contract in Qatar

One half of Futsal Canada's Technical Directors, Roy Blanche, is believed to have become the first Canadian born player to sign a professional futsal contract with QTel Business Solutions in Qatar for the 2011 Ramadan Cup.

CANADIAN FUTSAL GOALIE ROY BLANCHE POSES WITH HIS
TORONTO FUTSAL LEAGUE SHIRT ON THE PITCH OF HIS NEW
TEAM, QTEL BUSINESS SOLUTIONS OF QATAR

The 32 year-old Blanche is Canada's all-time futsal caps leader in both AMF and FIFA futsal rules competitions and this latest achievement is another great step for him to reach his ultimate goal of representing Canada at the CONCACAF Futsal Championships in Guatemala next year.

The team is sponsored by QTel and by airline juggernaut Qatar Airlines

"It was just really fantastc news to get the call from Qatar and being able to play against some excellent players from all over the world in this competition. I didn't know I was the first Canadian born player to sign a futsal contract so that makes it extra special. I hope this can maybe motivate more kids back home to play futsal and realize that there is money to be made doing what you love." said Blanche via phone.

It was an excellent year for the experienced keeper, having won the Toronto Futsal League Season title in addition to the miraculous comeback victory in April that secured his Futsal Club Toronto squad the Copa Canada Championship.

Already posting a pair of rare shutouts in his team's first two group stage games already under his belt, the QTel team has already secured a place into the quarter-final round. His plans for after the tournament was rather simple;

"I just want to make the Canadian team, put on the red and white jersey and go beat the rest of CONCACAF so we can get to the World Cup in Thailand. That would make all the training, the travel, and the sacrifice worth every it. I'm doing pretty well so far over here and hopefully with a few more solid performances it will open new doors for me."

Qtel football starts on August 2

Doha: Qtel yesterday announced the launch of its 11th Annual Indoor Football Tournament 2011, to take place during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Running from August 2 to 16, the action-packed competition will take place this year at the ASPIRE Academy.

The exciting competition, which has run every year for the last ten years, sees employees from across the Qtel Group of Companies take part in a range of matches, representing different units, divisions and departments within Qtel. Observers of the tournament expressed their confidence that this year’s event will host a series of competitive matches. A total of ten teams will take part in the event, playing across four groups.

Ali Zaid Al Taleb, Tournament Manager, said: “This year’s Indoor Football Tournament will offer an exciting spectacle for our customers, who are welcome to attend the games. Qtel is a major supporter of sport in Qatar, because we believe it helps bring communities together and because of the health benefits that participating in sport can provide.”

Prizes are available for the best team and for the runner-up, as well as individual awards for best player, best goalkeeper, best goal scorer, best administrator and best coach.

Zaid Ali Al Taleb, on behalf of the organising committee, thanked to the Qatar Football Association (QFA) for their support and for providing the referees for the matches.

To help sustain the excitement around this competition, the organising committee have launched a special intranet site, to display the current team statistics, players and table positions.

THE PENINSULA 
Tuesday, 26 July 2011 00:25

Canada National Futsal Goalkeeper in Doha, QATAR...more to come on the QTel Indoor Futsal Tournament 2011

Futsal comes to Canada: FIFA Futsal Coaching Course Workshop

01 November 2010

Futsal comes to Canada

The Canadian Soccer Association in cooperation with FIFA delegates recently held Futsal workshops in the areas of Coaching and Refereeing in Laval and Ottawa with the aim of the advancement of the sport of Futsal in Canada.

The FIFA Futsal Coach Instructor course ran from 18 October to 22 October in Laval, QC. The course material was designed to prepare the participants to provide training to additional Canadian Futsal coaches. FIFA Instructor Constantine Konstin led 30 participants representing six Canadian provinces as well as two guest trainers from Burkina Faso and Cote D’Ivoire through the five day session.

“The course provided a great introduction for the game of Futsal into the Canadian Soccer Association structure,” said Ms. Beliveau. “The combination of expert instructors in the game of soccer and others in the game of Futsal created a great mix and a good model for sharing expertise.”

On 19 October the Association provided a train the trainer workshop to launch its entry level Futsal Referee Course in Ottawa, ON. Led by Canadian Soccer Association Director of Refereeing Joe Guest and US Soccer National Staff Instructor Jeff Killmeyer the course introduced the participants to the standardised material for training new Futsal referees, a cross-over course for existing soccer referees, and a national examination on the knowledge and understanding of the Futsal laws of the game. The well attended session featured representatives from 10 of the Association’s 12 provincial and territorial member associations.

“The opportunity not only to receive the material but to engage in discussion on the game was extremely beneficial for all the attendees,” noted Mr. Guest.

FUTSAL is the only official form of indoor soccer approved by FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association). It is played in all the continents of the world by more than 100 countries and 12 million players. Futsal is normally played on a basketball-style court, although it can be played on a variety of surfaces. The game does not require the use of expensive dasher boards, as does other versions of indoor soccer, therefore making it a very economical and safe sport. Because the sport is a great skill-developer, demanding quick reflexes, fast thinking, and pin-point passing, it is an exciting game for children as well as adults. Great soccer superstars such as Pele, Zico, Diego Maradona and Ronaldo grew up playing the game and credit Futsal with developing their skills.

For more information about Futsal visit FIFA.com’s Futsal information page here:http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/developing/futsal/index.html.

1st National Futsal Player ID Camp a Resounding Success

1st National Futsal Player ID Camp a Resounding Success

Friday, 25 February 2011 03:10 administrator
Futsal Canada would like to thank everybody who contributed to the 1st ever Canadian Futsal Player ID Camp (F-PIC’s)that was held in Toronto this past weekend at Seneca College. The innovative and groundbreaking program was by all accounts a huge success and will certainly help develop elite futsal talent in the immediate future. Check the story and pictures inside.

How many of these phenomenal talents will one day represent Canada in futsal?

The top 40 youth players from over 12 cities in Ontario and Quebec made the trek to engage in an excellent series of elite on-court and in-class futsal training sessions from Futsal Canada Technical Staff, Lorenzo Redwood and Roy Blanche. Players came from as far as Laval and Thunder Bay to join an elite cast from Ottawa, London, Montreal, Oshawa, Sarnia, Sudbury, and hosts Toronto, among others, and were thrilled to learn the tricks of the futsal trade.

Lorenzo and Roy running the players through training

The entire purpose of the camp was to bring together and identify the best male and female futsal talent between the ages of 13-17 and put them in a high-octane, pure futsal environment and to much excitement there were some diamonds in the rough discovered. The program initially sent out requests 3 months ago to futsal technical directors, coaches and league operators from across the country to select who the best 'futsallers' from each respective region were and well over 100 applicants came in from across 4 provinces. Players were selected based on their futsal experience and had to be recommended by both their league technical staff and coaches.

Futsal Canada Technical Staff Coach Lorenzo Redwood demonstrates what he wants from the players

A young player utilizing the sole of his shoe to control the ball, futsal style.

The fortunate 40 were then selected to come for the weekend and train – for free – under the tutelage of Redwood and Blanche, both of whom have some of best futsal playing and coaching experience that Canada has to offer. They were assisted by rising young futsal star Chris Duenas and top  female futsal player Trina Byrne. The program content featured 6 hours of intense on-court training coupled with an in-depth classroom session that focused on tactical strategies, adapting and understanding the new FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game, along with a focus on the future of Canadian and international futsal. Players also watched international futsal clips and came out more motivated than ever to represent the red and white one day at a future FIFA Futsal World Cup.

One half of the dynamic Gill girls, Nadja focuses on developing her already strong ball control skills.

Players enjoyed the opportunity to relax and get to know one another through a pizza party at the host hotel on Saturday night before getting some well deserved rest.

Day 2 featured a great series of games in which coaches assessed players while correcting formations and tactics. Making a special guest appearance all the way from Brazil was Alex Barbara from Penalty, Futsal Canada's Official Ball Provider, along with Penalty's Canadian Director of Development and Distribution, Louis Robin, both of whom were impressed with what they saw. Publisher Emeritus of Inside SOCCER Magazine, Canada’s National Soccer Publication, Alfons Rubbens also attended the Sunday sessions and was quite thrilled with the action, particularly with the high quality of play from the girls.

The double gym at Seneca College proved a spacious venue to host all 40 kids

Parents, coaches, kids and staff alike were unanimous in their support of the program and expressed their desire to become even more heavily involved as it moves forward. F-PIC’s will go into the future with more camps across Canada while planning trips for elite players to the USA and Brazil over the next year for a series of training sessions along with entering top tournament competitions.

Futsal Canada Technical Staff Coach, Roy Blanche, Canada's most capped futsal player

From left: Louis Robin of Penalty Canada, Kris Fernandes of Futsal Canada, Alex Barbara of Penalty Brazil

A special thanks goes out to Lorenzo Redwood and Roy Blanche (for their excellent teachings) Kathleen George (for her beyond brilliant organization skills), Veronica Harispuru (for conducting some excellent player interviews, Chris & Pablo Duenas along with Trina Byrne (for their help in instructing the players, Kris Fernandes (for creating and putting the program together), Corrie Wiersema, Kyle Washington, Edwin Saraccini, Andy McKay for spearheading the movement in their regions and the great staff at Seneca College for everything they do. 

Players and coaches happily smile together for a photo