Boys & Girls Club hosts 5v5 Futsal Tournament

SAINT JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. --It’s a sport that is kicking in popularity, a sport that is building community and camaraderie among the Boys & Girls club. 

It’s the inaugural kickoff classic for the futsal tournament as 27 teams will compete through a two-day span to become the ultimate champions.   

“On the South and West side of South Bend, the communities we’re serving, it’s wildly popular. We really wanted to bring people together, bring the community together and have an opportunity for kids to really learn through sport,” CEO Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County Jacqueline Kronk said.  

Futsal is a variant of soccer that is played indoors typically on a basketball court between two teams of five players each plus a goalie.   

The club started a futsal league back in November. One of those members who signed up is freshman Elder Rapalo who says he just enjoys spending time with his friends and a sport that he loves.   

“I normally play soccer, but I played in a futsal tournament once or twice. And I thought it was fun. I saw the paper and I signed up to play futsal with the Boys & Girls club. I also see some of my other friends who also made the team, so it’s really fun just enjoying it altogether as a community,” Rapalo said.  

Club director Catherine Parisi wanted to find more ways to get involved in the community and give back to the kids in South Bend. That's when she decided to become a futsal coach.   

She said it’s been great seeing all players of different backgrounds and skill levels compete.   

“I think it’s been really cool to see all the different teams here. There are teams from Penn and MSA and different travel teams. I think it’s been pretty cool to branch out and see the soccer community that’s around this area,” Parisi said.  

Although it is too late to sign up for the tournament, Kronk is very confident more tournaments will happen in the future.   

“This is just a way for us to bring our community together through athletic activity. Sports is such an incredible way to learn. It's a great way to develop leadership skills, character and to bring everyone together in this right is exciting,” Kronk said.