Angela's Adventures

Angela's Adventures: Futebol de Salao

Posted: Jul 11, 2011 1:09 PM by Angela Douglas - Q2 News
Updated: Jul 11, 2011 1:16 PM

BILLINGS - With a motto of "health and fun through fitness," Futeboll Skills Soccer Academy has a unique approach to creating the next generation of future soccer stars in the Magic City.

"It's called Futebol de Salao," explains volunteer coach and Rocky Mountain College soccer player, Daniel Clitnovici. "We're trying to target that small ball just purely because it's going to build up technique a lot quicker than using a big ball."

FSSA is a non-profit organization developed by Rocky Mountain College professor Paul Roper. Roper says Futebol de Salao develops skillful soccer players.

"It's more controllable by the children," he states. "What's tends to happen is that children balls, which are just smaller than an adult sized ball, take a lot control. When you're working with children, you have to gear the equipment and the game to their size."

Growing up in Great Britain, Roper's love for soccer developed at a young age, a passion he hopes to pass on to Billings' youth.

"It's a health thing, a fun thing, and a part of childhood as far as I'm concerned," Roper says.

And so far his one-hour sessions are getting rave reviews from his players.

"It's not too hard, it's not too easy," says player, Rya Curfman.

Curfman's friend, Bella Plasterer, agrees.

"You have fun and you do teamwork," Plasterer states.

Teammate Kaden Trees says he simply enjoys soccer.

"I just like how we get together and play and have a lot of fun," Trees says. "It makes me feel really happy."

As a former soccer player myself, it was thrill getting back into the game - especially with my encouraging, mini teammates. After scoring a couple goals, I still have a few moves... but overall, I'd say a 10 year hiatus leads to some rusty skills.

Nonetheless, it's one hour I won't soon forget.

"For us, it's volunteering. It's fun," says Clitnovici.

A healthy lifestyle is the ultimate goal these coaches hope to pass on to the kids.

"We weren't on the computer games, we weren't doing that," explains Clitnovici. "We were outside, climbing trees, kicking the ball around, doing that sort of stuff. Being active."

According to Roper, soccer skills can be developed as a group or individually.

"One thing about soccer, very much like basketball, a child can do things with the ball on their own, or in a pair, or three or four," Roper explains. "So it's an easy sport to get involved and be active with."

And the kids seem to agree. When asked what their favorite thing to do in the summertime, both Curfman and Trees said, "Soccer."

Soccer, or futebol, is one adventure that can be enjoyed pretty much anywhere.

For more information on the program, contact Roper at 406-672-7262.