When Loulé GNR officer Frederico (Freddie) Fragoso approached Peter Hinze, the chair of Community Services at Almancil International Rotary Club (AIRC), for help in purchasing new kits for the Louletano Junior Futsal team, the club was delighted to help.
“This fitted in perfectly with our ethos, which is to help our local community in any way that will benefit young, elderly or disadvantaged people,” said AIRC president Mark Hulit.
“Sport is an excellent way of encouraging young people to learn discipline and teamwork, whilst at the same time having fun and getting exercise.”
Futsal is a fast indoor football game played between two teams of five players each, one of whom is the goalkeeper. Unlike some other forms of indoor football, the game is played on a hard-court surface delineated by lines. Walls or boards are not used. Whilst Futsal has not yet been included in the senior Olympics, in 2018 Futsal made its debut in the Summer Youth Olympics held in Buenos Aires.
The Loulé junior team, whose ages range from 13 to 18, has only been playing together for a few weeks coached by Freddie, Gonçalo Silva and Daniel Cruz.
On Sunday, the team, sporting their new kit, played their first match against a team from Portimonense Futsal at the sports pavilion in Loulé. The match was attended by Loulé Mayor Vítor Aleixo, Mark Hulit, Peter Hinze, AIRC club members and a large group of enthusiastic supporters.
Sadly, the IRC-supported team didn’t win but it was a valiant effort.
Freddie presented Peter Hinze with his very own Futsal shirt, but he won’t be joining the team any time soon!
Photo: The Louletano Futsal team with mayor Vítor Aleixo (left), team coaches and referee and Peter Hinze (far right) with his very own Futsal shirt
 Fragoso approached Peter Hinze, the chair of Community Services){kind=link}