Massachusetts Futsal Association is excited to announce that the world's best indoor game will be available in Lowell this winter. The MFA will host leagues for teams U9 to U14 on Saturdays at the Daley School in Lowell, very close to Rtes. 495 and 3.

The Lowell area is home to a wonderful soccer community. We are elated to provide leagues and clinics for the youth players in the lower Merrimack Valley as part of our commitment to developing and expanding the sport in Massachusetts.

League play will begin in December (Session One) and February (Session Two).

In addition to regular league play, Lowell-based teams will have the opportunity to play friendlies with teams from Brookline/Newton-based leagues. They are also specially invited to enter the Northeast Regional Futsal Championships, which will take place locally Jan. 13-16, 2012.

An open house will take place on Saturday, Oct. 22 from 2:30-7:30 pm at the Daley School, 150 Fleming St., Lowell. MFA staff will run girls clinics from 2:30-5 and boys clinics from 5-7:30, all free and open to the public. Players will also have the opportunity to play some 3v3 and/or 5v5 futsal and win futsal balls, futsal t-shirts, gift certificates and other prizes!

For more information, please visit www.futsalma.com or contact us as indicated.

The kindness and generosity of the Massachusetts Futsal community was evident in the aftermath of the January earthquake in Haiti. Through donations of almost entirely pocket change and small bills, MFA participants and staff raised more than $1,500.

Four Massachusetts teams will spend President's Day weekend in Kansas competing at the Super F Champions Cup, hoping to earn their first-ever National Futsal Championship!

Last year, the Brookline Warriors captured the B19 title, following in the footsteps of former futsal powerhouse Dragons FC. Now the hopes of the Commonwealth are turned over to a quartet of new teams – none of which have ever won a national title, despite all teams having won league and/or regional titles.

Shalrie Joseph Soccer Club will compete in the Boys Under-10 bracket, facing the talented Blue Valley Stars Soccer Club in the round robin. The team won the 2010 Northeast Regional title over Black Knights FC. It is a hardworking team with very strong goalkeeping – and although just a young team, the squad is experienced at penalty shoot-outs, their league semifinals and finals decided from the spot. The club is coached by Jean-Hosler Delcy and looks to be Massachusetts' youngest-ever national champion.

Black Knights Football Club has been one of the finest futsal organizations in Massachusetts for years. Under the leadership of head coach John Montanaro, the Black Knights' U13 team has become the top seed – and champion – in every competition. Although it will be the team's first experience on the national pitch, they are indeed contenders. With exceptional all-around play, and the stellar goalkeeping of Robby Montanaro and Peter Berens, the team is primed for success. It will meet three-time defending national champion Barca Juniors in the round robin.

Pink Ladies Futsal Club returns for its fourth shot at the title, its best finish a third-place result in 2008. It is an experienced side, with five players having competed at the tournament before, including both captains – Marisa Echavarri and Noga Rogel – returning for the fourth time. The team will meet stalwarts Total Prodigy and Blue Valley Stars SC in the first round. The expectations are high, but so is the level of play for the fuchsia females.

The Waltham Hawks were knocked out in the 2009 national semifinals by eventual champion – and league rival – Brookline Warriors. This year Armen Bahlavouni and Dan Iodice's team returns as the favorite, anchored by the remarkable goalkeeping of Pablo Teran and the leadership of Edson Marques. This team is experienced, resilient and extremely well-coached. It will be tested by a fiery Emil Dragicevic team from St. Louis and three other staunch opponents, but if the Hawks are in form they will be parading down Main and Moody very soon.

Please feel free to send correspondence/well wishes to the teams:

• Via post: Courtyard by Marriott, 17250 Midland Dr., Shawnee, KS, 66217


• Click here to e-mail Shalrie Joseph SC


• Click here to e-mail Black Knights FC


• Click here to e-mail Pink Ladies FC


• Click here to e-mail Waltham Hawks

Results will be posted nightly on www.futsalma.com and on our Facebook page live from the venues.