The Yorkton United Men's Futsal league came to an end early last week at the Gloria Hayden Community Centre.
The league, believed to be the first of its kind offered here in Yorkton, was a good success, said league administrator Mike Jakubiec.
"We had good numbers. It's the first year for it. Next year, we are hoping for referees," he indicated.
The YUMFL included four teams this season, players coming from all over Yorkton, Wynyard and Melville, he said.
The league ran for five months, beginning in October and just ended last week.
Games were played once per week, each Tuesday at the Gloria Hayden Community Centre, and each game is made up of two 25-minute halves. Jakubiec said there used to be a men's indoor soccer league but has since changed to futsal, which is played with a slightly smaller ball.
Jakubiec said the City has been helpful with accommodating the games and the interest was quite high when he started the league in the fall.
"There were 36 guys right off the bat," Jakubiec recalled. None of the scheduled games had to be cancelled for any reason, either, he pointed out.
"These guys are pretty committed. It's been really good." Some games had to be played on with no substitute players available.
He said they did a lot of practicing.
Futsal is a variant of association of soccer that is played on a smaller playing surface then soccer and is normally played indoors. It is also derived from both Portuguese and Spanish versions of the sport. It is played between two teams of five players, one of which is the goalkeeper. Futsal is also played with a smaller ball then soccer with less bounce then a regular soccer ball. The rules of futsal focus more on improvisation, creativity and technique as well as ball control and passing in smaller areas (then soccer). Futsal is one of three sports under the governing body of FIFA.
Jakubiec said that the group will be starting their outdoor soccer league. Details are available through Jakubiec at the Canada Soccer Shop at 23 Broadway St.