Coronavirus: Indoor soccer faces a crushing opponent

Outdoor sports could resume this month in Melbourne if coronavirus numbers continue to fall but the final whistle seems to have been blown on indoor soccer business Futsal Oz.

Peter Parthimos with Luka Stevanovic and Steph Katsikis. Picture: Aaron Francis

Outdoor sports could resume this month in Melbourne if corona­virus numbers continue to fall but the final whistle seems to have been blown on indoor soccer business Futsal Oz, with the cost of maintaining property and overheads making it impossible to reopen after months of lockdown.

For the players, their families and the community, futsal is about sport, fun and friendship.

Ahmed Hassan, executive ­director of Youth Activating Youth, a group which helps disadvantaged young people, said distressed players had contacted him when they learnt of the closure.

“They have lost their second home,” he said. “I received a number of calls from young people reaching out and saying they need my advocacy.”

Mr Hassan said the stadiums were more than a place to de-stress, exercise and make friends.

“It’s a significant part of our community,” he said. “To have this around, (it) engages hundreds of people.”

Steph Katsikis, 12, has been playing with Futsal Oz since she was eight and now plays with the junior and senior squad, as well as outdoor soccer. “I play both of them because I think it’s good to play both and improve, get a faster touch of the ball,” she said.

While Steph said she was more interested in playing soccer, she said futsal was a lot of fun and a chance to hang out with friends.

Futsal Oz founder Peter Parthimos said futsal was not just an enjoyable sport but also the centre for a community.

“What we find here is a lot of love happens, there’s joy around the place,” he said. “New friendships have been formed, not only between the kids but with the families. (The community) is feeling a little bit lost.”