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'Futsal really helps improve my mental health'

Chris Craddock
BBC Jersey communities reporter
BBC Bernardo smiles at the camera as people play futsal in the sports hall behind him. He is wearing protective goggles and a blue football shirt with yellow sleeves. He short dark hair and a dark beard.BBC
Bernardo has a learning disability and says futsal has made a big difference to him

Footballers with learning difficulties including ADHD and Down's syndrome have spoken of how playing futsal has helped their physical and mental wellbeing.

Futsal is played on a hard court using a smaller pitch, with a heavier and smaller ball in teams of five a side.

The Jersey Men's Learning Disability Football Team have been training with Jersey Futsal for nearly two years to help them stay active.

Bernardo Houiellebecq, from the team, said: "It's improving my game every day, every week."

A player wearing a skull cap and a red Man Utd football top is about to shoot as the goalkeeper runs out to close him down. Players are doing a training drill around them.
Players are trained by Jersey Futsal at Haute Vallée school sports hall

Bernardo normally plays as right-back or goalkeeper and hopes the success of the team inspires more people with learning difficulties to try the sport.

"It's great for close control and it's great for fitness," he said.

"I feel really good coming back from a game knowing that I've played well or scored a goal."

He said the sport "really helps improve my mental health".

"If you've got a learning difficulty or physically disability... we're always welcoming to anyone who wants to play," he added.

Lewis smiles at the camera as people play futsal behind him. He's wearing the blue football top with yellow sleeves. He has short brown hair and a stubbly beard.
Lewis wants to play at the highest level possible for Jersey

Lewis Nowell, another player who is a regular in goal, said he enjoyed the challenge of playing a faster paced game on the hard surface.

"It's challenging, but I like to challenge myself," he said.

He said he was hoping to represent Jersey at the Special Olympics and at the Mencap Home International football tournament.

"I just would like to represent my family and for them to watch me play on the biggest stage possible so we'll see what 2025 holds," he said.

Humair looks at the camera while people play futsal behind him. He's wearing a blue football top with yellow sleeves and he has short black hair which has been shaved at the sides and a small goatee.
Humair said futsal had helped him improve his attacking football skills

Humair, 17, won the Learning Disabilities Adults Player of the Year in 2024 and plays left or right wing.

"I like to go forward and attack playing risky football," he said.

"I like that futsal is fast and very energetic. There's lots of ups and a few downs so I'll carry on going if you give the sport a go because practice makes perfect."

The team is looking at playing futsal off-island again this year and competing in England Futsal tournaments.

Gary smiles at the camera as the players are playing a game of futsal behind him. He is wearing a grey zip up fleece and has white, short hair and a white goatee.
Manager Gary Norman hopes more people with learning difficulties will give futsal a go

Gary Norman, the team's manager, who has helped run it for more than 20 years, said the players all enjoyed it.

"My players have benefitted by learning more technical and different skills through futsal," he said.

"They enjoy it and I love it.

"It is open to all and there's a whole range of players here, some have brain injuries, ADHD, Down's syndrome, so everyone is welcome."

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