While new team Western Sydney Wanderers will soon represent the area in the A-League outdoor soccer competition, Parramatta is already represented in the national futsal league.

Parramatta Blues have been competing in the F-League futsal competition for a couple of years, with many players growing up in the region.

Coach Steven Luburic, 37, who grew up in Guildford and now lives in Dundas, said he and many of the players had started when they were younger and were hoping to get the sport to a professional level.

“We’re participating in the highest league, are representing the area and want to get established in the area,” he said.

“It’s been hard for us – court-wise basketball and netball is popular, but futsal doesn’t have any area.

“My aim is to get entrenched in schools and be attracting those players in the future.”

Luburic said futsal was much more intense than outdoor soccer.

“It’s played on a court a bit bigger than a basketball court and has four players and a goalkeeper,” he said.

“The pace is very fast compared to outdoor, with more touches on the ball.

“Our players have a higher skill level because they have to play under pressure.”

The F-League has eight teams, four from Victoria, three from NSW and one from the ACT. Rounds of three games are played every two to four weeks.

WANT TO WATCH?

WHAT: Parramatta Blues vs Dural Warriors and ACT Boomerangs

WHEN: September 8 and 9

TIME: 9am Saturday and noon Sunday. Other games will also be played on both days

WHERE: Morris Iemma Indoor Sports Centre, 150 Belmore Rd, Riverwood

SUPPORT OR JOIN: facebook.com/parramatta blues or [email protected]