The Philippine Football Federation (PFF), in close partnership with the Rizal Provincial Government and the Football Association of Rizal (FA Rizal), conducted a PFF Futsal Clinic in the province of Rizal on January 25 at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
The activity served as a collaborative grassroots initiative that brought together national and regional football leaders, local government officials, coaches, parents, and young players in a shared effort to expand access to futsal and strengthen its development at the community level.
The clinic forms part of the nationwide legacy program of the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup Philippines 2025, building on the momentum generated by the country’s hosting of the inaugural tournament last November to December. Through sustained partnerships with local government units and regional football associations, PFF seeks to translate the World Cup’s impact into long-term participation, systematic talent identification, and the development of future futsal national team players across the country.
A total of 110 children and teenage players from across Rizal took part in the clinic, undergoing structured drills and futsal sessions conducted by the PFF Coaching Department.
The sessions were led by Philippine women’s national futsal team assistant coach and PFF Coaches Education Program Operations Manager Jeffrey de Castro—a native of Cainta, Rizal—together with local FA Rizal coaches and Filipina5 players Vrendelle Nuera, Bhebhe Lemoran, and Regine Rebosura.
PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez said the Antipolo clinic represents a concrete step in ensuring that the World Cup legacy reaches communities nationwide.
“Hosting the first FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup gave us belief. What matters now is what we do after,” said Gutierrez. “This clinic is about turning inspiration into opportunity by bringing futsal to communities, engaging young players early, and creating pathways for the next generation of Filipina and Filipino futsal players.”
Gutierrez emphasized that futsal’s accessibility makes it a powerful grassroots tool.
“Futsal can be played in covered courts and small spaces, which allows us to reach more communities. From these clinics, we hope to identify and nurture talents who can eventually represent the country,” he added.
Rizal Provincial Sports Development Coordinator Buddy Arabit welcomed the partnership with the PFF and underscored the wider social impact of grassroots sports programs.
“We are very lucky here in Rizal Province to have this program. We are striving to become champions in futsal and football, and we thank the PFF for this support,” said Arabit. “This is important not just for sport, but to give our children a healthy diversion from gadget addiction and from the lure of illegal drugs.”