BEACH FOOTBALL, sometimes called beasal, has been popular as an informal seaside game in many countries for many years.
In 1992 Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW) codified the rules and became the organisation responsible for promoting the growth of this derivative sport.
BSWW created a partnership with FIFA in 2005 to jointly manage world tournaments, including the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup which is played every two years.
The 2015 finals were just played in Portugal. The next World Cup is in The Bahamas.
CONCACAF has a beach soccer championship competition, and the game could be vying for inclusion in the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Beach football emphasises agility and balance. Each team consists of five players, including the goalkeeper. An unlimited number of substitutions, from a selection of three to five players are allowed.
The field is 30 by 40 yards approximately. The goals are 7 feet high by 18 feet wide. Throw-ins and corners mean the pace and flow of the game is faster than regular football.
Shoes are not allowed, although ankle braces are permitted. Goalkeepers use their hands to throw in the ball. A game lasts 36 minutes, and is split into three 12-minute periods.
Beach football is an ideal sport for Barbados to include among our offerings of seaside activities and entertainment, especially now that we have to find new ways to enjoy our sandy east and south coast shorescape.
Let’s get creative and not let the currents defeat us.
– LEE FARNUM-BADLEY