Could coronavirus end Futsal Oz?

Futsal Oz is the home of elite, social and junior futsal in Australia.

Due to COVID-19, it has had to shut its doors and stop competitions just like all other major sporting codes. But could this be the end of indoor football in Australia?

Since being established in 2006, it has struggled to get off the ground and compete with the major sporting codes. After making its live TV debut, Futsal Oz numbers have varied, however have grown over time.

Broadcasting live on their website, Facebook page and on YouTube, the game has attracted online fans from across the country. Having only 84,000 followers on its Facebook page and approximately 50 people watching the games live at their various centres, it is a game struggling to reach a large audience and grow like the A-League, AFL and NRL.

(Photo by Victor Decolongon – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

They rely on club participation and various smaller sponsors, but with games not being played and sponsors cutting back on money, how will this game survive this coronavirus shut-down?

Futsal Oz CEO Peter Pathimos wrote for stakeholders: “We pride ourselves on providing the best futsal experience possible through our world-class futsal-specific stadiums… As this is an unprecedented event, we cannot speculate how things will unfold, however we are confident that Australians will band together and get through these challenging times together.”

However, since that statement on March 17, Futsal Oz have been silent on how they will come out the other side of this crisis. They have been posting old futsal highlights and various different videos to help those struggling in isolation.

We see other codes like the NRL pushing to start play again so they can get money back in the organisation to keep them alive. Will Futsal Oz do the same if the NRL resumes play?

Even when we come out of isolation, will Futsal Oz have survived? And if they have, will players want to return? Some may have lost their jobs because of this lock-down.

We are yet to hear anything from Futsal Oz on their plans for the future and how they will return. Could Futsal Oz be the first sporting organisation to close for good?