'Soccer for all': New futsal court at Chipman Junior High part of emerging trend
Nov. 28—A fast-paced variant of soccer played on a sort of hard top rather than grass is taking hold in Bakersfield. Futsal is played with a ball that weighs more than the average soccer ball, and emphasizes quick passing and skillful play in a close-quarter game.
And now it's come to Chipman Junior High School thanks to the Los Angeles Football Club, LAFC Foundation and Chevron Inc., which unveiled a new futsal court Tuesday afternoon.
"In northeast Bakersfield, there is a huge popularity of soccer as a sport," said Principal Tomas Prieto. Two schools were considered for the donation, and Chipman won out.
It's the third such futsal court in Kern County funded by the partnership, which has paid for six across Southern California.
"We know that soccer is a game for everyone," said Chelsey Oeffler, senior director of social impact at LAFC. "We say 'soccer for all' at LAFC. It brings different cultures and different walks of life together while playing the same game and it is reflected on our field, too."
