Tri-Valley footballers looking to bend it like Beckham will soon have the opportunity to hone their soccer skills when Ballistic United Soccer Club welcomes futsal to the Pleasanton Fairgrounds this summer.
Ballistic United has negotiated a five-year lease with the fairgrounds to use a 61,000 square-foot outdoor complex near the off-track betting building on the east side of the fairgrounds across from the driving range. Aside from hosting youth and adult futsal leagues, the as-yet unnamed courts will also be available to rent for birthday parties, corporate events and tournaments. There is talk about pickleball availability on the courts, as well.
Futsal is a fast-paced style of soccer played on a hard court with five players, including the goalkeeper, on each side. The game is usually played indoors, the goals are smaller than those in traditional soccer, and a smaller, heavier ball is used. Gaining in popularity, the sport is widely regarded as an excellent development tool for players. It emphasizes technical skills, quick decision-making, agility and close control of the ball in a confined space.
The three full-size movable courts, one 70-by-140 feet and two smaller 70-by-110-foot courts, will have outdoor lighting and scoreboards and will be open year-round, weather permitting. A nearby grassy area with tables and benches for spectators will also be available. While referred to as ‘“moveable,” meaning the courts can be taken down and rebuilt as needed, they will be situated on the pavement.
The project, funded through a new nonprofit arm of Ballistic United, will cost approximately $1 million, according to Tim Ryerson, project director for the club. Funding for the project will come from donations and sponsorships.
Ryerson said the soccer club had been searching for suitable venues for futsal courts for years — places that wouldn’t be affected by wet grass or limited availability. Therefore when the opportunity to use the fairgrounds presented itself, the group eagerly embraced it.
“I was the general manager of Ballistic for a few years and had talked about this, and it’s great to see it coming to fruition,” Ryerson said. “It was a project I wanted to see to the finish line, so when they asked me to do some of the development, it felt, for me, like we were completing the task we talked about happening.”
Kevin Crow, another homegrown Pleasanton resident and executive director for Ballistic United, is a former all-star professional soccer player who played with the San Diego Sockers from 1983-1992. He was also on the U.S. men’s Olympic team in 1984 and 1988. He said he is thrilled to be able to bring futsal not only to Pleasanton, but the whole Tri-Valley.
“I grew up here in town and played for Ballistic,” said Crow. “I came back 15 years ago and wanted to get back to my old club and get involved. This couldn’t be more perfect … We do look at it as a Tri-Valley community asset. We don’t want people to think, ‘Hey, you have to be a Ballistic member.’ This is for all of the Tri-Valley, and maybe even beyond.”
Construction of the courts will take place over the next few months, with the expectation they will be ready for play after the Alameda County Fair concludes in July.
Founded more than 50 years ago, Ballistic United is one of the leading youth soccer organizations in the United States. The club won its first California state championship in 1972, and the under-12 championship team was honored with a visit from then-California Governor Ronald Reagan. Since then, the club has won numerous titles in state, regional, and international tournaments, according to its website.
For additional information, visit https://busc.org
