The second annual Open Futsal Soccer Play event welcomed dozens of young athletes to learn about futsal and soccer while testing their skills on the court.
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) – Fort Wayne FC’s final USL League Two season came to an end with a Sunday night playoff loss.
The club had already announced their move into the professional USL League One starting in 2026, the same year the team will move into a new stadium.
Just three days removed from the end of the 2025 season, FWFC leaders chose not to harp on the loss or even look too far into the future.
Team leaders hosted a futsal community event in Fort Wayne’s Packard Park Wednesday morning.
The second annual Open Futsal Soccer Play event welcomed dozens of young athletes to learn about futsal and soccer while testing their skills on the court.
The event made use of the Beasley Courts, dedicated to DaMarcus Beasley, who helped lead the community day of play.
“This is amazing. You see all these kids out here having fun, learning the game. A lot of them don’t know each other. That’s what soccer brings to this game, to the world. Different cultures, different ethnicities, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that little ball right there and how much happiness that brings out in some of these kids’ faces,” Beasley said.
Beasley – a National Soccer Hall of Fame member and current FWFC Director of Football Operations – grew up and attended high school not far from where these courts now reside.
“It’s not just about soccer. It’s about much, much more than that. If we can inspire these kids, especially this next generation, through this game, through that little ball right there, that makes us happy. So that’s what we try to do. Our community is huge for our success,” Beasley said.
Joining Beasley on the sidelines Wednesday morning was FWFC Head Coach Mike Avery.
He says he enjoys being able to make an impact on the community which has supported his team all season, and he hopes to inspire the next generation of local athletes.
Avery notes that youth sports have become quite exclusive and expensive, so he hopes events like these can encourage people of all backgrounds to find a passion for sports like soccer.
“This is the people’s game. This is the world’s game. All over the world, they’re played on the streets in every city across the globe. The fact that we can come out here and give them an introduction to it, – and just a fun way to play – I think that’s really the most important thing,” Avery said.
Avery is aware of Beasley’s impact on the community and wants to see other kids develop the drive to follow in his footsteps.
“Obviously, you would love to find the next DaMarcus Beasley. That would be the dream of that, but not even really the goal of it,” Avery said. “The goal is just to give them an opportunity to come out and enjoy the game in their community and us bringing the game to them.”
Neil Miller with Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation says he’s aware that futsal itself isn’t a well-known sport in the community, but its close relation to soccer and easy accessibility could spark an interest in local kids.
For those who do find passion for either sport, the Beasley Courts are ready for play at Packard Park.
“We want those stories coming out of Fort Wayne. We want people who grew up here, who played on this court, to go on and do what DaMarcus did,” Miller said. “The courts are here. They’re always here. We hope that these kids come back and play more.”
