41 teams from County Durham are currently taking part in "energy-packed gameplay" - as they play in the regional round of the Pokémon Futsal Youth Cup. 

The 2022/2023 season has been the biggest year yet for the Youth Cup, with hundreds of teams from across the country hoping to make it through the national finals in July. 

Futsal, a miniaturised, indoor version of traditional football, has been growing in popularity since its inception in Brazil. Following Pokémon day on February 27, The futsal cup is celebrating the connection to its title partner.

Through their involvement with the Football Association, Pokémon works with boys and girls aged from eight to sixteen - helping to get them active. 

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On their involvement, Peter Murphy, the Senior Director of Marketing at the Pokémon Company International, commented: "Following the success of last year, Pokémon is thrilled to see its national futsal competition go from strength to strength, with the 2022/23 season seeing a record number of participants.

"It’s great to see teams who enjoyed competing last year sign up again this year and continue to develop their futsal skills, alongside the many new clubs we are welcoming to the competition this year. With the regionals fast approaching, this year’s competition is set to be our best yet."

Louise Gear, The FA’s Head of Development at the FA added: "We are delighted to see so many teams register once again to take part in this year’s competition and we’re excited to see what the 2022/23 season brings.

"Thousands of children from clubs up and down the country will be participating in what promises to be an exciting and fun competition for all involved, and we look forward to seeing who will be crowned winners come the finals."

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Regional rounds of the Pokémon Futsal Youth Cup have been running since January 29, and are set to come to an end this weekend, on Sunday March 5. 

Across the Boys and Girls Leagues, 41 local teams are taking part. 

Local teams participating in this year’s boys’ competition:

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  • Foundation of Light
  • Washington AFC Tigons
  • Futsal Partnership Newcastle
  • Washington AFC Tigers
  • Washington AFC Jaguars
  • Hebburn Town Venom
  • Durham County Schools FA
  • Whickham FC
  • Darlington FC Futsal
  • Shotton Colts
  • South Tyneside Harton and Westoe
  • Gateshead Redheugh
  • Hebburn Town Swarm
  • Chester Le Street United
  • Spennymoor Town

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Additionally, the following local teams are participating in this year’s girls’ competition:

  • Darlington Locomotives Arrows
  • Darlington Locomotives Rockets
  • Futsal Partnership Newcastle
  • Boldon CA Colts & Girls Youth
  • Washington AFC Lionesses
  • Durham RTC
  • Washington AFC Widlcats
  • Darlington Locomotives
  • Newton Aycliffe Youth
  • Durham RTC Whites
  • Durham RTC Blues
  • Chester Le Street United
  • South Shields Foundation
  • Boldon Girls
  • Boldon Girls Reds