BALLARAT'S futsal (indoor soccer) pioneer Ray Janes is continuing to broaden the city's profile in the booming sport as newly-appointed national technical director of Futsal Australia.
As chief executive officer of the Ballarat City Futsal and Futbal Association, he has also attracted national and international players to the sport to visit Ballarat.
Last weekend at Ballarat East Recreation Centre, 200 youngsters and adults attended a series of clinics conducted by Australia's three top futsal players - captain of the national side Leo Carle, vice-captain and goalie Jason Crause and Johnny Ghisso.
The response to the clinics was phenomenal, Janes said, adding that participants were impressed by the helpful approach and humbleness of the Australian players.
Janes said his new role with the national body would take him overseas several times this year as well as interstate regularly.
"It entails being in charge of all international and national competition and being in charge of all coaching procedures throughout Australia including accreditation of coaches and courses."
It also involves organising the national men's and women's teams.
Janes is gearing up for an international tournament in Sardenia, followed by the inaugural women's world futsal cup in Madrid, Spain, in June.
Thailand men's national team will play three matches in Australia against the national team in September-October while the national men's team will also play in the South America national championship later this year.
While in South America, Janes will take part in an elite coaching course in Brazil, regarded as the futsal capital of the world.
Janes believes Futsal will "eventually become the number one participant sport" in Australia.
"The five-a-side sport is easily accessible to everyone from the average social player who doesn't have to turn up for training Tuesday and Thursday nights," Jane said.
"In Brazil they have kindy (kindergarten) futsal and here in Ballarat we work with preps upwards and now have more than 700 players including 107 teams playing four days a week and the sport is still still growing," Janes said. He said more than 200 countries played futsal today. The sport originated in Uruguay in 1939.