The Founder’s Cup: Celebrating 18 Years of Street Play
The highly anticipated Founder’s Cup is set for June 15, 2024, at Tuttle Park—where Columbus Futsal began! Don’t miss it, sign up today.
Picture this: as the sun sets over Tuttle Park, you can still hear the rhythmic thump of balls being passed around. The tournament is winding down, but the excitement and intensity of an action-packed weekend linger in the air.
Everywhere you look, there are groups of players in brightly colored jerseys mingling with friends and family, all united by their love for the game of futsal. A few triumphant players are leaving with trophies in their hands, their faces beaming with pride. One thing is for sure—Columbus Futsal’s second annual Founder’s Cup has been an unforgettable experience.
Sound like your idea of a perfect weekend?
Then be sure to mark your calendar for June 15th as Columbus Futsal proudly hosts its second-ever Founder’s Cup at Tuttle Park. This outdoor street tournament is a vibrant celebration of community, culture, and of course, a shared love for futsal! This year’s event is particularly special, as it marks the return of the Founder’s Cup since the hiatus caused by COVID-19.
“The feedback from the first Founder’s Cup was incredible. People had never experienced a tournament like this before. We’re excited to bring it back and celebrate with the community once again.”
- Dante Garcia, Director of Player Development at CFA
The Founder’s Cup Format & Rules
This year’s tournament will feature both youth and adult divisions, blending serious competition with casual play. Players are welcome to form teams from their futsal or soccer clubs, or even form a team with friends. The event aims to have both competitive and community skill divisions. No matter your skill level, there’s a place for your team at the Founder’s Cup.
The tournament follows a "Hit the Can" style, a nod to the game’s origins at Tuttle Park. Scoring involves hitting metal trash cans for one point or getting the ball inside for two points. The "winner stays on" format adds to the excitement, with teams battling to maintain their spot on the court.
Each team can have between 4 to 6 players, with no gender limitations for youth teams. Matches are short and intense, with group stage games seeding teams for the elimination stage games that last 7 minutes or until one team scores two goals. Players earn 1 point for hitting the can with the ball and 2 points for chipping the ball into the can.
Teams will compete not only for the thrill of the game, but also for the prestigious trophies awarded to the first-place finishers in the Winner-Stays-On elimination round. Those players will hold the title as Founder Cup’s "Kings and Queens of the Court."
The Birthplace of Columbus Futsal
The Founder’s Cup commemorates the birthplace and foundation of Columbus Futsal, honoring its grassroots origins and the rich history that has shaped it into what it is today. The physical space of Tuttle Park holds a special place in the hearts of everyone involved with Columbus Futsal—it’s the birthplace of the organization, where the magic first came together.
It all began in 2006 when Dante Garcia, Director of Futsal at Columbus Futsal Academy, started creating street soccer pickup groups in his neighborhood. These early gatherings were anything but formal; they were grassroots, spontaneous, and full of life…and still are!
The early version of what would become Columbus Futsal was an informal game you might know as "Hit the Can." It was played with metal trash bins as goals—scoring one point for hitting the can and two points for getting the ball inside. This makeshift game laid the foundation for what Columbus Futsal would eventually become.
By 2015, the grassroots gatherings had evolved into a formal organization. What started as unstructured, spontaneous play sessions had blossomed into a structured yet community-oriented program. The unique blend of free play and structured training became the hallmark of Columbus Futsal Academy.
Dante's love for the game was deeply rooted in his culture. His family, who immigrated to the United States from Peru in the 1970s, played a pivotal role in shaping his passion.
In South America, futsal and street soccer are ingrained in everyday life. Children play on concrete, using minimal equipment. This is how the world plays, and it offers a sense of freedom, creativity, and accessibility to the game. Anyone, anywhere, can play the game—all you need is a ball.
After returning from a trip to Peru to play in Academia deportiva Cantolao's renowned tournament, Copa de la Amistad, young Dante could often be found kicking a ball around, occasionally, breaking a window or two. Recognizing his grandson’s boundless energy, Dante's grandfather took him to Tuttle Park, handed him a ball, and told him to play against the mural wall.
This simple act sparked a love for the game and the discovery of a perfect play space.
Calling All Futsal Players & Community Vendors
Whether you’re a seasoned futsal player or someone looking to experience the game for the first time, the Founder’s Cup offers something for everyone. Register your team, join the festivities, and become part of a community that celebrates the spirit of street soccer. Spectators are welcome.
Additionally, if you’re a vendor with a craft or service that fits into this dynamic culture, Columbus Futsal wants to hear from you. Vendors will have the opportunity to set up booths and showcase their work and engage with the community and tournament participants.
“We want to highlight others in our community at this year's Founder's Cup, especially local businesses and people that go along with the street soccer culture. This includes DJs, hip-hop artists, graffiti artists, streetwear vendors, and barbers—anything that aligns with that street baller vibe.”
- Malissa Galiffo Garcia, CEO & President of Columbus Futsal.
Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to be part of Columbus Futsal’s storied history and vibrant future. Registration closes May 31, 2024. Register your team today!
If you’re interested in being a vendor for this event, please email info@columbusfutsal.us
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