This year’s Architectural Futsal League saw a real upset in the final with reigning champions, SAOTA, losing to the league’s underdog team, BAM Architects in a closely contested final held at the Hellenic Club, Mouille Point on 27 May.
This is the fifth year the three-month friendly league has been operating, with 10 Cape Town-based architectural firms entering a team each of five players a side as well as five reserves. This year the teams included DHK Architects, MLH Architects, KMH Architects, VMMA, SAOTA, Design Space Africa Architects, Stauch Voster Architects, BAM Architects, Jacobs Parker Architects and VIVID Architects.
Sponsored by Corobrik, Hans Grohe and Prominent Paints, the league aims to give competing organisations a social opportunity to interact in a fun, sporting environment while creating great networking opportunities. Named after the Brazilian futsal league, it is a modified form of soccer with five players per side competing in a round-robin format of 15 minutes per half with one female player on the team at every time.
Commenting on this year’s league, tournament organiser, Bruno Lopes of KMH Architects, said: “Once again, the atmosphere has been fantastic throughout the league with a great camaraderie formed between the architectural firms as it’s a chance to meet outside of the stressful office environment.”
Having finished in last place in the 2014 edition of the tournament, BAM Architects proved that commitment and teamwork really pays off by taking the first prize this year.
Werner Oelofse, Corobrik’s Architectural representative, said BAM Architects were always the first ones at games and the last to leave.
“They really proved that hard work and working well together leads to success, which is what this whole league is about,” said Oelofse. “It made this year’s final match just that much more exciting, with the underdogs going on to beat the current champions. Nobody from either side gave an inch and BAM ended up winning by one goal, while defending an early lead.”
He said the final event was spectacular with Corobrik providing sponsorship towards a third of the entertainment and tournament costs as well as full sponsorship of the bar tab and a craft beer stand. Snacks and water were also provided every third week. Prominent Paints provided a spit braai while Hans Grohe sponsored Puma gift set prizes.
Prize money was contributed from the R1 500 entrance fee per firm. In third place was Jacobs Parker Architects who received R1 500; second place was SAOTA winning R3 500 and first place was BAM who took home R6 000. The top male and female goal scorers also received R2 000 each.
Commenting on the tournament, Ani Fuller from BAM Architects, said: “The tournament has definitely enhanced our team spirit in the office. Productivity has taken on a new meaning for us and we are reaping the rewards in a big way. Thanks to the sponsors for making the final game such an awesome one and thanks to all the teams for being such ‘teamplayers’. This tournament has helped create a real family vibe for all the firms.”
