LUNENBURG —The Wallis Park courts were a bustle of activity and energy on a recent Thursday evening, where fast paced, drop in street futsal for young soccer players is offered twice a week.
All kids from the region born 2013 to 2016 are welcome to participate in the Street Futsal Fiesta headed by Association Football Club (AFC) Polymers Founder Cesar Vega. Held weekly at the 26 Wallis Park location on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. until Aug. 20, the athletes are divided by age and then into teams with different colored pennies that compete against each other on the basketball courts in a 5v5 format.
“Our Street Futsal Fiesta strips away rigid coaching of traditional soccer clubs,” Vega said. “We embrace a philosophy of free play, a return to the roots of the game where the ball, the surface, and the speed of the street dictate the learning. By removing the pressure of high-cost leagues and structured drills, we allow young athletes to develop authentic creativity, ball mastery, and character.”
The action on the court is incredibly fast paced and while the boys outnumbered the girls at the July 23 session, the young ladies came to play. Ainsley Norris had a cast on her left wrist but that didn’t hold her back, scoring her first goal within minutes after the first match began.
“You get a lot of touches,” the 11-year-old said of what she enjoys about playing in the street futsal program.
Fellow female players and town residents Autumn Gerra, Grace Loughlin, Aria Mulone, and Parker Sawyer echoed her sentiments after posing for a group photo, saying they like the opportunity to work on their passing and footwork. They noted that with the basketball court space being smaller than a typical soccer pitch they are forced to make “quick decisions” and they really like the speed of play.
“It builds community and you learn from others,” Autumn said.
A beats heavy music playlist added to the festive atmosphere, and it was obvious that the dozens of youngsters who were there that evening were having the time of their lives. The teams rotated between playing matches against each other and lined up against the fence to watch the action when their team was on the sidelines.
Vega said that while their primary focus “is always on player development and the sheer joy of the game, it has been rewarding to see our players’ hard work translate into competitive success.”
Vega runs the “small but dynamic” youth futsal program out of Leominster, AFC Polymers, whose U10 girls team secured a Futsal NH League division title in 2024. In addition, during last year’s season, three of the program’s teams captured league championship titles, with a fourth squad “finishing as hard-fought finalists.”
“Beyond the scoreboards, what truly defines us is our connection to the area,” Vega said. “We have built our identity as an homage to Leominster’s industrial soul — the polymer history and the iconic design legacy that built this city. We are channeling that same blue-collar, innovative pride into how our kids play.”
He went on to say that the distinctive street futsal model “that prioritizes community and accessibility has driven rapid growth,” from just one AFC Polymers team in 2022 to seven in 2025, now serving approximately 70 players “who carry this technical foundation into their soccer and futsal league seasons.”
This is the second annual Street Futsal Fiesta and there are t-shirts and snacks available for purchase at the sessions, with proceeds benefiting the AFC Polymers program.
“The global surge in street futsal’s popularity blends with our club’s tribute to Leominster’s industrial heritage, symbolizing innovation and community resilience,” Vega said. “Our street futsal series is brimming with young talent, fierce competition, and inspiring camaraderie.”
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