By Ore Salu, Second Year, Film and Television
On Friday 31st of October, the University of Bristol African Caribbean Society (ACS) hosted its first-ever Black History Month Futsal Tournament at the Indoor Sports Centre.
The event brought students from across the university together for an evening full of friendly competition, teamwork, community spirit, and a celebration of Black culture through sport. It marked an exciting milestone in the new era of ACS, representing the growing presence of Black-led sporting initiatives on campus and demonstrating the power of sport in creating meaningful social spaces.
The tournament was organised in collaboration with the University’s Sport and Physical Activity team as part of the wider Black Student Sport Project, headed by Sport and Inclusion Development Officer, Joe Leaver. The aim of the project and of this particular tournament was to create a fun, accessible, and inclusive environment where students could both connect with one another and express themselves through the fast-paced, expressive game of futsal. Famous for its emphasis on flair, creativity, close ball control, and improvisation, futsal aligns with cultural values of community, rhythm, and expression that the ACS hoped to spotlight throughout Black History Month.
The event welcomed four mixed teams, featuring a combination of ACS football players, university futsal players, and students with varying levels of experience from across different societies. This blend of skill levels and sporting backgrounds added to the vibrant and unpredictable atmosphere of the tournament. Adapted futsal rules were used to keep the matches quick, smooth, and fair, ensuring that players of all abilities could enjoy the games. From kickoff, it was clear that each team had arrived not only to compete but to fully embrace the spirit of the tournament .
The intensity rose quickly with goals flying in from one end to the other, and the famous “joga bonito” style could be seen in moments of quick footwork, slick passing, and confident improvisation. The small-sided format kept the tempo high, creating end-to-end action that kept spectators in the stands deeply engrossed. Supporters gathered on the viewing balcony above the courts, cheering loudly for friends, coursemates, and new players they’d just met. The energy in the room was vibrant, warm and encouraging.
Events like this demonstrate the role sport can play in building meaningful connections between students from all cultural and academic backgrounds. For many, university can feel overwhelming or isolating at times, but communal sporting events help break down those barriers, offering moments of joy, shared achievement and belonging.
The ACS futsal tournament achieved exactly that by becoming more than just a series of matches. It emerged as a unifying and celebratory occasion that showcased the diversity, creativity, and collaborative spirit of Bristol’s student community.
One player, Grace Gondo, who is part of ACS and the UBWFC, shared her experience:
“I had such an enjoyable time playing in the ACS charity futsal tournament, and the proceeds going to the Mind Charity made it rewarding too. My friend and I were the only two girls, but everyone was so welcoming and as a result we had so much fun. I would definitely love to play again in future tournaments!”
Her reflection speaks to the inclusive and supportive atmosphere that ACS aims to foster - one where underrepresented voices and participants feel valued, seen, and encouraged.
With its successful turnout and positive feedback, the ACS hopes this tournament marks the beginning of a long-term tradition of sporting events tied to cultural celebration, community-building, and charity.
If you’d like to get involved in similar opportunities, keep an eye on the University of Bristol Sport and ACS Bristol Instagram pages for upcoming events, open sessions, and volunteer roles. You can also email joe.leaver@bristol.ac.uk for more information about inclusive sports programmes and the Black Student Sport Project.
What other sports would you like to see celebrating different cultures?
Featured image: Instagram/ @bristolacssports
