United Futsal: Growing the Game, One Tournament at a Time
Meet Rob Andrews of United Futsal. From hosting elite tournaments to delivering portable courts on their own trucks, United Futsal is elevating the fast-paced world of FIFA's official five-a-side soccer – all from their home base at The Loading Dock. Their latest venture? Vilarosa Academy in Spain, where talented players ages 13-16 can live, train, and study in a stunning Mediterranean setting. Game on!
There's a global sporting revolution happening right at The Loading Dock! United Futsal has brought their passion for the fast-paced, five-a-side version of soccer to our Beryl Road location, where they're connecting players, organizing tournaments, and even launching international academies. In this Loading Dock Member Spotlight, discover how Rob Andrews and his team are growing the sport of futsal while finding their ideal blend of community and logistics in our co-warehousing space.
1. Who are you and what do you do?
We're United Futsal, and we promote, educate, and run tournaments and events for the sport of futsal, a 5-on-5 version of soccer that's officially governed by FIFA. From managing events to handling travel arrangements, producing apparel, and even transporting portable flooring on our company-owned trucks – we handle it all.
2. What makes your business special?
We solve every facet of event management from operating the event to managing the travel surrounding it, to producing the apparel and balls and equipment needed to play it and even putting the portable flooring on our company-owned trucks and bringing them and setting them up. It's a comprehensive approach that allows us to create seamless experiences for players and teams.
3. How did you find The Loading Dock?
We had been bouncing around co-working spaces for a while and were introduced to the co-warehousing concept which seemed to be a perfect balance between what we loved about co-working with our growing need for more convenient logistics. Jessie, Meredith and the team have been so accommodating that we'll be here a while!
4. How has The Loading Dock helped your business?
The Loading Dock has given us the perfect balance of office space and logistics capabilities. As our operation has grown to include equipment, apparel, and portable courts, having a space that accommodates both our administrative and physical needs has been game-changing.
5. Have you connected with other TLD members?
John over at House of Swank has been an invaluable resource for us and although always running, he always makes time for our "first time caller" questions when it comes to apparel and the industry. These kinds of connections are exactly what make The Loading Dock special.
6. What are you looking for right now?
We are looking for soccer players ages 13-16 who want to experience European soccer! We completed the purchase of an 8000 sqft house overlooking the Mediterranean in Spain and are hoping to fill it with 16 students each year who will eat and sleep soccer while going to an elite American private school. We're calling it the Vilarosa Academy. So if you know anyone who may be a good fit, send them to Sebastian (academy@vilarosa.com)! Thanks!
7. Quick Hits: The Fun Stuff
Coffee or tea? "I'm a big-time tea guy."
Favorite spot at TLD? "The collab room. It was a great addition!"
One business goal this year? "To fill Vilarosa Academy with 16 students who are ready to eat, sleep, and breathe soccer."
Something unexpected? "There are a lot of dogs here. It's a perfect balance between getting work done and meeting new people."
8. In Rob’s Words
"The Loading Dock strikes the perfect balance between getting work done and meeting new people. The logistics industry is a game won by making the fewest mistakes, and I did not expect the other companies to be so willing to spend so much of their time teaching us how to avoid making the mistakes they did when they first started. It certainly feels like a family, and we're glad to be a part of it!"
Would you like to be featured in a Member Spotlight? Let us know!
Follow United Futsal on Instagram @theunitedfutsal to learn more about their events, programs, and the exciting world of futsal.
