2023 United Futsal FUTURES- Ella Brant, in Spain!

Hello, my name is Ella Baluyot Brant. I am an 11-year-old Filipino-American multisport student-athlete. I love futsal, soccer, and basketball. I have been playing soccer since I was five, but I realized I had a real passion for the sport and began playing a game of higher-level travel soccer when I turned 9. Two years ago, I discovered the sport of futsal (a competitive 5v5 form of soccer). I started as a beginner and quickly knew it was something I LOVED, so I wanted to keep pushing myself to get better.

In 12/2021, I was selected by my club, VB Futsal, to play in a regional futsal tournament. We traveled to Greensboro, North Carolina, where my team came in second. Because of my performance and skill level in that tournament, I was invited to attend the United Futsal National Training Camp in Mesa, Arizona! At the NTC (National Training Camp), I spent a week training with some of the best futsal coaches in the U.S. and stood out as one of the best players in my age group. I have now been invited to attend United Futsal FUTURES training in Barcelona, Spain, in February 2023.

“FUTURES™ is the international individual player development stage for the Champions Cup Series. Top selected players from National Training Camp will have the unique opportunity to come together to learn, train, and live the life of a professional futsal player in Barcelona, Spain for 9 days! Players will be immersed in professional level training sessions with a world-class renowned coaching staff along with elite CCS coaches from the United States. Each player will be placed in activities to challenge their technique, hone their understanding of the game and experience futsal like never before.”- United Futsal

They are only accepting 20 girls in my age group from the entire country, and I am blessed to be chosen as one of them!! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! I have been training very hard, and receiving this invitation proves my hard work is paying off. I will not take this for granted - and will continue to improve as an athlete to achieve my dream of playing futsal for the United States and soccer for a Division 1 Women’s Soccer College team!

I’ve raised $300 by saving money from my chores, birthdays, and Christmas. Unfortunately, the remaining balance would take me another 10+ years to earn and save to achieve my goal. That is why I am reaching out and asking you for your financial assistance. Without the love and support of all my family and friends, this Barcelona trip to United Futsal FUTURES will only remain just a dream.

While this trip is an absolute surprise, my family, who supports me, is committed to ensuring I can experience this opportunity. Any contribution will help tremendously - no donation is ever too small to make a difference.

Funds will be used for my registration fees, air travel, and lodging.

Amazingly, after receiving this initial invitation my TEAM was invited to participate as one of 2 teams from the US in our age group in World Futsal Cup that will also be held in Spain. Any funds raised over my goal will go entirely to supporting the additional trip(~$4,500), my love of futsal, soccer, basketball, and the continued development of my skills as an athlete.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and for your consideration in making this dream a reality.

With love and gratitude,

Ella Brant #8

Venmo @SendElla2Spain