STUDENTS from the University of York Futsal Club will be representing Britain at the European Universities’ Championships in Malaga in July.

The Heslington campus’ futsal club are celebrating unprecedented success this year.

They became the first ever club from York to win a British University and College Sport (BUCS) premier league title.

A brilliant run to the semi-finals of the BUCS Futsal Championships’ knockout competition meant they finished the season as one of the top four university futsal teams in the country.

That success led to the club earning an invite to represent Britain at the European Universities’ Championships this summer.

Organised by the European University Sports Association (EUSA), this will be the ninth European futsal championships to take place, this year hosted in Antequera, near Malaga, in Spain, between July 21 and 28.

A club spokesman said: “Countries from all over Europe will be submitting a team to compete for the ultimate accolade – of being the best university team on the continent. York will be hoping to do Britain proud.

“However, before they can enjoy this fantastic opportunity, all the players need to do a considerable amount of fundraising as neither BUCS nor the tournament organisers subsidise any of the costs of travel, accommodation, or entry fees.

“The club will be working hard to attract sponsorship and organise fundraising events to cover all these costs.”

Originating from Brazil and Uruguay futsal is the official FIFA-backed version of small-sided football, played on a smaller indoor pitch by teams of five with a smaller, heavier ball.

The team have set up a web page for donations at http://www.charitygiving.co.uk/yorkunifutsal