Forget rugby or tennis. Children at Chipping Sodbury School, in South Gloucestershire, will be getting into the Latin spirit with a sports hall specially designed so they can play Brazilian football.

When it is completed, pupils will be able to play futsal (pictured), a variation on soccer.

The hall will also have a “third generation” imitation grass pitch, the most realistic now available.

South Gloucestershire Council and the school have invested more than Pounds 3 million in the capital project, with a grant from the Football Foundation, a charity that promotes grassroots football.

Head Philip Lidstone said: “We are delighted to have started building work on this exciting project, which will benefit both pupils and the community.”

Futsal is an indoor version of football between two teams of five players, using smaller balls. The name comes from the Spanish words for hall - sala - and football. The confined space helps to improve technique, movement, tactical awareness and fitness.

The game is recognised and supported by international football associations Fifa and Uefa, and now the FA, England’s football governing body, with world championships taking place for club and national teams.