Last night Football Federation Victoria’s Elite Coaches Program was lucky enough to have current Futsalroos coach Scott Gilligan down for the 6th installment in the workshop program.

In previous months the coaches have been discussing topics such as skill acquisition and long-term player development which complemented the role Futsal can play in the development of the outdoor game.

Gilligan talked about how the heavier ball and its lack of bounce was great in helping the 6-8 year old kids learn how to control and dribble with a ball. The format, similar to that of small sided games, is played in over 150 countries throughout the world, including having over 30 million players in Brazil.

In countries such as France, up until the age of 12 only Futsal is played as it is great enhancement to technique, which has been shown through the amount of Brazilians that play the code and the success that they have then gone on to show at the elite outdoor level.

Gilligan also spoke about the history of the sport in Australia, from the national league that took place in the 1980’s took our history in Oceania and now in Asia. The sport is growing at a feverish rate, with the amount of countries participating in qualification for World Cups growing at each attempt and professional leagues currently taking place throughout Europe, with Spain the pick of the bunch.

There are definite challenges for Australia in regards to Futsal, with the tougher AFC opponents a stumbling block in qualification, however, there is no doubting its value in enhancing technique and ball control.

The next Elite Coaches Program takes place on August 2th.

Source : Football Federation Victoria Futsal
Published : 30/7/2008

Queensland Roar has finalised a partnership with Vikings Futsal to strengthen its grassroots association in across the state.

The partnership, finalised this week, promises to bring exciting benefits for both sides.

Vikings Futsal is the largest futsal organisation in Queensland and has around 2400 teams and 16,000 registered players in south Queensland alone.

Queensland Roar CEO Lawrence Oudendyk said the partnership would allow the club to maintain contact with the wider football community over summer.

“Their season runs from September through to February, so it’s very much in line with our season,” Mr Oudendyk said.

“It is good for us because we lose connection with our junior outdoor footballers after August and we don’t see them again until February or March when our season is over.

“Obviously a lot of their supporters are football fans as well and we can encourage them to come to games and encourage our fans to play futsal.”

Vikings Futsal CEO Alistair Miller said rather than competing, a close relationship would help the growth of both organisations.

“A lot of players play both and a lot of players only play one,” Mr Miller said.

“But at the end of the day, in this area Queensland Roar is the focal point of the football community and we want to support them to the fullest.

“We’ll be encouraging our members to support the Roar and, from our perspective, we’ll be seen to be supporting the football community by getting behind the Roar’s progress.”

News of the partnership was well-received by Roar striker Sergio van Dijk, who said he enjoyed playing futsal during the football off-season.

“In the winter in Holland it’s a lot colder than it is here so it’s great to play futsal because it’s indoors,” van Dijk said.

“It improves your technique because you generally have to control the ball better than in outdoor football where the pitch is bigger.”

Queensland Roar’s mascot Roary will be at Enogerra Futsal Club’s sign-on this Saturday. For more information on futsal go to www.vikingsfutsal.com

Source : Queensland Roar
Published : 30/07/2008
By : Jake Pratley

The national Futsal side, the Kurukuru, are emphasising defence as they prepare for September’s FIFA Futsal World Cup in Brazil.

Coach Victor Waiia is continuing intensive training at Honiara’s Multipurpose Hall.

Waiia said: “Over the past weeks and days, I have been working harder with the boys in strengthening their defence strategy.

“During the qualifiers in Fiji, we conceded many goals. But luckily we were also good at scoring many goals which after all resulted in getting the win.”

He said team spirit is good. “All the boys are pooled together everyday at Lawson Tama and it’s only during their school hours that they were absent.”

Twenty teams have qualified for the Futsal (indoor soccer) World Cup 30 September to 19 October in the host cities of Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia. The Kurukuru have been drawn in group A with Brazil, Russia, Japan, and Cuba.

Midfielder Jenan Kapu said they want to compete and not just participate. Goalkeeper Stanley Puairana said they represent not only Solomon Islands but also Oceania.

Source : Solomon Star News
Published : 30/7/2008
By : Romulus Huta

Maccabi Futsal’s open side has returned from Portugal, where they pitted themselves against the cream of the country’s professional club teams.

The two-week tour saw the side take on Benfica and Sporting Lisbon, in front of capacity crowds, against players who play futsal for a living.

The side competed in a round-robin tournament to launch a new stadium on Azores Island before they headed to Guarda City in the country’s north, to participate in the Gold Cup.

Maccabi Futsal president John Myers heralded the tour as an “unbelievable life experience for everyone involved”.

While the difference in class was inevitable against players that train eight times a week in a lucrative, professional league, the tour was designed to lay the platform for the side’s preparation for next year’s Maccabiah tournament.

With seven of the 12 players under 19 years of age, Myers was delighted with the strides made by the youthful squad, who revelled in the professional surrounds.

“The huge positive was the emergence of the young talent pool that we have now, which I think gives us a really good chance to make a serious foray in the latter stages of Maccabiah,” Myers said.

“We lived and breathed as professionals. You find yourself becoming professionals. In fairness, the team acted and behaved professionally at all times. We were a credit to Maccabi and Australian futsal.”

Myers said the team was already reaping benefits from the trip. Last week’s 6-1 shellacking of the Westerly Crusaders in the Futsal NSW Winter Super League was against a side that defeated Maccabi in the grand final two seasons ago.

Paul Meltz, Andy Kanchik and Adam Friedman are now mainstays in the side, with Myers lauding their improvement over the past few months where they had developed into “harder, cleverer players”.

The team was coached by Futsalroo captain Simon Keith, who goaded the best out of the players with his training and preparation methods.

Myers also praised Doron Pozniak, the skipper during the tour, and said he had matured into a leader of the “top draw” and enjoyed the privilege of wearing Keith’s Australian captain’s armband throughout the tournament.

While the team returned “battle-hardened” and enjoyed the benefits of “superb team camaraderie”, Myers said the tour’s success would have a ripple effect throughout the community.

He anticipated the futsal club would grow from 120 to 200 participants and he has received a “phenomenal” response to Maccabiah nominations.

“These guys are spreading the gospel of futsal at the moment,” he said.

Source : The Australian Jewish News
Published : 31/7/208
By : David Weiner

Below is the FFA Football Development Plan in PDF form. Its well worth a read for anyone interested in knowing the FFA’s new direction on Futsal, and also Football in general. Its well laid out and easy to read.

The full PDF can be viewed by clicking on the picture below…

In a nutshell, some of the areas in the document related to Futsal are as follows :

Game Development : Futsal - Historically, Futsal has not been given the level of service that it requires, especially when taking into consideration it’s growth and the important part it plays in the technical development of players. It needs to be integrated more effectively into the overarching football system as well as providing a seamless talented player pathway.

Initiatives : Small-Sided Games (SSG) - Small-Sided Games are a modified version of Association/club football, structured to more suitably address the needs of young players. The basis of SSG is that participants, playing on smaller fields and with smaller numbers, will interact with the ball on more occasions and be required to make less complicated tactical decisions. The result for participants is more fun (more successful interactions) and better skill/technique development.

SSGs are currently played in some parts of Australia, but the format is not consistent and the particular form used is not always ideal for the age groups involved. Commencing in 2008, a nationally consistent format of SSG will be introduced as the standard football format for kids under 12 years old throughout Australia, with an age-related structure and size linked to progressively changing abilities and skill levels of children.

In promoting SSGs, it is important to emphasise that their purpose is skill development through fun. They benefit kids by making their early contact with the game more enjoyable while simultaneously providing an environment that will facilitate greater skill development.

11. Futsal
Overview
Futsal is another part of our game which has enjoyed tremendous growth. Under the Football Development Plan, FFA will continue to work with Member Federations in the staging of a National Futsal Championships on an annual basis. There is also an identified need to establish a dedicated Futsal Development Plan that will focus on more effective integration with the outdoor game across areas such as coach and referee education as well as club development.

Objectives
• FFA to work with Member Federations to ensure that Futsal is fully integrated into their organisational structures
• FFA, through Member Federations, to work with all stakeholders to encourage closer links between outdoor clubs and Futsal teams/centres
• FFA to provide better services and programs to Futsal including Coach and Referee Education and Development
• FFA to ensure that a clearly articulated pathway exists for talented players within Futsal

The 8 week Futsalroo coaching clinic has commenced with success at Menai Indoor Sports Centre.

The clinic sees Australian Futsal players teach our local kids about technical aspects of Futsal. One parent said “Futsal is the key to develop each players Football skills, we are pleased to be a part of the clinic and have our kids trained by the best Futsal players in Australia”.

This weekend (week 3) will see up to 25 participants from under 6 - 11’s boy’s and girl’s.

Simon Keith who has played Futsal for Australia over 60 times and holds a level 1 FFA coaching certificate provided last weeks training. Simon said “he is happy to assist in the development of Futsal within the Sutherland Shire”.

Simon also thanked Futsal Association President, Jonathan Simnett for the invite to be involved in this development program.

Source : Sutherland Shire Futsal
Published : 29/7/2008

It is a familiar scenario at sports grounds the country over.

A coach directing his troops through any manner of drills and exercises.

That’s what any decent coach does, but who coaches the coaches?

Blokes like Kelly Cross.

Cross is the Football Federation Australia National Coach Education Manager, and aside from having really wide business cards to fit his title, is the man lumped with the duty of improving coaching across the country, and thereby improving the standard of football.

Cross was on the Coast Monday and Tuesday this week to put local coaches through their paces in two seminars.

He said the visit allowed him to examine standards in regional areas, while reminding the grass-roots football community that the federation still cared.

“I get out to the capital cities, but not to regional areas that much - it’s good for clubs to see someone from FFA,” Cross said.

“It’s all about making coaches better - all coaches take different pathways, some focus on coaching players, while I started studying coaching itself.

“There’s an obvious link - if you can make coaches better, you make the players better.

“People say the Australian team is not as good as it should be, why can’t we have Harry Kewells all over the field - if we can improve the coaching standard, we can.”

Off to Bundaberg this morning to check the lay of the coaching land today, Cross said he was impressed by the standard of the game on the Sunshine Coast.

“From the people I’ve met, even down to the Futsal guys, there’s some great talent,” he said.

“You only need to look at the State League and see how well the Fire are travelling.

“If they can do that, it speaks for itself - there is a real passion for football in the area.”

Cross said while clubs are concerned for player welfare, the coach can sometimes be overlooked.

“There’s a certain responsibility on clubs and zones as well, to have people responsible for coaches,” he said.

“This is a big country - there’s one FFA guy for coaching across the country, taking the resources and tools down to the grass roots level.”

Source : Sunshine Coast Daily Online
Published : 30/7/2008

Vikings Futsal Cup
August 8th-10th 2008
Christchurch, New Zealand

The Vikings Futsal cup will played out of QEII Park Stadium Christchurch, New Zealand August 8-10 2008. Played on an international court the event will be televised and played in Australia and New Zealand on various networks over the summer months.

The mens division will see Vikings New Zealand take on Victoria, North Queensland, Australian Barbarians, South Queensland and UESTC Chengdu from China. South Queensland on paper would go into this tournament as favorites.

The Vikings New Zealand women will take in Northern Australia and Southern Australia along with the IROK Philippine womens team. This division will be closely contested with the Australian sides looking very strong but any of the sides are capable of winning.

Results will be updated game by game on www.nzfutsal.com

Teams have named their line ups, and they are as follows :

IROK Philippines Women
Colours: Red/White or White/Red

1 Glend Bascon - GK
2 Beatrice Lim - GK
3 Tiffany Batungbacal - GK
5 Aimee Limketee - Field
6 Glazia Artus - Field
7 Farrabeth Limbo - Field
8 Shella Ninobla - Field
9 Maria Ragina Tanjangco - Field
11 Simonette Gaspay - Field
13 Krishna Javier - Field
14 Francine Raffy - Field
16 Maria Aurora Tanjangco - Field
18 Carla Paredes - Field

Coach : Emmanual Batungbacal
Asst. Coach : Paul Encarnacion

The Philippines will be on a high after finishing 3rd at last years ASEAN games will prove to be difficult to beat. A solid squad that has been together for some time and coached well by Emmanual Batungbacal.

Vikings Futsal New Zealand Women
Colours: White/White or Black/White

1 Noran Abaza - GK
2 Lucy Chan - Field
4 Emma Proctor - Field
5 Charmaine Arras - Field
6 Drew Weeda - Field
7 Mel Anngow - Field
8 Rebecca Banfield - Field
9 Kate Duncraft - Field
10 Tina Bosscher - Field
11 Darcie Willis - Field
12 Rachel Wilson - GK

Coach : Simon Mead
Manager : Sharon Marshall

A good mix of Youth and experience. Players to watch include former NZ Football Fern, Mel Anngow, youngster Kate Duncraft and the experienced Rebecca Banfield.

Northern Australia Women
Colors: Orange/Navy

1 Rachel Hume - GK
1 Sarah Hastead - GK
2 Sarah Garven - Field
3 Lisa Wilkinson - Field
4 Jennifer Wallis - Field
5 Holly Wiffen - Field
6 Jodie Hammond - Field
9 Jade Banks - Field
10 Samantha McGraw - Field
20 Joanne Burgess - Field

Coach : Nicola Zammit
Manager : Gina Vuksanovic

A very strong side with talent across the court. Players to watch include Matilda (Australian outdoor rep) Jo Burgess. Jodie Hammond and Jade Banks have both played for the Australian Futsal team previously.

Southern Australia Women
Colours: Green/White

1 Melissa Barberi - GK
1 Jade Baker - GK
2 Lailey Tanson - Field
4 Sophie Lamberton - Field
5 Gabrielle Conquest - Field
6 Seyma Erenli - Field
7 Greta Kennedy - Field
8 Burcu Apolzgen - Field
13 Kate Lutkins - Field
19 Theodora Balint - Field

Coach : Jeff Hawkins
Manager : Steve Tippler

A very strong side with talent across the court. Players to watch include Matilda (Australian outdoor rep) Melissa Barberi who is fresh from the 2007 Womens World Cup in China. Others to watch include Gabrielle Conquest and Lailey Tanson.

Vikings Futsal New Zealand Men
Colours: White/White or Black/Black

1 Chris Sinclair - GK
2 Daniel Costello - Field
3 Daniel Burns - Field
4 Troy Tapara - Field
5 James Vaughan - Field
6 Sam Enright - Field
7 Ryan Batty - Field
8 Brendan Snelling - Field
9 Tom Clarkson - Field
10 Michael Sannum Field
11 Rob MacGuiness Field
12 Duncan Reid - GK

Coach : Charlie Cremen

Great opportunity for this side to step up and make it’s mark after some great results in previous years including a narrow loss to China in 2007. Players to watch include captain Chris Sinclair, Michael Sannum and James Vaughan.

North Queensland Wizards Men
Colours: Blue/Gold

1 Nathan Elms - GK
2 Nathan Ferguson - Field
3 Damian Pilot - Field
4 Marty Calvert - Field
5 Paolo Vedelago F- ield
6 Ben Green - Field
7 Stephanos Neofitou - Field
8 Sean Jasperson - Field
9 Gary Hodgetts - Field/GK
10 Enver Silita Field

Coach : John Lobwien
Manager : Debbie Lobwien

Former Australian representatives Marty Calvert and Damian Pilot will lead this side well. Calvert, having been to two world cups and playing professionally in Holland will guide this mix of youth and experience

Victoria Vipers Men
Colours: Yellow/Navy or Grey

1 Gary Stone - GK
4 TBC - Field
5 Colby Waterfield - Field
6 Kui Mu - Field
7 Mirza Pedic - Field
8 Fernando De Moraes - Field
11 Jon Barrientos - Field
12 TBC - Field
15 Touffic Bakhour - Field

Coach : Milton Sakkos
Manager : Garry Liakoureas

Victoria are one of the leading sides in Australia and will be well coached by Milton Sakkos who is the Australian Coach. Players to watch include Kui Mu and Fernando De Moraes who have both gained Australian honours

South Queensland Vikings Men
Colours: Maroon

GK Zane Frieberg - GK
GK Nick Papadatos - GK
2 Keenan Duimphies - Field
3 Renagi Ingram - Field
4 Matt Taylor - Field
5 Scott Fenn - Field
6 Ray Mortenson - Field
7 Ben Hunt - Field
8 Daniel Liddy - Field
9 Matthew Pope - Field
10 Brett Richardson - Field

Coach : Paul McKarzel

South Queensland would come into the tournament as favorites with a very experienced side. Zane Frieberg and Scott Fenn have spent 3 months in Brazil with top side Malvee training alongside Falcao. Other to watch include Ben Hunt, Keenan Duimpies and Renagi Ingram

Australian Barbarians Men
Colours: Red/Blue/White

1 Robbie Weaver - GK
2 Dion Portelli - Field
3 Adrian Stockwell - Field
5 Benjamin Dooley - Field
6 Joel lowe - Field
7 Elliot Causer - Field
8 Filipe Amorin - Field
10 Dejan Herzegovac - Field

Coach : Filipe Amorin
Manager : Tanya Bond

The Barbarians are made up of players from Tasmania, South Australia and Northern NSW. Players to watch include player/coach Filipe Amorin along with Dion Portelli and Benjamin Dooley who toured Brazil earlier this year

UESTC Chengdu, China Men
Colours: Yellow or White

1 Rod Thomson - GK
GK TBC - GK
3 Huang Zhengqi - Field
9 Zhang Wei - Field
10 Zhao Long - Field
11 Sha Changcheng - Field
12 Xiao Jingtian - Field
13 Zhou tian - Field
14 Lin Yi - Field

Coach : Jing Zhihui
Head of Delegation : Luo Li

UESTC Chengdu are one of the top sides in the China National League will prove to be difficult to beat. UESTC will be without their China representative players as they prepare for the Futsal World Cup

Source : Vikings Futsal NZ

The Futsal 5 A-Side Australia Men’s - Black Knights team travelled to Geelong, Victoria on 26th July to play a friendly exhibition match against the Geelong All Stars at the Leisuretime Centre.

The game was played in high spirit in front of a small but very vocal crowd that definately lifted the All Stars side. Opportunities to score were presented to both teams however final execution was lacking by the striker’s and the All Stars Goal keeper made some great saves to keep the Black Knights out.

The All Stars scored first after 10 mins following a quick move down the field caught out a lapse in the Black Knights defence. They scored their second goal during a slow interchange, which enabled an opening passage down the middle of the field and the ball was quickly driven into the back of the net.

The Black Knights, whilst obviously weary from just getting off the plane, realised they were in a tight struggle and picked up the pace to score their first goal following four quick one time passes which saw the ball travel from the defensive line to the strike zone and driven into the inside corner of the goal.

The All Stars scored their third following a scramble in the Black Knights goal area which saw the ball ricochet of a players leg and trickle over the line before the keeper could react. The small crowd became more vocal lifting the All Stars side who immediately went on the attack and found another lapse in what appeared to be a tired Black Knights defence to score their fourth goal.

Whilst the Black Knights picked up their game to score a second from a free kick they were kept out by a very determined All Stars side and great saves by their goal keeper.

Overall the game was played in high spirit and finished with the Geelong All Stars side with a deserved 4-2 win.

Following the conclusion of the game, the Black Knights and the Referees conducted a free coaching clinic for interested parties which was enjoyed by over 60 kids.

The FFAA Executive would like to thank Brad Roberts and the Geelong All Stars side for hosting the game plus the Geelong spectators for their enthusiastic support.

We look forward to seeing you all during the afternoon/evenings of September 8th to 12th when the Russian side (current World Champions), Philippines, Australia and others teams including an invitation side from Geelong participate in a championship at the Leisuretime Centre in Geelong.

Source : Futsal 5 A-Side Australia (FFAA)

New Competitions are starting soon. All Ages from 6’s to All Age Male and Female

At Valentine Sports Park 235-257 Meurants Lane, Glenwood NSW 2768

Competition Days

Mon: 15 Boys and All Age Men
Tue: 10 Boys and 11 Boys
Wed: 12 Boys and All Age Men
Thurs: 6 Boys and 13 Boys
Fri: 14 Boys and Youth (16/17s)
Sat: 7, 8 and 9 Mixed
Sun: Girls / Women

For more information please contact Jo or Fraser Gray on 0415 697 812 or by email on johanfrasergray@hotmail.com or futsalcomps@footballnsw.com.au

Source : Football NSW