Josip Atelj, 11, dreams of emulating idol Cristiano Ronaldo.

Judging by his passion and attitude he’s off to a good start.

In February Josip’s futsal team, Jakanda Salsa, won the West City Crusaders FC’s Penrith 2007-08 under-10/11 futsal competition.

He was runner up in the Nepean district football association under-11/1 final with Penrith FC late last year and his current team is on top of the ladder.

The St Marys player was nominated for the Mt Druitt-St Marys Standard Junior Sports Star award.

Josip said when he was younger he saw others playing soccer and wondered if he could be as good as them.

He said this made him competitive, but not in a bad way.

“I just want to play my best and try and get further than I am now,” he said.

“I like the atmosphere (of soccer), I like moving the ball and can usually beat the players I’m against.”

Josip, usually a midfielder, spent some time in attack in the futsal final and scored three goals in helping his team win the competition.

He said losing the Nepean district final was not a heartbreaker, just a learning experience.

“I’m not disappointed we lost. I felt good (after the game), we tried our best and we almost won,” he said.

“Losing makes me think about the mistakes the team made and using those to make the team better. This season now we’re coming first.”

Source : Mt Druitt Standard
Published : 6/8/2008

A day after arriving in New Zealand the Philippines womens Futsal side got to stretch their legs against a Canterbury Womens Invitationalside as part of their build up to the Vikings Futsal Cup.

Canterbury went down 2-0 to the Philippines in an exciting game of Futsal that really could have gone either way. After a slow start Canterbury found their feet and got a feel for their more experienced opposition and had several opportunities to score.

In the end 2 simple defensive errors was the difference between the sides.

The game was a great opportunity for the Philippines to get some match practice in before the start of the Vikings Futsal Cup which will see them take on New Zealand, Northern Australia and Southern Australia August 8-10th.

Source : Vikings Futsal NZ
Published : 6/8/2008

Following many enquiries we have decided to introduce a Girls only training session. As such we are looking for expressions of interest from Girls between 10 – 15 years of age.

If you are interested in joining Melbourne’s most progressive Futsal Club, we would love to hear from you. Please complete our ‘Expression of Interest’ form by clicking on the link below and we will be in contact with you with more information.

Expression of Interest Form

About Melbourne Reds Futsal Club

Melbourne Reds Futsal Club (MRFC) is an FFV affiliated club that supports the growth of Futsal in Victoria. We are working closely with the FFV and other Victorian based clubs to ensure that the development of our sport is focused on delivering value to all stakeholders. Futsal has long been a popular sport on the Eastern Seaboard, with NSW, QLD and ACT adopting it as an elective sport for Primary and Secondary schools.

In 2005 the FFV took control of the administration of the sport in Victoria and the demand for structured competitions and venues has increased ever since. As such MRFC believes that there is a real need to provide professional training for Futsal players in Victoria, from beginner to advanced level.

MRFC will cater for sub junior and junior players and will split training groups according to ability / age. Players will train regularly and will be continuously assessed on their development. Participation in local competitions will also be encouraged as part of the training curriculum, as will periodical fitness assessments.

MRFC believes in TOTAL player development in a fun environment. A key component of the program will focus on regular game based training. Our vision is to create a vibrant and strong Futsal community here in Melbourne, by giving our talented youth the opportunity to learn and play our beautiful game.

Source : Melbourne Reds Futsal Club

West City Crusaders are running Futsal competitions out of Penrith Sports Stadium (Herbert Street, Cambridge Park). Below is information for those wanting to enter the comps :

2008/2009 Registration Information

Registration Dates:

Wednesday 20th & 27th August, 2008 (Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm)
Thursday 21st & 28th August, 2008 (Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm)
Friday 22nd & 29th August, 2008 (Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm)

Registration Prices:

Minis: up to 8 years $27.00 per player (Game nights Monday, Tuesday, Thursday)
Juniors: 9-16 years $47 per player (Game nights Monday, Tuesday, Thursday)
Seniors: $67 per player (Game nights Monday, Tuesday, Thursday)
(Game night subject to change) (Ages as at 31 Dec 2008)

REQUIREMENTS: One passport size photo & proof of age

BONDS: All senior teams will be required to submit (3) three game bond, bonds will be refundable at the end of the competition.

GAME FEES: Mini $35 per team, Junior $45.00 per team, Senior $55.00 per team.

For further information: please do not hesitate in contacting us as per below:

Club President: Warren Ladd – 0421 910 413

Email: westcity@westcitycrusaders.com.au

Source : West City Crusaders
Published : 6/8/2008

The national Futsal team, the Kurukuru, have cancelled their trip to Fiji as part of preparation for the FIFA Futsal World Cup in Brazil next month.

This comes after the Fiji Football Association did not respond to Solomon Islands Football Federations request. They had asked for the Kurukuru to go there and use Fiji’s court. This is similar to international standard for Futsal (indoor soccer).

Kurukuru manager Simon Dyer said because of the lack of response from Fiji the trip had to be cancelled. Dyer said the team are looking for an early trip to Brazil to play warmup matches before the World Cup.

We are still waiting for confirmation from Brazil, he said. We want to arrive one week early. The Kurukuru qualified for the World Cup after winning the Oceania championship in Suva, Fiji.

Source : Solomon Star News
Published : 6/8/2008

New Zealand Netball representatives Julie Seymour and Anna Thompson along with Skope Tactix coach Helen Mahon-Stoud, will be in action at QEII Park Stadium in the Celebrity Futsal Game on Thursday August 6th at 7.30pm.

The celebrity game is part of the opening ceremony for the Vikings Futsal Cup. The game is a great opportunity for some of New Zealands top sports men and women to have a crack at Futsal for the first time and for the public to come along and meet their hero’s

Team Vikings (Black)

Josh O’Keefe – Junior NZ Futsal Rep
Warren Wiseniski – Former Black Cap (Cricket)
Brendan Laney – Former Otago and Scotland Rugby rep
Rewi Manahi – Canterbury Rams
Guizinho – Brazilian superstar
Julie Seymour – Scope tactix/Silverfern (Netball)
Anna Thompson – Scope tactix/Silverfern (Netball)

Team Dal Ponte (Red)

Rod Thomson – Vikings NZ Official
Geoff Allott – Former Blackcap (cricket)
Shane Bond – Former Blackcap (cricket)
Toni Edmondson – Canterbury Sirens (Basketball)
Sam Mitchell – Junior NZ Futsal Rep
Nick Henare – The Radio Network
Helen Mahon-Stroud – Coach Canterbury Tactix

Vikings Futsal New Zealand would like to thank all the players for giving up their time and participating in the Vikings Futsal Cup Celebrity Game.

Source : Vikings New Zealand
Published : 5/8/008

Consecutive Futsal Premier League Club Champions Sydney Magic PCYC are proud to announce trials for their Under 10’s development program for the upcoming Futsal Premier League season.

Mini Magicians Academy Trials

Sunday 10th of August 6pm – 8pm
Robyn Webster Tempe Netball Centre
Holbeach Avenue, Tempe
(Left at the lights after Tempe tyres)

Changed Location :
Marrickville PCYC
531 Illawarra Road, Marrickville

The Sydney Magic Mini Magicians Academy for 2008/09 will be coached by Gabriel ‘Chi Chi’ Mendez

Also known to Australian football fans as the ‘Little Magician’, throughout his 18 year professional football career the Argentine born star most recently helped lead the Blacktown Demons to win the 2007 Premier League Outdoor Championship, but has also played in the old NSL for Marconi, Parramatta Melita in Austria, England and Malaysia and even trained with Boca Juniors.

The former Olyroo whom captivated many football enthusiasts over the years with his amazing skill has decided its now time for him to do the teaching of those skills.

He learnt from the best now it’s your turn!

For further info: Contact Matteo Maiorana : 0410 562 695 – matteo@sydneymagic.com.au

The full trials Flyer can be seen here (PDF) : Sydney Magic Academy Trials Flyer

Source : Sydney Magic PCYC
Published : 31/7/2008

A battling Launceston disability pensioner is seeking community help to get her two daughters to Melbourne as part of a State sporting team next month.

Joanne Reid’s two daughters Chelsea, 16, and Bianca, 14, have been picked in a State girls’ futsal (indoor soccer) teams to compete in the National Vikings Futsal titles at the Dandenong Sports Centre, at the end of September.

But the struggling mum, who needs a carer of her own, says she will find it almost impossible to come up with the $1000 each required to get her daughters to Melbourne.

“We don’t survive we just exist on the pension because the wage is so minimal,” she said.

“The girls are selling chocolates as fund- raisers to try to raise money for the trip because it’s so important for them but I’m not able to do anything to help them because I’m in a neck brace for the next six weeks.”

Miss Reid has been on a disability pension since 1986 when she suffered an injury while working at the LGH.

She is recovering after an operation in the Royal Hobart Hospital to fuse discs in her neck that were broken at the time of the incident.

To make matters worse, Miss Reid said the motor in her car blew up recently when she was taking the girls to Burnie for State team training.

“This (selection) is the first time we’ve had anything good happen to us – the girls generally think that good things only happen to other people,” she said.

Anyone who can offer help to the family with sponsorship should contact State futsal coach Will Gee on 0439616502.

Pictured : Chelsea and Bianca Reid, who have been selected in a State girls’ futsal team, with mum Joanne. Miss Reid is looking for community support to help her daughters get to Melbourne for the National Vikings Futsal titles. Picture: NEIL RICHARDSON

Source : Northern Tasmania Examiner
Published : 4/8/2008
By : Phil Edwards

The Management Committee have approved changes to the uniform policy of the NSWFRA. Historically, only black and grey SSI shirts supplied by the association were allowed to be worn on fixtures appointed by the association. The leadership group have decided to relax this policy primarily to allow those members who also referee football, the scope to wear their equipment also.

Referees are now allowed to wear the following:-

* Referee’s shirt that is predominantly black, grey or neon yellow with the appropriate FNSW Futsal Referee badge on the left pocket
* Plain black shorts
* Plain black socks or black socks with white stripes on the top only

It is important that if two referees are appointed to a match, that every effort is made for both to be outfitted with the same shirt.

All of the association’s current equipment falls within this guideline, however so does most football refereeing equipment. This decision brings our association in line with the Football NSW Referee’s guidelines and will give our referees more flexibility with what they wear when they are refereeing.

Source : NSW Futsal Referees Association
Pulished : 2/8/2008

The Sutherland Shire Futsal Association Incorporated is very pleased to announce that it has selected its first player Mitchell Hughes to represent Sutherland in the 2008 – 2009 Football NSW Futsal Super League. This is not just a first for Mitchell; it’s a first for the Association, the Sport and the Sutherland Shire.

Mitchell was recommended by our Futsal technical director Mr. Hector Martinez to the management committee after attending open trials held at Menai Indoor Sports Centre. The management committee agreed today 3rd August 2008 that it would inform the player and his parents of the decision of the Association. The parents and player accepted the selection with open arms. This selection is very significant due to the fact that Mitchell will play for the under 16s team representing Sutherland in Futsal.

The Futsal Association, President Mr. Jonathan Simnett said that “The mission and vision of the Association is being realised in the selection of Mitchell Hughes who has played for Bonnet Bay FC from under 6 – 13s and more recently this year with Como 14a’s coached by Steve Simonovski”.

Mr. Jonathan Simnett also said “the selection of Mitchell proves the benefits of Futsal to act as a developmental tool in creating Football players, we are ecstatic that the first player announced to play and represent the Sutherland Shire actually lives within the Community that we are a part of and active in building and developing.

To join Mitchell, open trials to represent Sutherland are as follows;

Under 16 boys, under 19 youth men and all age men’s, 12noon – 1pm, 10th August 2008 at Menai Indoor Sports Centre
Under 13s girls, 16s girls and all age women’s, 1.30pm – 3.30pm, 9th and 16th August 2008 at Menai Indoor Sports Centre
Under 12 boys, 2pm – 4pm, 10th August 2008 at Menai Indoor Sports Centre
Under 14 boys, 1pm – 2pm, 10th August 2008 at Menai Indoor Sports Centre

Source : Sutherland Shire Futsal
Published : 4/8/2008