The 2008 Futsal season commences on October 16, with team registrations due by September 25, just three weeks away.

This year will be the second year of the expanded competition, following over 120 registrations last year allowing a senior competition and six teams in three junior age group competitions.

Last year’s Futsal coordinator Jim Glasheen said that they were hoping for even stronger interest for this year’s competition.

“We are hoping to take several teams to the state titles in November, where we’ve had a lot of success in the past few years,” Mr Glasheen said.

In 2005, the Young under 14s team were National Champions of the club competition.

Last year, the Young under 16s team made it to the semi-finals of the State Championships while the year before, both the 14s and 16s competed to strong success with many of the same players from previous years.

“We started the season rather late last year, waiting for the fantastic new sports stadium to be finished, making state titles preparations a little difficult, although the great new facilities made for a fantastic local competition,” Mr Glasheen said.

There will be two information and registration days on September 18 and 25 held at the PCYC.

Futsal is a five-a-side indoor soccer competition, with teams of seven allowing two reserves.

“It is an extremely fast-paced game, with great excitement and social atmosphere,” Mr Glasheen said.

“It is fantastic for fitness, soccer skills, coordination, and a fantastic sport on its own.”

As many players as would wish can register for the same team, allowing for outside commitments and busy lifestyles.

For more information, to nominate a team or individually, contact the PCYC on 6382 5392.

Source : The Young Witness
Published : 8/9/2008
By : Campbell Walker

A capacity crowd of nearly 500 spectators packed the grandstand at the Dural Sport & Leisure Centre to watch the young Solomon Islands Kurukurus do battle with the NSW Thunder Men’s team in preparation for their tilt at the 2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup.

As soon as World Cup bound referee Scott Kidson got the game under way the young Islanders had the NSW team under enormous pressure with their quick passing, ¾ court pressure defense and speed around the court. However by the time Micah opened the score for the visitors they had wasted several clear cut scoring opportunities which could have put the game beyond the NSW team. As the clock ticked on the tide begun to turn and the Jamie Amendolia / Steven Knight coached team grabbed control of the game and exposed some weaknesses in the Solomon’s defense. None more so when Danny Martinez found himself with a simple tap in chance from 2 metres out following a corner kick that the defenders failed to clear. From then on the first half belonged to the State team with Dylan Maloney scoring after a great pass from Rhys Giovenali and Toby Seeto making it 3-1 after dispossessing a Solomon Islands defender near their “D” and giving the goal keeper no chance with a fine individual goal. The teams went to a well deserved rest with NSW clear leaders by 2 goals.

NSW dominance continued at the start of the second half as they created several good chances which they could not convert. They were made to pay for the missed opportunities as brilliant Elliot Ragomo punished the NSW defence in a lightning counter attack that showed all his skill and class making the score 3-2. From then on the Solomon took control of possession but the resolute NSW defence, aided by some brilliant saves by Peter Spathis, a strong contender for Man of the Match, held them out. As it is usually the case in Futsal, the team under territorial pressure hit back with some great counterattacking play. NSW, against somewhat the run of play, increased their lead when Marino Musumeci scored following an incisive pass from Rhys Giovenali. The goal seemed to affect the young Kurukurus and NSW created a few more chances but failed to seal their win with another goal. In the final few minutes the Solomon Islands team fought back but due to some great saves by Spathis again had to wait until the last minute of play to narrow the margin to 4-3 with a goal by Jack Whetney. The game ended with the Solomons pressing the NSW goal but the locals held firm for a nice win. As the full time went, the appreciative crowd gave both teams a standing ovation.

The game provided much needed match practice for the visitors, while for the local coaches it was a great opportunity to see how their charges are progressing as they prepare in their quest to regain the title of Australian champions to be decided in January at the Nationals in Canberra.

NSW 4 (Danny Martinez, Dylan Maloney, Tobias Seeto, Marino Musumeci) vs. Solomon Islands 3 (Micah Lea’lafa, Elliot Ragomo, Jack Wetney)

NSW Starting 5: 2 Peter Spathis (c), 3 Andrew Nolan, 24 Tobias Seeto, 25 Rhys Giovenali, 10 Adrian Vissari

Subs: 1 James Gullotta, 8 Marino Musumeci, 23 Dylan Maloney, 9 Daniel Fogarty, 6 Ross Fazzalaro, 12 Danny Martinez, 5 Shervin Adeli, 30 Dean Lockhart

Solomon Starting 5: 22 Junior Kogua, 3 Elliot Ragomo (c), 5 Lenson Bisili, 7 James Egeta, 12 Jack Wetney

Subs: 2 Philip Ttou, 4 Jenan Kapu, 6 Moffat Sikwa’ae, 8 Francis Lafai, 9 Micah Lea’lafa, 10 Samuel Osifelo, 11 Ron Gino, 13 Stanley Puairana, 14 Junior Lipka

Source : Robert Varela
Player List via Football NSW Futsal
Published : 8/9/2008

The Womens National Futsal Team is preparing for the first Womens Futsal World Cup to take place in Reus Spain this year. The tournament will run from the 29th September to the 6th of October and Australia is in a group with Italy and Paraguay group,with the top two progressing to the quarter – final.

The World Cup will be attended by 12 teams that qualified last month, Australia is going as the top team in Asia. The countries involved are: Argentina, Australia, Brasil, Colombia, Eslovakia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Paraguay, Czech Republic, Russia and Venezuela.

The players representing Australia are:

Melissa Barbieri – GK – VIC
Sarah Hasted – GK – QLD 
April Mann – QLD
Sarah Garven – QLD
Lailey Tanson – QLD
Jo Burgess – QLD
Jodie Hammond – QLD
Jade Banks – QLD
Greta Kennedy – SA
Seyma Enrely – VIC
Kate Lutkins – QLD
Jasmine Kent – QLD

Coach: Gui Costa – QLD
Assistant Coach: Jeff Hawkins – VIC
Manager: Jennifer Vanderstam – QLD

The team will have a camp from the 22nd to the 25th of September at Acacia Ridge (Brisbane). All are welcome to come and watch or say hello, with players available for photos and autographs after sessions (around 10.30am after the morning sessions or after the afternoon sessions around 4.30pm) .

Coach Gui Costa is happy with the progress of trainings and hopes the team will be ready for their 1st game on the 30th of September in Reus when they face Italy.

“We have a good bunch of players that have been playing the game for a long time. It won’t be an easy task playing against the powerhouse of Futsal in Europe, but I think that we can surprise a lot of people”

Source : Vikings Futsal
Published 6/9/2008 

As many who frequent this site and other Futsal forums would know, there is always a lot of speculation and potential mis-information being bandied about in regards to Futsal NSW.

Frank Rossi has kindly offered to be a contact point for those with genuine questions regarding Futsal in NSW. If you have questions you would like answered, Frank is happy to offer that service. He will answer what he can and let you know honestly if he can’t.

Rather than give his private email address out here on the website, we invite you to send your request to admin@futsal4all.com and we will pass his contact details on to you.

No need to put your specific queston to the Admin address, just a request for his email address.

-Futsal4all Admin

Sydney City Eagles have posted the Mens Grand Final footage from the ‘Football Stars of Tomorrow’ TV program on their website.

Its an excellent clip showing the flow of the game in Magic’s 4-2 win.

Click here to go to the Sydney City Eagles website.

FFAA Executive have confirmed that the Inter-State Championships will again be held in 2009 at the Hills Sports Stadium, Castle Hill over the January Australia Day Weekend (24, 25 &26th).

President of FFAA, – Dave Birch, commented that feedback from the extremely successful 2008 tournament has be taken into account and he expects the 2009 event will be bigger and better and enjoyable for all.

Details will be available on the website by end of September with registrations to be completed by end of November so a draw can be made and published beginning of December.

 

Source : Futsal 5-A-Side Australia
Published : 6/9/2008 

Pumas Futsal Club will be holding ‘come and try sessions’ for 6 to 14 year-olds at the Fawkner Community Centre on the day of the festival. See below for times:

12-1pm – 6 Year olds

1-2pm – 7 & 8 Year olds

2-3pm – 9 & 10 Year olds

3-4pm – 11 & 12 Year olds

4-5pm – 13 & 14 Year olds

This day provides players with the chance to register their names for Pumas Futsal Club’s January 2009 Trials.

There will be other fun activities on the day such as Humphrey B. Bear for the little ones and bands etc for the older ones.

Source : Pumas Futsal
Published : 5/9/2008 

FFT Futsal Term 3 commences Friday the 10th of October. The Football Federation Tasmania website has posted competition info and nomination forms.

Information (PDF)
Team Nominations (PDF)
Player Registration (PDF)

Based on the info sheet there are 16 Age Groups available :

Under 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18
Girls Junior, Girls Youth, Year 7-8, Year 9-10

Games will be played at a number of venues :

Clarence Stadium, Aurora Stadium, Rosny College, Rose Bay High School and Italian Bocce Centre

For further details check out the www.footballfedtas.com.au website or contact Mr Dale Itchins on 0415 568 434 or 6273 3299

Source : Football Federation Tasmania
Published : 4/9/2008

After the success of the Vikings International Futsal Cup some of the players in the Celebrity Futsal Game are keen to turn their hand to Futsal.

The beauty of Futsal is it caters for all no matter what your ability, body shape or skill level.

Many of the celebrities experienced Futsal for the first time during the Vikings International Futsal Cup played in early August. After a slow start they all got into the swing of the game with some outstanding skill shown.

With top athletes like Shane Bond, Julie Seymour, Toni Edmondson, Anna Thompson and former stars such as Brendan Laney, Geoff Allott and Warren Wisneski turning out the game was always going to have an elite element.

Shane Bond was blown away with the pace of the game, while Brendan Laney showed just why Futsal can be a great crossover training game for athletes from all codes. Silverfern captain, Julie Seymour along with her Canterbury Tactix coach, Helen Mahon-Stroud and team mate Anna Thompson found the game fun combining skill, fitness and athleticism for a positive sporting outcome.

Vikings Futsal New Zealand would like to thank all the Celebrities for giving up their time to play and looks foward to seeing many of them on the Futsal pitch in the future.

Picture from the Vikings NZ Website courtesy of Kan Baker Photography. It shows Silver Fern Julie Seymour tackling Vikings DOC Gui Costa.

Source : Vikings Futsal NZ
Published : 4/9/2008

Pumas Futsal Club will be entering its U9, 10, 11 & 12s in VFFC’s 10-week Spring/Summer Futsal League. This league will provide invaluable experience for all Pumas players in a professional playing environment.

ATTENTION U10 & U12
As the matches will take place on Friday nights, they will replace training sessions for Pumas U10s and U12s until the league finishes. These teams will be training by playing the game in a professional environment. Training will recommence following the 10-week league + finals. U9s and U11s will continue training on Thursdays as per usual.

PLAYING SQUADS
Each age group will be split into TWO playing squads due to the competition rules (no more than 8 players per team). Announcements on the squads will be made on www.pumasfutsal.com in the coming week.

WHEN AND WHERE?
The VFFC Futsal League will begin on Friday September 19th and will be held at Melton Indoor Sports Stadium, Coburns Rd, Melton (next to Melton Secondary College). Melway Map:336 – H8

UNIFORM
Players must attend all games in their Nike Pumas playing top, blue shorts, blue football socks and shin pads. No uniform, no play.

PAYMENT
Unfortunately we realize that it’s short notice. We have only just been notified which makes it very frustrating for us also however; all fees must be paid prior to the commencement of the league. This means that: $150 Payment must be made by Friday 12th of September, 2008.

PLEASE NOTE
If you are unable to enter the league please notify us by Sunday 7th September at the very latest as squad changes will then have to be arranged or cancelled.

FIXTURES WILL BE HANDED OUT SHORTLY

We thank you for your patience and co-operation and hope that all our players are able to unite as a club so that we can enter the league together as one unit. We look forward to see all eight of our PUMAS teams doing well in their respective leagues. GO PUMAS!

Source : Pumas Futsal
Published : 4/9/2008