83 Schools put forward a total of 461 teams for the massive 4 week long SEQ (South East Queensland) Vikings Secondary School Titles.

Now only 2 sides in each age group remain and the Champions will be decided this Friday.

The event was co hosted between Cornubia’s Indoor Sporting Complex & Beenleigh’s Arena, which will also host the final showdowns.

Simultaneously, approximately 750 Primary School players from 25 schools, featuring 74 teams Competed in the younger divisions.

The Finals are as follows:

Under 13 Boys
Cavendish Rd S.H.S. ‘A’ V’s Cavendish Rd S.H.S. ‘B’

Under 14 Girls
Cavendish Rd S.H.S V’s Clevelnad S.H.S.

Under 14 Boys
Kawana Waters S.C V’s Shailer Park S.H.S.

Under 15 Boys
Ipswich Grammar V’s Cavendish Rd S.H.S

Under 16 Girls
St. Andrews College V’s Brigidine College

Under 16 Boys
Canterbury College V’s Cavendish Rd S.H.S

Under 19 Girls
Grace Lutheran College V’s Cleveland S.H.S

Under 19 Boys
Browns Plains S.H.S V’s Mansfield S.H.S

www.vikschools.com

Source : Vikings Futsal
Published : 31/3/2009

The Otago School Titles were played on Thursday 26th March at the Edgar Centre, Dunedin.The Otago School Titles were a keenly contested affair held at the Edgar Centre over 6 courts on Thursday March 26th.

It was the largest Otago School Titles so far with numbers up on last year.

The winners and Runners up gain entry into the Champion of Champions tournaments that will be held in Dunedin over Queens birthday long weekend (30th May-1st June). The 2 top placed teams from each area’s school titles will battle it out to be named the champion New Zealand Futsal School team.

The winners and runners up were:

14 Girls
W – Logan Park
RU – Queens

14 Boys
W – OBHS Blue
RU – DNI

16 Girls
W – Logan Park
RU – OGHS

16 Boys
W – OBHS Blue
RU – OBHS Gold

19 Girls
W – Taieri
RU – St Hildas

19 Boys
W – OBHS Blue
RU – OBHS Gold

Source : Vikings NZ
Published : 30/3/2009

Dal Ponte Futsal Academy’s are now running in Dunedin and Christchurch for those wanting to take their game to a new level.

This is the first time the Dal Ponte Academy has been run in New Zealand and is targeted at those who want to learn more about the game and improve their abilities. The academies are open to all and cater for all abilities.

In Dunedin the Academy is run out of Logan Park High School while in Christchurch it run at Linwood College. Each athlete is involved in a 10 week term that focuses on the Futsal Fundamentals. Each athlete is kitted out in an academy strip and is put through their paces but an accredited coach.

The Christchurch Girls Academy will take on the touring Australian girls side on Tuesday March 31st at QE2 Park Stadium with a chance to show their abilities in front of the National selectors.

The Dal Ponte Futsal Academies are designed to run all year round and will be rolled out around New Zealand over the next 12 months

Source : Vikings NZ
Published : 29/3/2009

Pint sized 9yr old Chev Fraser has taken to Futsal with the same gusto as his name would suggest.

At just 9yrs of age, Chev Fraser could be the youngest veteran of any round ball code having been playing football for 5 years. But it’s Futsal thats got his motor running as he darts around the court at lightening speed

As I sat and watched Chev and his team (all similar age) take on an older side (11yrs) you couldn’t help but share in the excitement Chev and his team mates experienced while playing. After every goal his team gave up Chev would grab the ball and run back to halfway with a huge smile and a look of determination and then it happened, Chev received a pass and went around 2 defenders and cooly slotted a goal.

Chev’s idol is Ronaldinho, who himself came from the game of Futsal, and he wants to make a Futsal representative side and play in the bigger tournaments like some of his older friends will do this Easter in Brisbane. He states that his enjoyment comes from the speed of the game and the amount of touches on the ball he gets. Chev usually plays back in football and dosn’r get the chance to shoot very often let alone score.

This is the first season of Futsal in Masterton and with 14 teams battling it out each week the competitions look set to continue to grow. A Wairapa Representative side will head to Brisbane at Easter and take on the other regions from around Australia.

Denis and Robyn Tapp have been instrumental in the success of the growing in Masterton and feel this is just the tip of the iceberg for Futsal in the Region

Keep an eye out for the name Chev Fraser in the future!!

Source : Vikings NZ
Published : 29/3/2009

Day Three of the Penrith Futsal School Regional Championships was the 14 Boys and Girls teams to show their Futsal talent. A relative small day with only 18 teams participating but the quality was there for all to see.

In the 14 Girls age group there were seven schools entered and it meant was a survival of the fittest if you were to progress to the Final. The Final consisted of the two strongest teams through out the day with Kingswood High School A and McCarthy Catholic College Blue. Both these sides had players for the Futsal Premier and Super League and the game was a great spectacle. Kingswood HS took the lead just before half time with a superbly take free kick that cannoned into the roof of the net.

McCarthy CC came out after the break looking for the equalizer and nearly had it but for the post coming to Kinswood HS rescue. Kingswood HS lead by their inspirational captain never took a backward step and they put the game out of McCarthy CC reach with 4miuntes remaining. Full time and the 14 Girls Champions were Kingswood High School.

The 14 Boys also saw the two dominate teams in the competition play off in the final. Xavier Catholic College took on McCarthy Catholic College White and this match will go done as the most entertaining matches of the week so far. The crowd from both schools got into the match and it seem to inspire both schools as they produced some entertaining Futsal with a number of goals being scored and both keepers made to do a lot of work throughout the contest.

Xavier CC was too strong in the end running out with a 7-4 victory over a gallant McCarthy CC White side.

Congratulations to both the winners and runners up on their qualification to Schools State Futsal Championships to be held August 2009.

Football NSW would like to thank all teams who participated throughout the day, and look forward to the seeing the remaining action during the Penrith School Regional Championships.

Results
14 Girls : Kingswood High School A 2 def. McCarthy Catholic College Blue 0
14 Boys : Xavier Catholic College 7 def. McCarthy Catholic College White 4

Source : Football NSW
Published : 26/3/2009

Acrobatic Ipswich Knights goalkeeper Zayne Freiberg will be in the international spotlight when he represents the Australian open side for the first time next week.

However, it won’t be in football where the agile 20-year-old sportsman shows his skills during a five-day televised tournament in Spain.

The Bundamba-based goalie will line up for the Aussies in futsal, the rapid fire indoor sport he has played since he was nine.

After earlier futsal trips to Japan, Brazil and New Zealand, Freiberg is eagerly awaiting his best opportunity yet to impress international scouts.

“It will be exciting to see where I’m at,” Freiberg said, heading for Barcelona tomorrow.

“I’m going with the flow. But if something comes up (an international offer), I’ll definitely have a crack at it.”

Freiberg and another Ipswich player Scott Fenn showed how serious they were about pursuing their futsal careers by heading to Brazil in 2007. They trained and played against some of the world’s best futsal exponents.

Fenn has since gone to China, where he’s chasing a professional contract.

Now it’s Freiberg’s turn, having recently been called into the Australian side after impressing at the national titles.

He has exceptional agility and reads the game well, perhaps surprisingly for someone so laidback and easygoing.

However, on the football field and futsal court, Freiberg is a fearless competitor who loves shutting down attackers.

“I’m feeling really good. I’m in really good form at the moment,” he said, being part of the unbeaten Knights Division 1 football side.

The West Moreton futsal team goalie also shared in Queensland’s latest major futsal success – winning the national titles in Sydney earlier this year.

In Barcelona, the Australians are expecting to play teams from France, Canada, Russia, Belgium, Argentina and Morocco. The tournament from April 1-5 is being televised by Fox Sports.

While he appreciates the encouragement of family and friends, Freiberg is also grateful for the time his employer RT Edwards gives him to chase his sporting dream.

“They are definitely supportive,” he said, working in the credit returns and stock section at the company’s Raceview depot.

“Not many people would let you go (on these trips) on such short notice.”

Source : The Queensland Times
Published : 26/3/2009

Day Two of the Penrith Futsal School Regional Championships was the primary schools day to show their skills across the group phase and finals format. With 30 teams participating in the following age groups 10 Boys & Girls and 12 Boys and Girls.

In the 10 Boys final Our Lady of the Nativity A took on Banks Public School in a closely contested final. Our Lady of the Nativity started strongly playing some nice attacking Futsal, however Banks PS never gave in and fought hard to get back into the contest. It was not enough as they went down to Our Lady of the Nativity 3-2. Also a special mention to the Our Lady of the Nativity boys as they played all day with only 5 players and managed to hold on to win.

In the 10 Girls Our Lady of the Nativity ran out victors on forfeit after a mix up with Banks Public School which seen leave the venue early and miss the final.

In the Match of the day the 12 Boys final between Our Lady of the Nativity A and Nepean Christian School was action packed with both sides having a number opportunities to take the victory. Our Lady of the Nativity took the spoils with a narrow 1-0 victory to be crowned 12 Boys champions.

The 12 Girls final was also of exceptional quality with Our Lady of the Nativity B continuing their duel with Banks Public School. Our Lady of the Nativity started the stronger of the two teams and skipped away to an early 3-0 lead Banks PS never gave up as they pushed Our Lady of the Nativity all the way to the end. Our Lady of the Nativity took the win with a 5-1 Result.

Congratulations to both the winners and runners up on their qualification to Schools State Futsal Championships to be held August 2009.

Football NSW would like to thank all teams who participated throughout the day, and look forward to the seeing the remaining action during the Penrith School Regional Championships.

Results
10 Boys : Our Lady of the Nativity A 3 def. Banks Public School 2
10 Girls : Our Lady of the Nativity 6 def. Banks Public School 0
12 Boys : Our Lady of the Nativity A 1 def. Nepean Christian School 0
12 Girls : Our Lady of the Nativity B 5 def. Banks Public School 1

Source : Football NSW
Published : 25/3/2009

VIKINGS FUTSAL STADIUM GETS GO AHEAD IN NORTH QUEENSLAND

It was big news in North Queensland yesterday when Vikings Futsal FNQ new 6 court stadium was finally approved by council. The stadium has been in the planning process for 2 years and now has come to fruition.

Besides the six courts the centre will also house a gym, four change rooms, meeting room, offices for 4 people, kiosk and THE FUTEBOL SHOP CAIRNS on site.

The building of the stadium is being managed and funded by local futsal identity and benefactor Charlie Marino, who has been sponsoring futsal in the north for years. Besides the indoor stadium in the area, there will also be a major shopping centre, tavern with accommodation and major fast food outlets. With the building of the centre, Cairns will now be in a position to hold major events.

News Article from the Cairns Post :

Work to start on $6m futsal complex in Cairns

Cairns is to have a $6 million international standard futsal (indoor soccer) stadium next year.

The stadium will be built at Redlynch following agreement by the Cairns Regional Council to allow commercial facilities – including a tavern and fast-food outlets – to be built at the same time.

In November the project put forward by Charlie and Joe Marino and their companies C20 and Jored Holdings was in doubt after the council imposed a condition that the six-court stadium be built before the commercial aspects of Redlynch Central Sports.

Charlie Marino argued at the time that for the project to be viable, the commercial part of the development needed to be built first to give a cash flow for the sport stadium project.

Last week, the council agreed to allow the restaurants and tavern to be started before the stadium, but they all have to be stage 1 of the development.

Mr Marino said while he accepted the condition, it still imposed a heavy impost to organise the finance to build both components at the one time.

“We are now looking to move ahead with the project,” Mr Marino said.

“Civil engineering works will start this year and the likelihood is some of the commercial aspect will also be started.

“The futsal stadium will be ready next year,” he confidently said.

Design work was continuing on the stadium which will feature four open-sided courts designed specifically for the region’s weather conditions.

There are more than 2000 registered futsal players in Far North Queensland, 1500 of them in Cairns.

Despite its growth, the sport has been held back by a lack of facilities, being forced to share courts with established basketball, netball and volleyball competitions.

The establishment of the stadium had the potential to see Cairns become a national centre for the sport as a venue for regional, state and international tournaments as well as a major training centre for national teams.

There was only one objection to the development proposal and time has now expired for an appeal to the Land and Environment Court.

Source : Vikings Futsal & The Cairns Post
By : Tony Cifuentes (Vikings) & Greg Punshon (Cairns Post)
Published : 26/3/2009

Young Gladstone futsal player, Izzy Wilmshurst, is preparing to venture on a trip of a lifetime.

The 15-year-old will travel to the United Kingdom as part of the U15 girls Australian Vikings futsal team.

The Chanel College student earned her place on the team after a strong performance for the Queensland team at national titles in Melbourne last year, but admits she wasn’t expecting the call up.

“I was playing in Melbourne, and then a few days later I got a letter saying I had been selected,” Wilmshurst said.

The surprise of selection aside, Izzy said she was excited about her overseas tour.

“I’m looking forward to it,” she said.

Although the young player is unsure of what to expect with regards to the playing standard over there.

“I’ve got no idea what it’ll be like,” she said.

Izzy has been playing football since she was five-years-old, but has only been involved in futsal for the last three years.

Preferring to play as a defender, she has been playing in a local weekly competition to keep up her skills, while also involved in schools’ futsal tournaments in Gladstone.

Last month she was part of a Chanel team which won the Gladstone division of the Interschool Futsal Challenge.

Izzy is one of twelve players selected from around the nation for the tour, and will travel to a training camp on April 14 before jetting of to London.

Not just there for the playing experience though, the Australian team will get the opportunity to do some tourist activities around the English capital.

Although not her first time travelling to Britain, Wilmshurst said she was looking forward to taking in the sights.

“We’ll do a little bit of tourist stuff too, so that’ll be fun,” she said.

From a playing perspective, the players will travel to Wales and Northern England, visiting Tranmere and Southport in Merseyside and Grimsby in Lincolnshire.

Futsal has experienced a boom in recent years in Australia, with the sport only played in Gladstone for about six years.

Some of the world’s most famous footballers including Christiano Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Pele all started their playing days with the indoor version of the game.

Played on a smaller pitch and with a heavier ball, the game allows players to develop quick feet and ball skills.

A handful of players from Gladstone over the past few years have earned selection for national teams, showing the city can produce futsal talent.

Izzy’s selection at this level has proven that players from regional centres are able to mix it with the best in the country.

Source : The Gladstone Observer
By : Liam Butterworth
Published : 25/3/2009

Tuesday saw day one of the Penrith Futsal school regional championships with the under 16 and 19 Boys age groups being contested.With 30 teams vying for the top two positions in each age group the competition was intense from the opening whistle at 8am.

In the 19 Boys Final, giant killers Birrong Boys HS who had shocked all with their flair and enthusiasm made it through to meet St Clair HS. St Clair played some great Futsal over the course of the day and it shaped up to be a mouth watering end to a day of drama. However St Clair with there crisp passing and rapid ball movement were too strong on the day as they ran out 19 Boys champions by 3 – 1.

In the 16 Boys, St Agnes Catholic High School took on McCarthy Catholic College White. Both sides played some great Futsal on their way to the final. The game was and end to end affair with both sides playing attacking Futsal and creating a number of Chances. St Agnes Catholic High School ran out victorious on the day by 6 – 1.

Congratulations to both the winners and runners up on their qualification to Schools State Futsal Championships to be held August 2009.

Football NSW would like to thank all teams who participated throughout the day, and look forward to the seeing the remaining action during the Penrith School Regional.

16 Boys : St Agnes Catholic H.S. 6 – McCarthy Catholic College White 1

19 Boys : St Claire H.S. 3 – Birrong Boys H.S. 1

Source : Football NSW
Published : 24/3/2009