Vikings NSW Update
Vikings NSW is pleased to announce with the continued support of Belgravia Leisure that the Michael Wenden Aquatic Centre will not only be home of the Vikings Operations office here in Sydney but also an important step in our development of futsal.
Having secured court space throughout the winter and summer at Michael Wenden Aquatic Centre we are excited to see such an opportunity to develop the sport of Futsal in the south west of Sydney.
The South West of Sydney has traditionally been a breeding ground for talented Futsal players over the years and we must look towards the future, this means this area must be identified as vital to the development of the sport in Sydney. This association with the Michael Wenden Aquatic Centre is viewed as being a huge step in continuing this tradition into the future.
“This will strengthen the foothold of Vikings Futsal at the Michael Wenden Aquatic centre and we look forward to what lies ahead”
- NSW VIKINGS CEO BOB RASO
David McConnell Centre Manager of Michael Wenden Aquatic Centre and Bob Raso NSW CEO
Want to develop your skills and be part of this development???
Contact NSW Vikings on 02 9825 0997 or nswinfo@vikingsfutsal.com for information regarding upcoming events and competitions.
Source : Illawarra Vikings
Published : 24/3/2009
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Isnt this the same ‘Belgravia ‘ that football NSW futsal was claiming to have “gained” this year……or were they just jumping the gun….AGAIN !
I always tended to believe what their main man (Frank) said, but pictures dont lie do they ? Damn! It looks like Bob Raso is using that anti ageing cream again ! (Dont you just hate some people ! lol)
NSW is abviously the battle ground as it has the most to gain (or lose.) Will this ever end? The infighting and politics have been rife in futsal since I started playing 20 years ago. I am totally over it and glad my only involvement is organising some school futsal events.
Can all parties involved in the game put the players and the well being of the game first ahead of politiking and money-making for a change.
Hey dMac, the saying – ‘politics and sport’ dont mix , has been around since Adam played fullback for the big “J” team ! Is it coincidence that the Futsal poll on this site is divided exactly 50 -50 on ‘ freedom of speech’ (under aliases).
As a not for profit sporting body I cannot imagine any Vikings supporter voting in the negative as Vikings have nothing to hide or be ashamed of . “Stirring up trouble unnecessarily “? – All I see on here is Vikings facts and correction of misguided or ill informed opinions of their detractors.
Personally I believe NSW is in a win – win situation as there is now a choice, If you are not convinced that Football NSW Futsal are putting all of their money back into futsal development or that they are not offering the best ‘product’, then try the premier futsal organisation who is focused on improving/developing the sport – long term – VIKINGS !
I wasnt specifically referring to Vikings, just sick of the fighting. Ive played and coached in many Vikings comps, and state teams here in Brisbane so if Vikings are a better alternative than Football NSW then we are all stuffed.
My point was, there is more action off the court than on it. FFA didnt quite get it right when the used the Crawford Report to take control back from the private operators, instead they have given it to state football bodies who are already cash strapped, and see futsal as a way to increase their revenue. FFA should have set up independent state bodies for futsal (on the same lines as the state football bodies, but not linked to them, other than that they all report to the FFA.) Id happily volunteer my time to administer the sport and take it forward if my skills and abilities were able to help, but I wont be waiting by the phone.
I notice Football Qld have been very quiet lately, I wonder what has been going on behind the scenes. I believe Vikings had a meeting with FFA a few months ago. Has anything been made public about this?
We will never go forward unless everyone who is involved in the game is united, working together and sharing resources and knowledge. I never saw it in my playing life, and Im starting to wonder if I’ll ever see it in my coaching life now….
I think youve really got something dMac…..What with your innovative ideas, Henk designing and buying the strips, Alistair M giving Henks’ choices his blessing and Frank heading up a posse of committees (sorry if Ive used the incorrect collective noun ?)…how could your independent futsal family fail.
One thing though, it was funnier than Haha Henks blonde joke !
dmac in you comments you state that you have coached with Vikings and make the comment that if they are a better alternative than Football NSW we are all stuffed”
Firtsly if you feel that way then please have no further association with Vikings!
Whats the alternative?Play at a Football Qld comp that is on Gold Coast or some other club that is listed and advertised but doesn’t run? Sure Vikings may make mistakes now and probably will in future but that’s how you learn.
I haven’t seen anyone else FFA or FQ put up their hand and do anything about the sport , they either don’t want to or cant because of costs.
The argument of money making venture is getting a bit old …it’s still a good head line but not worth the time it takes to read it… why do you think the Australian taxpayer has had to bail out FFA and numerous other sports to the tune of millions of dollars in the last 5-10 years
They simply don’t make money!
Any business manger will tell you that if you just want to cover costs and not make a profit then your days are numbered because inflation, bad debts, and other blow outs will soon catch you up
There is no pot of gold hidden in Vikings, but they have taken the approach that in order to be around for the long run you need to have income…. weekly match fees and registrations wont do the development of what the sport needs.
Governments wont bail out sport forever, those days are now over.
If Vikings are meeting with FFA so what ! I am sure others have had meetings with them as well … but people only seem focused on Vikings
In relation to Football Qld being quiet …you do know its Football season, Futsal not a high priority till end of year.
Which is why we deserve a national body that is focused on Futsal to make sure it’s not just a money making venture to prop up football.
I am sure that if there’s a National Body put up Vikings would have no problems with that and want to be a part of it. But don’t ask them to simply sit on their hands and do nothing or stop what they are doing and have done for years
They were formed because no one was doing anything about the sport, 17 years on they are stronger and larger than ever, why is that ……they fill the gap in sport development and growth through out Australia , they are proactive not reactive.
Lets be honest should not the National and State bodies have being doing just that also?
Crawford report was a waste of taxpayers money but for Soccer Australia to get bailed out by the taxpayer out of bankruptcy they had to do it.
When there’s something out there that’s better alternative lets hear about it
It is admirable that you would volunteer you time to administer the sport, from a Vikings point of view you would be talking about a schools comp that has approx 2000 teams playing , a club playing base of upwards of 30,000, Regional titles in all states, National schools tournament that last year ran at a 15 court stadium for 3 days, National Title comp, and much more, unfortunately you wont find volunteers that want to put in those sort or hours, but if you do then call the Brisbane office I am sure they would not say no to you
good luck in the future
I love how Vikings staff come on here all the time and give us wonderful information about what they are doing. I dont care.
I think every group who claim to have a stake in the game only have their own interests at heart, but my biggest problem with all these groups is that they cannot work together to organise this great game properly so we can really move forward.
I played at Chandler both before it split from Qld Futsal and after. I went to Sydney when we had 2 nationals in the 90s. I though that was all behind us but here we are again, its 2009 and we have 2 nationals, no proper national league, and it costs a fortune to send your kid to a competition that is highly likely to be poorly run, with low quality teams, poor referees, poor coaching, etc.
Its a shame because I really enjoyed playing it, and I like coaching it but I wonder if this crap will ever go away and we can all work together in harmony for the best interests of the game.
Please, I dont want Vikings staff telling what they do for the game, weve heard it all before, I dont have a particular problem with them any more than i do with any of the other operators, be they state football bodies, or other private operators, I just want futsal to grow, and it appears we take 1 step forward and 2 backwards.
I think you hit it on the head …”We have heard it all before” you comment are common place from anyone who disagrees with Vikings and anything they do
I do agree 1 step forward and one backwards, but who is doing anything else about it really?
I don’t mean to put up that they are the best option but I don’t see any competition coming close to them with infrastructure to do what they do at the moment.
cheers
So dMac, for years you were putting your money into the pockets pf private operators – who put little or nothing back into the sport. Now you want to close your eyes, hope all the bad bits go away and wake up with one unified sport…uhuh ?
Now what is your second fairytale wish …………?
Zacariah, I agree with you that they are the best option. They are the only real option at the moment. FQld havent got a clue, and there are lots of private operators and indoor cricket centres but nothing of any quality. And maybe I am offering nothing new, but if there are all these people on here wanting what I wish for, why dont we all get together and make it happen?
Yes F.SALA I was putting money into private operators at Chandler. For 2 reasons:
1. I wanted to play in the best competition in Qld (even Alastair admitted it was the best club competition.)
2. Private operators were the only option.
There is so much sarcasm in your posts I dont know whether to take you seriously or not.
Guys, I understand you have your jobs to protect, and I admire your loyalty to your employer, but just because Vikings is the best alternative, doesnt mean it is the utopian model for futsal. I keep saying it, my criticism is of all operators, not Vikings specifically, it just happened that I posted on a Vikings news entry. Good luck to Vikings in NSW, maybe if there is real choice for players, AND the ability to all play in the one competition things will improve for them.
I have always questioned the direction of the sport, even as a player, so its not really a case of ignoring it while i played and then jumping up and down now. I got my hopes up when FFA got involved but obviously that has proven to be a false dawn.
I will say it again, we had 2 nationals with the best players split, no national league, referees are getting worse instead of better, we have no coaching plan, no development plan, no direction, no vision…..
dMac,
Nothing wrong with putting your money into private operators in the past…especially when you played at Chandler because as you suggested you were paying to play in the strongest weekly ‘A’ Grade competition in Qld. Players use to travel from as far away as Toowoomba & the Gold Coast just to play at that centre.
My sarcasm is usually triggered by stupid comments or statements dMac. We all agree one unified body is what we are all after, then some goose says KEEP POLITICS OUT OF THE SPORT !( People get on here and whinge about a selection process ? The guy running Vikings?, the term FIFUSA or AMF ? ! Them v. Us ?, Colours of playing shirts ? etc etc…Keep politics out of Futsal ???
IT WONT HAPPEN !
Is Vikings the best option currently ? – Yes ! Is Vikings perfect ? – No ! Can Vikings be improved ? – Most definitely ! Are politics involved within Vikings ? – Of course !
Hard work, the right proactive people in the right jobs and a sh**load of money will help get it rolling………there’s no simple solution. Sitting back praying may help but it will take longer ! lol
F.SALA, Im actually working pretty hard to help move futsal forward by running school comps and applying to have futsal fully recognised by Queensland School Sport so that it is then a legitimate school sport. So im not just sitting back praying or whinging on a forum. Of course if i didnt actually have to teach I would have more time to drive this forward. That might seem like a small step but each step helps. This is where I can do some good hopefully, and I dont have to worry about dealing with FQld, Vikings, OzSports, etc, etc too often.
If your sarcasm is frustration at stupid comments on forums maybe you need to stop reading the forums for a while. All I said in my original post was I wished an end to the division and self interest.
Justin, it was definately the best comp around, Bob ran a pretty good operation out there. Always on time, decent referees (not that I agreed with them too often as a player,) superb facility, high quality teams. I dont remember getting too many easy games in A grade, every week was tough, which is where most other leagues fall down, depth of quality teams.
Tell us more please about your school efforts in Qld dMac, aren’t Vikings involved in that area????
……………and its amusement not frustration………… ! “end division and self interest ?” Now lets hear your plan of action to get that result ????
Perhaps this Vikings Vs FFA competition is a healthy thing?
What would happen if there was only one provider?
My pockets shudder contemplating it (and they are pretty empty after paying several player registration fees for the 2009 outdoor competition)
Let’s keep all the providers and the competition that goes with that – maybe now, with all this economic turmoil, is not a good time to threaten peoples’ jobs.
In fact in an effort to boost the economy and keep jobs safe I hereby declare that:
FFA can have a slice of my pie for the outdoor game.
Vikings can have the other slice for their year round futsal comps.
Play nice boys!
F.SALA why would I waste my time telling you what I am doing? You have never offered anything positive on this website. All you contribute is sarcasm and so called wity commentary on a forum where people are contributing their thoughts on the (poor) state of the game. I particularly loved your work in the Viking Armada topic. Hilarious stuff mate, your in the wrong gig, comedy is your ticket to fame.
As I thought dMac = just more lip service ! Cant quite put into words all the work you are doing ? I thought I may be able to offer some positive assistance but the balls in your court…………………………………..?
If you genuinely want to help give me a call 0450 928 008. Happy to chat if you think you can help us get QSS approval, or help us with the 40 odd school tournaments we run in SE Qld.
F.SALA, no phone call? I am genuine about you helping me. Or is it all talk for a forum?
Does this jog your memory as to the Michael Wenden Centre Bob? Caught out again! How is your “friend” Iona who owes so much to Vikings? Have you called dMac yet? Sorry it’s the school holidays again.
You’ve got me under your skin ….! lol
Sorry Mr Henk, Ive been real slow ! You think I’m Bob Raso..hahahahahahahaha I think you’re a girls blouse ! Wrong again, like all the other garbage you throw on here…wakey wakey !
hey F.sala. your comments are unappreciated and your personal attacks on people is uncalled for. i honestly think you’re insane and need to get treatment.
F.Sala
Vikings must be very proud to see your comments on nearly every news article on this site. The intelligence and knowledge of the game is outstanding. You are a real model for Vikings!
Regan – you should look into create a site/page for F.Sala so he can go off and play with him self & leave the rest of the site to people who have something relavent to say.
now waiting for the classy comeback…
Isnt this the same ‘Belgravia ‘ that football NSW futsal was claiming to have “gained” this year……or were they just jumping the gun….AGAIN !
I always tended to believe what their main man (Frank) said, but pictures dont lie do they ? Damn! It looks like Bob Raso is using that anti ageing cream again ! (Dont you just hate some people ! lol)
F.SALA on March 27th, 2009 8:09 pm.
Are you man enough to admit that Frank Rossi was right and you were wrong?
Frank Rossi is an official of Football NSW. He uses his real name in this website. He answers questions within his responsibilities without denigrating anyone. F.Sala is an official of Vikings, he hides behind an alias. He evades questions, gives false or misleading information and uses sarcasm thinking that he is funny. Which organisation would YOU rather be affiliated with?
Henky, I do NOT write on here representing anyone but myself. I left the site some time ago through boredom but returned after being asked several times by different people !
Yes I am opinionated, yes I dont suffer fools gladly, yes I have officiated at FFA AND Vikings Nationals, yes I have been around futsal longer than most. Yes I dont constantly support people and things I know nothing about in other States/Territories. Yes I understand that people like Frank Rossi cannot divulge everything on here, Yes I dont like football “raping” futsal ! Yes I know the truth hurts sometimes
….get over it !
Is the pen mightier than the sword ? ……….. you betcha !
Having followed this website for the last few months, I would give Henk 10, FSala 0 for points scoring.
I like it how F.Sala calls Henk by the name Henky all the time! Always gets me laughing…
Is it really appropriate that Frank is answering questions on this forum? To basically anonymous people. If someone really wants to know something they have the avenue to contact him directly (as shown on F4A)
Really there are only a handfull who write on here and it is nothing more than a forum to express opinion.
Henk v F.Sala…. lol a victorian against a new south welsh queenslander no chance for a victorian lol
Whats wrong with Frank answering questions? Its good that someone who is in the know is willing to share their time on here to answer questions, whether they are from anonymous people or not.
Hey F.SALA – perhaps change your name to Tom Miletic?
;)
I only asked the question as he really has no idea who is asking and what their agenda is. Some of the directional answers ie passing of contact details on all makes sense but answering something that appears as FNSW policy when asked by who knows who on a public forum just seems a little dangerous….. if they need to know they would be better off contacting the office would the not. And to play the devils advocate…. how do we know it’s really Frank answering….
I mean no malice by my comment
@Ole,
You’re absolutely right and I do dislike answering anonymous questions but my job as an elected official is to reply to people’s questions that pertain to my position as chairperson of a FNSW committee that has a hand in determining policy. I do not play Devil’s Advocate as there’s way too much competition for that role but you’re more than welcome to contact this site’s Administrator and obtain my direct contact details as everyone on here is.
Ole why don’t you contact Frank and get the real story about where the money from futsal goes to?
Personally, I’m glad Frank comes on and passes comments (be they FNSW sanctioned or personal it’s really irrelevant). At least I know where his interests lay (that being Futsal generally), can put a face to the name and if I really had an issue could take it up face to face.
james……can you elaborate on why you are saying for fsal to call himself that name.
F.Sala/Henk,
If you ARE infact knowledgeable or an employee like myself I think we are best to stay off this forum and let the punters do the talking…… You will find that most people are smart enough to work out what is going on in the REAL Futsal world without you filling them in…. Just let people like Frank Rossi write his rubbish on here and don’t get involved…..
Let’s make this forum more about finding out what the public wants and what interests them because at the moment anyone who comes on that are just parents or players, seem to get shut down and caught in the whole FFA vs Vikings thing when really its about letting the kids play!!!!
So, vikings employee, rather than denigrate Frank Rossi, please tell us what exactly is going on in the Metropolitan area with the Vikings?
Where are the new centres?
Any work with schools yet?
What is happening with your Elite leagues? 1 division or 2? Who are the teams?
@ FSala
“Sorry Mr Henk, Ive been real slow ! You think I’m Bob Raso..hahahahahahahaha I think you’re a girls blouse ! Wrong again, like all the other garbage you throw on here…wakey wakey !”
No, you are not Bob Raso but you share the same stature in many ways…
@ vikings employee.
Good to see your professional accepting attitude towards others within the sport. I have more confidence in a person who is willing to put their name on the line (even if I don’t fully agree with his opinions) rather than someone who doesn’t show their face.
i still can’t believe the animosity apparent between so many posters. I support Vikings, because in WA, Vikings have done more in 5 months then Football West has done in 5 years over here (they still don’t have a single standing member for Futsal in any of their 8 committees).
It’s hard for me to comment on the support offered by either organization in the other states, however what i just don’t understand is the amount of crap that gets said about either side.
Surely the point at the end of the day, is encouraging further growth in the sport by all concerned. Whether money is made in the process or not, to me is irrelevant. On that note, i’d like to add that for Nationals in January, Football West were charging players $2600 to attend(at least 4 players couldn’t afford this – surprise surprise). They would NOT offer a break down of those costs. So the WA team went to Vikings nationals, where the total cost of the trip came in at around $1000, and we had added support from Vikings.
The other aspect that frustrates me, is reading the derogatory comments about Vikings camps, and how it’s a waste of money. Surely, this gets more experience and exposure to those players that do attend. It’s not like they’re being forced. i WISH there was an overseas camp arranged by ANYONE in WA. Hell, i just wish there was Perth league that wasn’t run by rec center, and played by the Fifa sanctioned Futsal rules… Oh wait, Vikings set that up this year (looking at the waste of space that is football west).
It’s just amazing reading all the one sided comments every day, like everyone is an employee and has to defend their company. It’s rubbish. there’s are almost no objective views (obviously i feel that football west have done nothing, but that’s due to them doing nothing. At least you guys have 2 organizations doing something!).
Personally, i feel that the two sides need to work together to have a single nationally run organization, but in the mean time, you can’t complain about a company (Vikings) that can run a profitable organization promoting Futsal throughout the country (and overseas i believe), whilst FNSW et all, run competitions as well.
If Vikings just stepped down, i guarantee you would see a reduction in numbers across Australia. That’s not to say everything they do is great, but they are a company, and they do what companies do. Make money. And if they promote Futsal while they do it, well GOOD.
I absolutely agree with you. Vikings have done a wonderfull job to be able to promote the sport in States where the Football Community didn’t care and still don’t. Attitudes are slowly changing but the fact that you don’t have a working Futsal Standing Committee is a big problem.
Brad, why don’t you become a futsal standing committee member in WA and improve things instead of whinging about it?
i honestly considered it. however, time is not on my side. I also considered becoming the Vikings contact in Perth, but again, i don’t have the time. I train 4 nights a week, play 2 games a week, work 9-5 and regularly work overtime on weekends.
i have precious little time to myself as is(and hear enough of that fact from my fiance). Whilst i may complain about Football West, i don’t think it is without merit. I’ve been in conversation with Football West over the last 2 years about Futsal in WA, and i hear a lot of “plans” for the future, yet have not seen ANY action from them whatsoever. However, Vikings have actually taken a step and done something, to which i congratulate them.
I personally would prefer if Football West arranged to support Vikings (or visa versa) to have an official league, that is promoted by WA’s official Football authority.
Quite frankly i don’t think that’s going to happen. At this point in time i’m more likely to assist Vikings who HAVE acted, and have requested further help where possible from the state squad. I’ll probably end up assisting in some junior development programs they are looking at implementing later this year.
Brad, did it cost the WA Ladies and Junior teams $2600 to go to the FFA Canberra Nationals this year?
WA, SA, Country NSW, Tasmania, Country Victoria, North Queensland, New Zealand…….
Sounds like Vikings do a lot in those states where quote from Frank “the football community didn’t care and still don’t”…… Perhaps the community cared but had no pathways?
It’s funny though that if all of these federations don’t care that FFA continues to try and get them to run Futsal? Is this because Futsal is run in NSW for a large revenue and anything NSW Football come up with the rest of the country MUST follow?
Or is FFA actually FNSW in disguise?
@ brasileira “Is this because Futsal is run in NSW for a large revenue”
…and the other states don’t make money from it?? OMG! Vikings is a business. A business MUST make money (aka revenue) or it goes broke and I don’t notice Vikings fading away anywhere or staff members whinging about lack of wages. They are doing well because they are trying to expand and have done so without any real competition in areas other than NSW Metro.
BTW, I’d prefer all to come under FFA (and drive FFA) to provide a stronger sport in all areas.
@brasileira
NSW run Futsal on the template that was set by the Crawford Report and then accepted by FFA. All other State Associations have also adopted this template and are now (at various degrees of success), moving to implement. QLD (through its provider)was part of that untill the falling out recently. Yes some States have been slower but that doesn’t mean the concept is a bad one.
template set out by the Crawford report… lets just say it’s a very loose template for both football and Futsal. I’m not even sure any of the State bodies have adopted EVERY part set out in the crawford report…. I’m guessing this is why the FFA has now commissioned a review for Futsal… ofcourse we are all still waiting while the Football CEO’s mull over it.
I was not aware there was a “falling out” in Qld between FQ and Futsal providers?
@Ole
yes Alistair was the Futsal Provider for FQLD and thus meeting their obligations of the Crawford report. I think a few years ago now, there was a falling out over having a competition in Vic and then not attending the Nationals and finaly FQLD revoked their contract.
I should say – or so I bilieve !
But for years Alistair and I both sat on the National Committee as did most other States.
@ Simon
Yes, from my discussions with them (i currently play mixed with some of the women) i believe that was the fee they paid to partake in Nationals.
They too are now looking at competing at the Vikings nationals, as the competition is strong, and the cost is less then half of what is offered by Football West (and the Juniors are coming to Vikings as well).
Contrary to what some might think, i would prefer a single national tournament that is held by FFA. Quite frankly, at least for WA, a number of players can’t afford to pay that much to represent their state. Not when a comparable competition exists that is far cheaper. Therefore, in the meantime, i’ll continue to support the organizations that support us(currently that’s Vikings), and i wish them all the best in their endeavors in WA and in other states.
I can only assume that under Vikings more players can afford to get the experience they need to become better players.
Though i will reiterate, that i wish FFA and Vikings could come under one banner.
Hey I have it???
Instead of paying thousands on feasibility studies and reports and reviews etc etc……….
Why doesn’t FFA let an independant body run Futsal for them, and support it. This way it would be the strongest competition and players would develop through Futsal and then come up through the ranks and move to Football.
Or has someone thought of that already?
Sorry. I don’t see why this just doesn’t happen?
Football West will have teams in Canberra so time will tell which is the better comp.
@talk If you read the comments by Frank, the National Futsal Committee was established by FFA to run futsal. However only ACT, NSW and Queensland actively promoted futsal within the States. The other States are now slowly coming around to doing so.
Talk, you said – players would develop through Futsal and then come up through the ranks and move to Football.
Can we please get one thing straight…..
Futsal IS a sport in its own right and not a training tool for outdoor. Why do alot of outdoor players struggle to adapt to Futsal?
Simply because most of them do not have enough skill and touch – pure and simple.
Cricket embraces all of its various versions of the game whilst many still have this stoneage view that nothing else exists beyond an outdoor 11 a-side game.
Why can’t we do the same?
@Beaver
Futsal is a sport in its own right. However don’t pretend that all futsal players will only play futsal given the opportunity. They will play both because they love both sports.
The sooner people (football and futsal) realise that players want to play both the better off we will be. Some elite players may specialise in futsal as some will specialise in football, but this is also part of the us vs them issue that needs to be corrected (and currently IMO the fault is more with football than futsal).
We need to show football people (players, officials and administrators) the beauty, speed and skill futsal offers (and get rid of this ‘toe punters’ mentality).
@PJ
Not sure where I said/pretended that all Futsal players will only play Futsal and not outdoor.
I was simply addressing one issue – that many seem to think of Futsal as a training tool to advance outdoor.
But to your seperate issue of players not likely to specialise in Futsal…
If only we had a federation that gave players a proper pathway, maybe some regular & meaningful competitions both state and national. Then players could really choose. Hah! The Federation giving a crap about Futsal – now I’m dreaming!
@Paul
“Football West will have teams in Canberra so time will tell which is the better comp.”
Do you happen to know which teams Football West will be sending? As far as i know (being in the team and all) there will not be an Open means team. I’m quite certain there will not be any junior boys teams. Furtehrmore, i’m quite certain that there will not a be women’s team in Canberra.
I agree only time will tell, but now that Vikings is supporting all of the WA teams including the Under 16’s(that went to Canberra in Jan) the Open Mens(that went to Sydney), and given that half of the women are now playing in Vikings competitions held in Perth, it would be fair to say, that i would not be surprised to see all three teams competing at the Vikings Nationals, where they have been supported by that organization.
I can only speak for us, but Vikings have done a LOT to make things easy for us, where Football West haven’t done anything. Why would we turn our back on that, and pay over $2500 EACH to attend a tournament in Canberra representing Football West who did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to support us. They don’t organize anything.
Only time will tell.
WA ladies have been to Canberra the past 2 years; will they be going to the Vikings Nationals in 2010?
This year was the first year any WA team played with Vikings. However, the experience was such that we’ve encouraged the youth mens(some of whom train with the open men) to make the switch, as well as the women, some of whom are currently competing in a Mens competition (they constitute the only mixed team in that comp) run by Vikings. I would suggest that you would see 3 teams at Vikings Nationals(open mens, open womens, and youth mens) – or at least that’s where i’d put my money. I wouldn’t expect either the Youth Men or Women to go to Canberra, but hey, they might. It’s just that both teams are now associated with Vikings, where as previously they weren’t, and at least in WA, Vikings offer more support then Football West do.
As i’ve said before, i’d prefer it to be all under one banner, but until then, i’ll support the organizations that support me. Since i don’t play Outdoor, Football West are as important to me as Netball WA. In fact, it’s a bit of a toss up as to which organization has done more to support futsal… hmmmm
(that was low, i’ll rescind that last comment)
@Brad. A quick email to Football West as all it took me to get the following reply. “Yes we will be sending teams. age groups will be 12’s 14’s 15’s boys women’s open.
Trial dates are to be set and will be posted on our web site as soon as we have them finalised.
Venues will be central for both the trials and the training.
Regards
Warren Grieve.
Warren.Grieve@footballwest.com.au
Brad, if you read the above article re Belgravia Leisure, you will see that Vikings pronuncements somehow, usually do not come true.
paul i am sending 18 teams in every age group for ffa nationals and then i will also send 82 teams in each age group to vikings nationals and a further 62 teams on overseas tours this year from my school gym on flinders island…… lol
trials will be held in the community hall.
since i have said we will have those teams then they should definitely go ahead.
all i need is a few trials and kids will flock won’t they?
do i need to do anything else?
laughable above comments!
@Paul
I was at the Football West trials last year. The team that was selected to play, to represent Football West and WA, went to the Vikings nationals. Only two other teams were created as far as i know. An open Womens, and Youth Men’s(under 16’s).
I’m only referring to these 3 teams, and i expect to see at Vikings Nationals an Open Men’s, Youth Mens, and Open Womens.
Football West can hold tryouts for Open Mens with a new coach, and new players, and send a mickey mouse team if they want. However, it won’t be the strongest team WA can field.
I apologize if i wasn’t clear on my meaning. When i was referring to Football West sending a team to Nationals, i was referring to Open Mens specifically. Additionally, as i mentioned, i don’t expect them to have an Open Womens, or a Youth Mens.
I followed up with Football West last year, and the year before in regards to nationals, and they had the same number of try outs then too, if i recall. Never getting the numbers, because no one knows about it. It’s not promoted in any way. There is no futsal competition held by Football West in WA. Vikings are setting up 3 new tournaments and inviting teams from all over Perth to compete. This is how to make the sport known,and to encourage a more competitive environment to improve the sport of Futsal in WA. Currently, the Vikings run tournament is the ONLY tournament in WA that plays by the official Futsal rules.
This is the problem. Football West don’t promote the sport. The team they send, is made up of players that can afford to go, and show up.
Now that Vikings has found a home in Perth, Vikings competitions are being run, and the state team is on the lookout for new players to increase the size of the training squad. It is now a persistent squad, not one put together in the final months of the year immediately before going to Nationals.
However, there’s a lot to explain, and little space to write. Suffice to say, Vikings are being supported in Perth by the players that matter, because they support the players. I WISH Football West did, but they don’t. Now Football West has lost their Open Men’s team, and – i suspect – thier Youth Men’s, and Open Women’s teams as well.
It certainly sounds like what is happening in other states, is quite different to WA, but i’m not there, so it’s hard to comment, other then that there is an unusual amount of animosity for organizations – be they independent or state run – that are trying (in one way or another) to make Futsal a bigger and more popular sport. If Football West did it, i would support them too.
@talk, this is a website for futsal interested people to talk to each other. If you do not wish to talk or listen, or contribute anything constructive, there is no point in you being here. Brad, as I said, time will tell but it looks as though Football West will be entering boys in 3 age groups and perhaps a women’s team while Vikings will enter a Men’s team and possibly a youth and a Women’s team as well. Good luck at the Nationals.
paul mate i was merely writing something with as much merit as the trials football west will hold!
some people say the truth hurts, but maybe you could help me confirm that?