Today, Andrew Paine should be on a flight to Tehran for the AFC Futsal Championships.

Instead, he is stuck in a Wollstonecraft office block.

Paine and Fernhill Foxes team-mate Dylan Maloney were due to fly to Iran to represent NSW in futsal’s answer to the Asian Champions League.

However, post-election turmoil in the Islamic Republic forced the AFC to last week postpone the tournament due to fears over player safety.

Paine and Maloney were convinced until then the biennial tournament – scheduled to start on Saturday – would go ahead.

“We were going into camp on Friday night and due to fly out on Tuesday,” Paine said.

“I think a few of the boys were worried, but I was looking forward to it.

“It’s very disappointing, we have been training for six months.”

Paine admitted he and his team-mates were somewhat in the dark about the situation in Iran, but is bitterly disappointed he has been robbed of the trip to a country on few tourist itineraries.

“We don’t know much about what is happening over there, we have to leave it up to the people in charge,” he said.

“Hopefully it does all die down, you don’t get a chance to visit visit somewhere like Iran very often.”

Reports suggest the disquiet centres on the Iranian capital, while the tournament was to be played in Isfahan, almost six hours away.

Teams from Australia, China, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Lebanon, Qatar, Thailand and Uzbekistan were due to contest the tournament.

In the meantime, the NSW Thunder side will have to cool its heels with monthly camps and training twice a week.

Paine is itching to test his skills against some of Asia’s best.

“The Iranians are phenomenal, the Thai side are pretty good as well,” he said.

“We were going to have two Australian boys who play full-time in Spain on our side, but now, who knows?”

Acting AFC general secretary Alex Soosay said the tournament would be rescheduled.

“It is our sincere belief that it would be in everyone’s interest, namely the participating teams, the AFC delegation, the host association, as well as the competition itself, for the AFC Futsal Club Championship 2009 to be held sometime in the future under more conducive circumstances,” he said.

“We are monitoring the situation in Iran and we will advise of the suitable dates in due course.”

The Futsal Winter State League moved into round seven on a cold night at the Sports Halls, Sydney Olympic Park.

In the women’s action match of the round saw first placed V.I.M take on second placed Hachies. With top spot up for grabs this had the possibility of being a real thriller. V.I.M started the brighter in the open exchanges and took the game to the young Hachies side. V.I.M took the lead thanks to a nice E. Goss strike just on 8minutes. V.I.M extended their lead when R. Tomkins right foot strike found the roof of the net from just inside the “D”. Hachies were finding it difficult to retain possession and it was three-nil soon after when E. Goss got her double with a shot the went into the bottom right corner of the goal. Right on the stroke of half time N. LoGuidice made it four when she turned nicely on the edge of the “D” and her left foot strike gave A. Horafios no chance in the Hachies goal.

The second half started in bizarre circumstances with both keepers getting on the score sheet. First it was Horafios for Hachies will a nice run into empty space and the venomous right foot strike through traffic and into the back of the net. T. Rosekelly then did likewise for V.I.M with her right foot strike finding the back of the net. Unfortunately for Hachies they could net really get going as V.I.M produced their best performance of the season which was rounded off nicely with two late goals by R. Tomkins to secure her hat-trick. The result sees V.I.M open up a two point lead in the competition while Hachies drop back to third.

Match Stats

V.I.M 7 (E. Goss 8′,14′, R. Tomkins 11′,31′,33′, N. LoGuidice 15′, T. Rosekelly 19′) def. Hachies 1 (A. Horafios 19′)

Teams

V.I.M: 21. T. Rosekelly, 5. R.Tomkins, 7. N. Spirovski, 9. N. Laws. 4. E. Goss, 6. N. LoGuidice
Hachies: 1. A. Horafios, 2. C. Turner, 5. N. Hamson, 6. K. Skeoch, 11. L. Phelps, 7. O. Arramidis
Referees: Greg Webster & Paul Respicio

Other Women’s results from the round seven …

Sydney City Quake 1 (F. Perfilo 13′) drew with. Just 4 Kicks 1 (E. Rodopoulos 31′)
Pirates 7 (S. Uzunlar 8′, 19′, K. Mitrevski 15′, R. Browning 16′, A. Smith 21′, 33′, E. Extas 26′) def. Wadey’s Army 2 (A. Voulden 15′, A. Carsbie 35′)
Force 10 4 (D. Caridad 22′, S. Svinos 23′, J. Saliba 29′, 35′) def. Sienna 1 (C. Ruggeri 31′)

The Women’s draw will be broken into two (2) divisions for the reminder of the season with both divisions playing their own final series.

 

In the men’s action match of the round saw Riff Raff take on Quake Youth. With the experience of Futsalroo Simon Keith making his debut for the Riff Raff side, it was always going to be a tuff ask for the young Quake boys. Quake youth started the stronger in the opening minutes had an effort well saved by Bojan Radmilo in the Riff Raff goal. Riff Raff took the lead when Andre Mendes found away past his maker to fire a shot off that found its way into the bottom left hand corner of the net. Quake youth replied straight away with Chris Sheerin making the most of some fine passing between David Von Dinklage and James Gilligan. Keith then extended the lead for Riff Raff after he received a great through ball by Mark Symington and Keith’s effort found its way past Justin Faint in the Quake goals. Both teams took turns in testing the keeper and both were up to the task. Just on half time Symington extended the lead for Riff Raff after Mendes’s square ball found Symington run into the “D” and his first time effort managed to go between the legs of Faint in the Quake goal. At half time it was three-one to Riff Raff with Quake needing to dig deep to get back into the contest.

The Second half it’s was all Riff Raff and they extended their lead when Pablo Accantara great bit of skill beat two Quake defenders and his strike was too hot for Faint in the Quake goal. Both team then had a number of chances go wide none better then Accantara’s cheeky behind the leg shot the just went wide. Symington got his double with a nice run to the back post when he slotted into the empty net. Giovanni Leuzzi rounded off the scoring for Riff Raff when he managed to get the ball into the back of the net after a goal mouth scramble. With the result Riff Raff have jumped up to fourth in Pool A while Quake youth drop to second in Pool B.

Match Stats

Riff Raff 6 (Andres Mendes 8′, Simon Keith 12′, Mark Symington 16′, 33′, Pablo Accantara 24′, Giovanni Leuzzi 34′) def. Quake Youth 5 (Chris Sheerin 11′)

Teams

Riff Raff: 1. Bojan Radmilo, 32. Steven Varas, 5. Simon Keith, 9. Giovanni Leuzzi, 8. Pablo Accantara, 11. Andre Mendes, 6. Sahand Jahani, 18. Mark Symington
Quake Youth: 1. Justin Faint, 11. James Gilligan, 23. Chris Sheerin, 22. David Von Dinklage, 19. Saeed Colley, 20. Emmanuel Harihiru
Yellow Cards: Chris Sheerin
Referees: Peter Wilson-Mosey & Alex Eroukhimovitch

Other Men’s results from the round six …

Maccabi Maulers 2 (G. Naar 23′, 28′) def. Futsal4All Phoenix 0
Pirates 2 (M. Kralijvic 20′, R. Teixeira) def. Any District 0
Any District 8 (Guilherme Carniel 2′,4′,7′,16′,28′,30′, Marcio Da Silva 9′, Leandro Da Silva 17′) def. Northern Tigers 1 (A. Smajovic 30′) def. Barcelona 0
Dural Warriors WOF def. Enfield Rovers LOF

The following letter was sent to various Futsal centres in NSW earlier today byVikings NSW. Futsal4all has been sent a copy :

Date: 30th June 2009

RE: Futsal Clubs of NSW Meeting

To Whom It May Concern,

We at Vikings Futsal NSW would like to invite you and members of your club/centre to a meeting to discuss the future and direction of the sport of futsal within NSW. After numerous meetings with Football NSW we are still at a stumbling block regarding capitation fees and have not joined together. Over the same period we have conducted meetings with the FFA and look forward to seeing what has been achieved out of this.

Since we first started in NSW a number of stories and rumours have circulated about Vikings Futsal. The staff at Vikings Futsal would like to provide you, the Futsal fraternity of NSW, with some facts so that you are well advised regarding the future of the great sport of Futsal within NSW under the banner of Vikings Futsal.

Hopefully this will encourage you to take part in bringing the sport forward with us and dispel any mistruths that may be circulating. We are here for the long haul and will continue to strive to develop this sport without losing sight of our original goal of bringing Futsal to as many people as possible within NSW. We want and hope to gain your support in helping us to achieve our goals and hope you take the time to read this letter.

Vikings Futsal has being in NSW for under 12 months and during this time we have established 2 Vikings centres, one in Wollongong, located in Albion Park at the Shellharbour City Stadium, with 95 teams the other Vikings centre located at the Michael Wenden Aquatic Centre located at Miller, with 21 teams. We have also gained one affiliated club, Western Force Futsal Club Inc. with 90 teams.

Vikings Futsal NSW and PCYC NSW have cemented their partnership which will show that by the start of the 2009 Futsal Summer Competitions, Vikings NSW Futsal will be the largest Futsal Organisation in the state, if not Australia. We will also have ready, a first class Premier League and Super League, run by the clubs for the clubs, with all sponsorship monies evenly distributed to the appropriate Leagues.

To service all the above centres and future clubs Vikings NSW Futsal currently has 4 full time staff members. State CEO Bob Raso, Tournament and Tours Co-coordinator Amanda Bowering, Highly credentialled football brain Dez Marton has just been employed as PCYC Liaison and Director of High Performance. Lastly Phil Belo will also assist with the developing of PCYC and the sport as a whole, with his role as PCYC Liaison and Officiating, he will look at the development of referees within the sport . We are currently also looking to employ 4 part time development officers for country areas. NSW Vikings are building a formidable team ready for the challenges ahead.

Vikings NSW Futsal can confirm the following:

• Vikings NSW will co-ordinate an Elite State Competition, known as the Dalponte Cup for the coming season.
• Vikings NSW will have in place an Elite State Competition Constitution run by the clubs for the clubs.
• Vikings NSW has in place By Laws for an Elite State Competition (Dalponte Cup).
• Winners and runners up from Dalponte Cup will participate in the Vikings National League Challenge Cup.
• Clubs participating in Vikings National League Challenge Cup will be invited to play in the inaugural Vikings National League.
• Winner of Vikings National League will play in Clubs World Cup Challenge.
• Promotion and relegation will take effect at the completion of 3rd season.
• In addition Vikings NSW will have teams take part in the current Vikings Pacific League.
• Vikings Futsal NSW and QLD have reintroduced State Of Origin for Women
  and are looking to implement more age groups in near future.

NSW Vikings would like to invite you to a meeting on ;

When; Wednesday 8th July 2009
Where; Rockdale PCYC
9 Ador Ave Rockdale
Time; 7pm

We feel that together with you, and your input we can grow the sport we all love and allow it to achieve status we all believe it can. Futsal is an amazing sport in it’s own right, and we are committed to ensuring it is developed throughout the state of NSW in conjunction with the rest of Australia and New Zealand.

If you have any queries or questions please feel free to contact me , I look forward to seeing you and working with you to further the sport of futsal.

Kind Regards

Amanda Bowering

Tournaments and Tours Coordinator
Vikings Futsal
NSW
Phone; 9825 0997
Email; amandab@vikingsfutsal.com

Editors Note : the only change made above has been the removal of Amanda’s Mobile number. If anyone requires more information we recommend that they contact Vikings directly.

Click here for the original letter (PDF)

Northern Tigers Futsal would like to invite players to trial for teams competing in the FNSW Super League for Season 2009 / 2010.

Venue: Loreto Normanhurst Gym, Entry from Osborne Rd, Normanhurst

Date: Sunday 12th July

Times:

Girls – Under 12 : 10.00am
Girls – Under 14 : 11.00am
Girls – Under 16 : Noon
Womens : 1.00pm

Boys – Under 14 : 2:00pm
Boys – Under 16 : 3.15pm
Boys – Under 12 : 4.30pm
Youth & Mens : 5.45pm

All players must be at the venue 20 minutes before scheduled time of trial.

All Northern Tigers teams will participate in the FNSW State Titles which will ensure that all players are eligible for selection trials for Nationals.

All players must wear appropriate training strip.

For further information please contact:

futsalnotherntigers@hotmail.com or phone Ros on 0430 095 574 (After 5.00pm)

When it comes to predicting who will be the big players at next week’s OFC Futsal Championship Fiji 2009, no one is more qualified than Oceania Futsal guru Scott Gilligan.

Gilligan, who works as project manager for the ‘Win in Oceania’ Futsal development program, has spent time assessing and training teams involved in the championship which is set to take place at the Vodafone Arena in Suva between 6-10 July.

The former Australian Futsal player and coach is tipping Solomon Islands and Vanuatu to be the most likely contenders to take out the title ahead of Fiji and New Caledonia.

“The Solomon Kurukuru have been training long and hard plus have the bonus of playing in the FIFA Futsal World Cup Brazil 2008. But don’t forget that Vanuatu beat them fairly comfortably in last year’s OFC Futsal Championship (5-1) so it will be interesting to see if they can do the same again,” said Gilligan, who competed in the 1985 and 1988 Futsal World Championships.

Gilligan also believes the individual stars may come from these two teams.

“Jack Wetney from the Solomon Islands can beat players with ease and also has the ability to read the game while Vanuatu’s Louis Dominique has great composure on the ball and can change the course of a game,” he said.

The youthful New Caledonia side will be a threat with their pace according to Gilligan but the squad has not had the benefit of regular trainings.

“New Caledonia have only been able to assemble their full squad in the past three weekends as players come from both the north and south, making midweek trainings impossible.”

Fiji are also at a slight disadvantage with many of their players involved in outdoor football matches in the lead up to the event.

Whatever the outcome, Gilligan believes the OFC Futsal Championship – now held annually – plays a key role in helping to develop Futsal in Oceania.

In his drive to see the sport grow, Gilligan is working to integrate Futsal in schools around the region, set up domestic competitions for all levels, train coaches and teachers, and employ Futsal Development Officers in OFC Member Associations. All of these initiatives are part of the FIFA-funded Win in Oceania development program.

Gilligan will be in Fiji next week to complete a technical assessment of the championship.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Priscilla Duncan
Oceania Football Confederation
Media & Communications
T: +649 526 5651
F: +649 525 8164
M:+64 (0)21 884 018
E: priscilla@oceaniafootball.com

Joel Tiller
Oceania Football Confederation
Media & Communications
T: +649 526 5654
F: +649 525 8164
M:+64 (0)21 994 520
E: joel@oceaniafootball.com

Ba soccer team striker Osea Vakatalesau is out of the Fiji 5-a-side soccer team.

Vatakalesau injured his knee in last weekend’s National Soccer League match against Nadi and won’t be able to play in the Oceania Futsal soccer championship.

Fiji Futsal official Jainen Sukhu said 18-year-old Christopher Kumar from D.V.A College Ba has replaced Vakatalesau in the 12 member squad.

The Oceania Futsal Socer Championship gets underway next Monday at the Vodafone Arena.

Fiji, Solomons, Vanuatu and New Caledonia will compete in a week long tournament.

Melbourne Reds are now accepting registrations for the 2009 Term 2 program.

Applicants should complete the registration form via the following link:

Term 2 Rego Form

Existing members do not need to re-register.

Details of the programs on offer can be found on the ‘Training Info‘ page (included below as well)

Introduction to Futsal – (8 weeks)

- 8 x 45 Minute Sessions
- Game based training, rules of the game
- Maximum 12 players per group
- Designed for 6 – 8 year olds
- Includes training uniform

Cost: $150

Beginner / Novice – (12 weeks)

- 12 x 60 Minute Sessions
- Technical skills focus, speed & agility, game awareness
- All sessions finish with a match
- Maximum 12 players per group
- Designed for players 9 years old and above
- Includes training uniform

Cost: $240

Intermediate / Advanced – (12 weeks Min)

- 90 minute sessions 
- Focus on technical skills, game awareness, set plays, speed & agility
- All sessions finish with a match
- Pathway to MFL representative teams
- Designed for players with competent skill levels and experience

NB: New players will need to be assessed prior to acceptance in this training group.

Cost: Advised on offer

Sydney Benfica FC and Sydney Olympic FC – Bring The World Of Football and Futsal Together!

Sydney Benfica Futsal Club in conjunction with SL Benfica (Portugal) have come to terms regarding an affiliation with Sydney Olympic Football Club. It what can only be described as exciting times for both clubs, the sports of football and futsal can only flourish with such an agreement in place.

For many a time, there has been a constant battle between the two codes. Hopefully, this successful affiliation will break down the barriers and will also encourage other clubs to follow suit.

Whilst both clubs have their own traditional origins, recent years, have seen both clubs adopt the name of Sydney into their identities. Australia is very much a multicultural society. Football/Futsal across the world has no boundaries.

Discussions between Graham Athanaseris, Nick Svinos, Lorenzo D’Addona and Mario Da Silva of both clubs, have been ongoing for the past year. The new affiliation will see both clubs run as they are, however supporting each other where possible. This will enable both sets of players to trial and if selected, represent both facets of the game.

Sydney Olympic FC will commence Summer Soccer with an added twist. Instead of running a 6-a side competition, the competition will be run under futsal rules. The affiliation will also enable the running of local competitions at a venue yet to be determined. Discussions also centered around, reaching out to grass roots and local schools as a means of development for all players and the sport.

With the FFA pushing the SSG, futsal is very much a way of life that many professional footballers have experienced. Futsal is very much a part of the FFA’s National Curriculum. It is the playground where many skills are harnessed.

Sydney Benfica FC and Sydney Olympic FC would like to wish all players, parents and officials, the best of luck in their respective competitions.

Click here for the original announcement (DOC)

Sydney Benfica FC are calling for expressions of interest for it’s inaugural Benfica Eagles Academy.

If you are born in 1999 and 2000, please email lorenzo.daddona@benfica.com.au or fax (02) 9588 5541 the attached form below.

The Benfica Eagles Academy is open to both males and females.

Registration will include the following
- Training once a week
- Academy to play pre-game on game days against other elite academies
- Entry into FNSW State Titles
- Participation in proposed Gala style event at the end of the season.
- Home Jersey (Pink Jersey, Black Shorts and Pink Socks)
- Club Polo and walk shorts
- Club Bag & Drink Bottle
- Free entry for players to Season Launch and End of Season Presentation.

Players may also be selected to represent the club in the 12 Boys and 12 Girls squad throughout the FNSW Futsal Premier League season.

Trials will be held late July and early August.

Click here for the original flyer (DOC)
Click here for the Application form (PDF)

Futsal Tasmania will be extending its Tasmanian Islanders Futsal Academy program next week with two new Academies starting up in the South of the State.

The Lion’s Edge Futsal Academy kicks off Tuesday Night and will run for 8 weeks through a partnership made with Kingborough Lions Soccer Club while on Wednesday Night the Eastern Cyclones Futsal Academy kicks off at Sorell High School giving a new found opportunity to those in Sorell and surrounding areas.

If you would like more information on the Tasmanian Islanders Futsal Academies or Futsal in general please contact corey@vikingsfutsal.com