The Vikings NZ U/17 boys side will head to Guangzhou, China on August 18th for a 2 week Futsal tour.

This tour will see the side play tournaments in Foshan, with games in Guangzhou and Macau. They will also have the opportunity to be involved with the Guangzhou Chinese National League training and perhaps a game.

Whilst in the region the boys will have the opportunity to visit many of the ancient sites and cultures of China.

Visiting such a diverse culture such as China presents the boys with many challenges such as, language, foods and customs, but is a great opportunity for the boys to learn what it means to be an elite athlete in a foreign country.

Team

Joshua O’Keefe – Canterbury
Marcus Livingstone – Canterbury
Scott McElroy – Canterbury
Trent Wales – Canterbury
Daniel Williamson – Otago
Hayden King – Otago
Alan Craig – Otago
Fraser Hunter – Central Otago
Codey O’Hagan – Central Otago

Paul Wadsworth - Coach
Ann McElroy – Manager/Supporter
David McElroy – Supporter

A Honiara futsal squad had been selected and will be playing friendly matches against the Kurukuru National Futsal Team ahead of the Oceania Futsal Championship in Fiji next month.

The Honiara select are expected to give the Kurukuru the much-needed challenge as they gear up to represent the country with their international duties.

The Honiara Select comprises of famous names in the eleven-a-side game like Commins Menapi, John Iani, Arnold Keni and Jeffery Bule.

In another development, two members of the Kurukuru National Side, Lenson Bisili and Junior Kogua, who played in the Futsal World Cup last year but did not make it to the final squad this year, have been included in the select side.

The Honiara Select will have their first meeting this Wednesday at the Multipurpose Hall starting at 5pm.

All squad members are urged to attend.

The Honiara Select Squad includes – KOSSA’s Junior Koti (Goalkeeper), Brezalona’s Junior Kogua (Goalkeeper), Brezalona’s Robert Laua, Benjamin Keko, Makuru’s Commins Menapi, Koloale’s Jeffery Bule, Marist’s Arnold Keni, Makuru’s John Iani, Brezalona’s Harry Tefi, Makuru’s Dennis, Koloale’s Iani Paia, Marist’s Lension Bisili and Uncles’ Chiris.

The Head Coach is Tony Wale, Assistant Coach Fraz Ramo and Team Manager Obadiah Wale.

Four Timaru teens will represent New Zealand in the Futsal indoor soccer championships in Sydney next year.

Timaru Boys High students James Blatherwick, Brett Clifford and Patrick Hill, and Tymon Bernard from Mountainview High will take part in the trans-Tasman event in which New Zealand will pitch themselves against Australian state and club teams in two sets of championships.

The group will be part of a team of about 50 New Zealand players that make up male and female teams in the game which claims to be the fastest growing sporting activity in Australasia.

“Every season we’re gaining more players and getting really competitive against the Aussies which obviously they don’t like,” said Futsal Vikings New Zealand tours and tournament co-ordinator Rebecca Banfield.

Players can expect up to three games a day in the week-long championship of the fast-paced hardcourt game. Played on a basketball court it has no throw-ins or slide-tackles and according to Ms Banfield, “no one can hide”.

Futsal is a game of 18 minute halves and five aside teams, an indoor scaled-down version of soccer, the boys saying it was to soccer what touch rugby was to rugby.

The players were amazed they had been selected to represent New Zealand in a sport that had got off the ground in Timaru in only October last year, even Hill’s father couldn’t believe it.

“Dad thought it was a joke. Dad actually rang the lady up to see if it was a hoax.”

They believed taking part in the Timaru league meant they were given more of an opportunity with more game time than they would have received elsewhere.

“It’s good playing here because you get more of a chance to shine in a small town,” said Clifford who was one of the players to initiate his own league team.

Timaru Futsal regional development officer Russell King described himself as “tickled pink” at the prospect of the four local boys going to Sydney, despite the league having got off the ground only ten months ago.

The players will fly to Sydney in January for the week-long competition which will decide the Australasian club and state champions.

Bendigo’s two major indoor stadiums will be full of flashing football feet next week when the FFV Schools Futsal State Championships are fought out between boys’ and girls’ school teams from across Victoria.

Football Federation Victoria, Football Central Victoria and the City of Greater Bendigo have teamed up to run the championships.

It’s the first time the tournament will have been played outside metropolitan Melbourne.

The championships will be held at Flora Hill Stadium in Keck Street, and the Schweppes Centre in West Bendigo.

More than 80 teams will be in action across the four days. The action will kick off next Monday and wind up on June 25.

The round-robin competition will conclude with finals each day for the different age groups.

“We are excited about hosting this major junior state championship event in Bendigo,” said Football Central Victoria president Chris Hain.

“We are particularly keen on Futsal because of the excellent development platform it provides to improve skills, enhance decision making under pressure and increase access to the world game for more young (and not so young) players.”

Futsal is the only form of five-a-side football that is officially approved by FIFA.

It’s one of the fastest growing sports in the world and is played in more than 100 countries.

ADSANS – sports/finance detail

The schedule: Monday, June 22: Year 9 and 10 (intermediate) boys and girls. Tuesday, June 23: Year 7 and 8 (junior) boys and girls. Wednesday, June 24: Grade 5 and 6 (primary) boys and girls. Thursday, June 25: Year 11 and 12 (senior) boys and girls.

On a chilly Monday evening at the Sports Halls, Sydney Olympic Park for round five of the Futsal Winter State League.

In the women’s match of the round first placed Just 4 Kicks took on third placed Hachies. The young Hachies were looking to close the gap at the top of the table with some good recent results and got off to a flyer care of two early goals in the first half by R. Fleming and L. Phelps. The two goals came within the space of 2minutes and seemed rock Just 4 Kicks as they were not playing with their usual quick passing game. Just 4 Kick had the odd chance in the first half but A. Horafios we up to the task keeping Just 4 Kicks at bay.

In the Second Half Hachies also began the stronger and extended their lead thanks to L. Phelps getting her double just on 20 minute mark. Just 4 Kicks now had a mountain to climb but when H. Buckingham found the net there was hope for Just 4 Kicks and they started to mount pressure on the young Hachies side. Just 4 kicks then took another step closer when E. Rodopoulos scored to bring them within one goal of a dramatic comeback, but it wasn’t to be and Hachies held on to the victory to move into second place on goal difference while Just 4 kicks lost top spot and dropped to third.

Match Stats

Hachies 3 (R. Fleming 6′, L. Phelps 8′, 20′) def. Just 4 Kicks 2 (H. Buckingham 25′, E. Rodopoulos 31′)

Teams

Hachies: 1. A. Horafios, 2. C. Turner, 3. L. Moore, 4. E. Rugg, 5. N. Hamson, 6. K. Skeoch, 11. L. Phelps, 8. R. Fleming, 9. M Mikhail,10. J Abi Sassine
Just 4 Kicks: 1. A. Oliva, 9. A. Cergovski, 4. H. Buckingham, 7. T. Bartlett, 23. E. Rodopoulos, 2. A. Gauthier
Referees: Paul Jones & Andrew Best

Other Women’s results from the round four …

Sydney City Quake 5 (C. Walsh 7′, 15′, 26′, L. Thomson 33′, B. Cowie 34′) def. Pirates 0
V.I.M 8 (E. Goss 3′, 36′, K. Doyle 9′, 33′, N. Laws 10′, 27′, A. Bowering 19′, 20′) def. Sienna 1 (K. King 28′)
Force 10 4 (S. Scinos 17′, 29′, J. Saliba 16′, D. Caridad 23′) def. Wadey’s Army 0

In the Men’s Action, Pool A saw Pirates entertain Riff Raff, with Pirates knocking of the door of semi finals and Riff Raff looking to improve on some poor recent results. It was a good chance there would be lots of goals to keep the crowd entertained. Pirates started well and took an early lead with a good strike by D. D’Angelo, this stunned Riff Raff to life and the equalized minutes later with T. Pannowitz scored are some nice inter passing that lead to Pannowitz slotting the ball home. Pirates then took the lead 30 seconds later after some poor defending allowed R. Texeira to shoot on the edge of the “D” giving B. Radmilo no chance in the Riff Raff goal. Texeira went close just on the stroke of half only denied by a fine save by Radmilo.

The second half was full of goals as the game see sawed back and forth. Texeira secured his double just after the break with some nice individual skills. Riff Raff never gave in and S. Ardle double in the space of 2 minutes put Riff Raff back level at three all. Unfortunately for Riff Raff this was the kick start Pirates needed and C. Bello put Pirates in the lead after a nice pass by D’Angelo. In the final minutes Texeira completed his hat-trick and extended Pirates lead when he was able to turn and shoot inside the “D”. Riff Raff then pulled a goal back through B. Lam but it was too little too late. Pirates then put the icing on the cake when D’Angelo secured his double and his side sixth to give the Pirates a well deserved victory.

Match Stats

Pirates 6 (D. D’Angelo 7′, 36′, R. Texeira 14′ 20′ 30′, C. Bello 29′) def. Riff Raff 4 (T.Pannowitz 13′ S. Ardle 22′, 24′, B. Lam 32′)

Teams:

Pirates: 1. R. Curmi, 10. D. Dutra, 7. C. Bello, 19. R. Texeira, 26. D. D’Angelo, 2. J. Sorbello
Riff Raff: 1. B. Radmilo, 4. M. Ghobrial, 10. G. Leuzzi, 9. B. Lam, 14. T. Pannowitz, 8. S. Ardle, 15. S. Jahani
Yellow Cards: T. Pannowitz, S. Jahani
Referees: Brendan Wirz & Paul Jones

Other Men’s results from the round four…

Dural Warriors 7 (E, Rumora 11′, 14′, 19′, 27′, M. Koto 29′, 34′, B. Rosier 35′) def. Northern Tigers 4 (S. Doran 1′, 4′, D. Hunter 10′, M. Orlic 36′)
Quake Youth 6 (E. Harihiru 2′, C. Sheerin 6′, 11′, D. Von Dinklage 16′, J. Gilligan 33′, J. Faint 36′) def. Barcelona 1 (M. Farallo 20′)
Enfield Rovers 2 (W. Donato 3′, A. Cole 9′) drew with. Maccabi Maulers 2 (J. Mundell 21′, A. Tow 31′)
Futsal4All vs. Any District – match abandoned in second half

Next week’s round six matches are

7:00pm Siena vs. Sydney City Quake Court One
7:00pm V.I.M vs. Just 4 Kicks Court Two
7:40pm Hachies vs. Wadey’s Army Court One
7:40pm Pirates vs. Force 10 Court Two

8:20pm Pirates vs. Futsal4Pheonix Court Two
9:00pm Barcelona vs. Any District Court One
9:00pm Enfield vs. Northern Tigers Court Two
9:40pm Quake Youth vs. Dural Warriors Court Two
9:40pm Riff Raff vs. Maccabi Maulers Court One (game moved from 8:20pm)

** Update 17/6/09 : Please note the following time changes for the trials :

Saturday 20th and 27th of June : 12, 14, 16 Girls 1-3pm, 14 Boys 3pm-5pm
Sunday 21st and 28th of June : Development/12 Boys 2pm-4pm
16 Boys, Youth, Women and Men on a lter date yet to be advised.

MASCOT VIPERS FUTSAL CLUB TRIALS 2009/10

Mascot Vipers will be holding trials for the NSW Premier Futsal League
VENUE: Indoor Central – 5 Kent Road, MASCOT

[Trial Dates and times can be found in the flyer below]

For more information call or text: 0406 616 674 or Email: bomba770@hotmail.com

ATTITUDE IS OF THE ESSENCE! At the Vipers, we are looking for Players who are prepared to listen and learn.

WE WILL BE SIGNING PLAYERS ON THE DAY SO PARENTS BE READY TO FINALISE ALL ON THE DAY INCLUDING PHOTO’S AND REGISTRATION FEES.

2008/09 VIPERS CLUB ACHIEVEMENTS!
12 BOYS, 12 GIRLS & 13 BOYS – State Champions
14 BOYS – Premier League Minor Premiers / State Grand Finalists / Premier League Grand Finalists
YTH MEN – Premier League Preliminary finals
WOMEN – State Champions / Premier League Minor Premiers / Premier League Champions

[ Click the image below for the original flyer in PDF form ]

In the last week of September, Albury & Wodonga’s sports stadiums will come under attack in the form of Vikings Futsal’s National School Championships.

Held from the 28th to the 30th of the month, the focal point of the Futsal School’s calender, will be fought out by more then 120 sides from across Australia and New Zealand, all striving for national honours.

With almost 1200 participants & countless numbers of coaches, supporters & officials, the Albury & Wodonga areas will become a sea of enthusiasm, athleticism & colour.

Teams consist of players chosen as being the best in their school’s region. Vikings have 38 regions across the country that conduct School Titles. This year in addition to these sides from across all states of Australia, the tournament will also feature regions from across the Tasman, flying the flag for the silver ferns.

The flow on effects from staging such a large event are countless. The local community will benefit greatly from accommodating, feeding & entertaining the entire Vikings invasion for the 3 day period. Vikings Schools National Co-ordinator, Jade Banks, sees it as a win, win, win scenario. “To stage a tournament of this size, will be great for the local Albury/Wodonga economy, it provides a huge thrill & a great deal of experience & opportunity for those involved to travel & see first hand this beautiful part of Australia & it is another triumph for Vikings Futsal & the sport in particular.”

Banks continued, “Vikings are committed to the development of Futsal across Australasia. At the core of this are our Schools Programs. These National Titles will showcase the elite of this youth development”.

The Championships will be hosted by the Albury Sports/PCYC Centre with all of their 6 courts in use, the 5 courts at the Wodonga Sport & Leisure Centre as well as the 3 courts at the Wodonga Middle Years College.

2008 saw Dandenong play host to the gala. The blue ribbon senior under 19 events where taken out by the Victoria City region in the males draw & national honours went to the Sydney City region in the women.

Further Tournament details can be gained from Jade Banks 0403 546 871 or email school@vikingsfutsal.com

[ Original Press Release can be found here ]

Bayside Pirates Futsal Club Come & Try Day

When : Saturday 20th June 1pm
Location : Cheltenham Secondary College, Bernard Street, Cheltenham
Cost : Free

This is a great opportunity for everyone to come and try Futsal

FFV Qualified Coaching and Giveaways on the day

See website for further information: www.baysidepiratesfutsal.com.au

People with Disabilities & CALD backgrounds particularly encouraged to try

Contact: Mark Georgeson from Bayside Pirates on 0413 527 501
or info@baysidepiratesfutsal.com.au
or Brett Bean from Leisure link Up on (03) 9783 3855 or beanbrett@optionsvic.org.au

The full Flyer can be seen here (PDF) or click the picture below.

A second Australian team has been invited to attend the AFC Futsal Club Championship to be held in Esfahan, IR Iran. FIFA futsal referees Scott Kidson and Chris Colley are among the twelve officials appointed to the inaugural tournament which starts on July 4.

They will oversee the champion clubs from the top ten AFC nations, including FFA National Championship winners New South Wales Thunder, as Asia’s top playing talent strive to have their club recognised as the confederation’s best when the tournament reaches its climax on July 12.

This appointment is the latest in a long line as Australian whistle blowers go from strength to strength in Asia. Colley was handed the prestigious appointment on the 2008 AFC Futsal Championship Final as 3rd referee. At the same tournament, Kidson was referee on the semi-final between traditional powerhouses IR Iran and Japan.

After joining the FIFA list in 2007, Kidson and Colley were selected to be part of the first AFC Elite Futsal Referee’s panel formulated in 2008. Both retained their place when the panel was reduced from twenty to sixteen this year. Only IR Iran, Japan and Australia are represented by two officials on the panel.

AFC Futsal Club Championship marks the first engagement in another potentially busy year for the duo. The 3rd Asian Indoor Games and two of the four 2010 AFC Futsal Championship qualifying tournaments have been pencilled in for the last quarter of the year. All of the tournaments are likely to involve most of the elite panel’s members.

Scott Kidson bio:
2008
FIFA Futsal World Cup – Ten matches inc. 3rd place play-off referee (Italy v Russia)
OFC Futsal Championships – Eight matches
AFC Futsal Championships – Eight matches inc. Semi-final referee (IR Iran v Japan)
2007
2nd Asian Indoor Games – Eleven matches inc. Women’s Gold Medal 2nd referee (Japan v Thailand)
AFC Futsal Championships – Seven matches inc. Quarter-final Timekeeper (Japan v Thailand)
ASEAN Futsal Championships – Five matches
AFC Futsal Championships Qualifiers – Six matches

Chris Colley bio:
2008
OFC Futsal Championships – Seven matches
AFC Futsal Championships – Eight matches inc. Final 3rd referee (IR Iran v Thailand)
AFC Futsal Championships Qualifiers – Six matches
2007
AFC Futsal Championships – Eight matches inc. Semi-final Timekeeper (Japan v Kyrgyzstan)

For those of you wanting to follow the AFC Championships in Iran, the information below may be helpful.

Unfortunately there will be no live broadcast in Australia but a few days before the Championships, the host club, Foolad Mahan Sepahan will launch an English Version of their website with daily coverage of the Championships. See http://www.fooladmahansport.com/user/Index.jsp?SID=88&lang=Fa. For those who can read Arabic or speak Farsi, it is an interesting site already.

Once the English version is launched, Futsal4all will check and repost any news daily. We encourage you to check out their site directly as well if you need more up to date information. If there are any streams available on the internet we will post them on Futsal4all.

All teams will also get videos of their games, so hopefully it will become generally available sometime in the future for interested parties to watch.

Hosts Foolad Mahan will be spearheaded by Iran Futsal legend and the sport’s leading international goal scorer Vahid Shamsaee with over 300 goals.