The 2012 Capital Football Futsal Premier League kicks off this week.  Round one of the men’s competition takes place on Thursday night at the AIS Training Hall, where the ten teams in this year’s competition will be looking to get off to a flying start to the season.  The pick of the match ups this week sees last season’s beaten semi-finalists Queanbeyan City take on a revamped Boomerangs FS Blue side.  The Boomerangs were defeated in last year’s grand final, and will be keen to get their season off to a good start as seek to make amends for their grand final loss.  Last season’s winner, the Canberra City Prawns, start their campaign against the Weston Creek Timberwolves, who will be looking to improve on last year’s finish.  Expect to see a strong challenge this year from other teams such as Belconnen United, who like Boomerangs have named two side, and the ever-present Canberra Olympic Supercats.  Monaro Panthers are making their first foray into the elite futsal competition, like last year’s other beaten semi finalists Tuggeranong Gunners, will be looking to shake things up at the top of the ladder.  To get in the mood for this Futsal Premier League season, why not watch the highlights from the Prawns’ epic 5-4 grand final victory over the Boomerangs in season 2011.

The women’s competition will kick off on Friday night at the AIS Training Hall, as the usual suspects and some new comers take to the court to try and become ACT champions.  Last season’s winners Woden Valley get their season underway against Kids FC, who last season finished just outside the top four.  Woden will be looking to continue their form of last season, which saw them go through the entire campaign undefeated.  Boomerangs FS, who suffered heartache in last season’s final when losing on penalties to Woden, will take on Tuggeranong United in their first match as they look to go one better this season.  Those two won’t have it all their own way though, with a couple of new teams entered in the shape of Belconnen United and Canberra FC who will be looking to make their mark on the indoor game.  Weston Creek El Diva will also hope to go one step further this season, after being eliminated in the final last time around.  A strong challenge is also sure to come from Brindabella Blues, who despite being a new team in name, have pulled together a strong and talented squad.

Matches kick off at 6:15pm on both Thursday and Friday nights at the AIS Training Hall, and admission is free.  For the first time this season, Capital Football will be producing weekly highlights of the Futsal Premier League, so keep an eye out for these on the website after each round.