Aus Futsal Assoc National Schools Championships News (QLD)
Various news stories from the Australian Futsal Association (Vikings) schools champs
04 October, 2012
Officials at the opening of the 2012 Nationals School Futsal Championships in Cairns
Max O’Halloran councillor for Division 7 and head of the Sport and Recreation Committee for Cairns Council, Duncan Sims Administrator Football FNQ, Frank Farina ex Australian team coach and playerand present national coach of Papua New Guinea, Jo Burgess Matilda and Brisbane Roar player and John Bomben long time official of Leichardt Football club and mentor of football in FNQ.
North dazzles at futsal school nationals
Australia’s best young futsal players are showing off their dazzling skills right here in Townsville.
The National Futsal Schools Titles kicked off on Monday and run until tomorrow, and so far North Queensland players are holding their own.
A total of 50 teams from Tasmania to Cairns have been playing in age groups from under-14 to under-19 years, and another 40 teams in younger age divisions are playing in Cairns. The Townsville-based teams have been playing games at Townsville RSL Stadium and Townsville Basketball, which Australian Futsal spokeswoman Cheryl Bacon said played a decisive role in bringing the championships north.
“This is the first time that these championships have been held north of Brisbane, and I think Townsville RSL Stadium has played a big part in that,” she said. “Visitors have been really impressed at the quality of the facility.”
NQ currently sits first in the under-15 girls and under-14 boys divisions, and the under-12 boys team is competing well in Cairns. Among the most impressive wins was the 15-1 victory the Burdekin-based NQ under-15 girls scored over Queensland Country, while the under-14 boys beat heavyweights Queensland City 5-3.
“There’s been a lot of really good futsal being played and the standard’s pretty high, as you would imagine,” Bacon said.
The National Futsal Schools Titles continue today and finish with tomorrow’s grand finals.
Games start from 9am at Townsville RSL Stadium and Townsville Basketball.
MICHAEL THOMPSON | October 3rd, 2012
YOUNG SKILLS: North Queensland’s Reid Murray plays Queensland Capital at RSL Stadium. Photo by Wesley Monts.
North Queensland futsal teams shoot for top
North Queensland teams will be well represented at today’s semi-finals of the national school futsal titles.
Seven NQ outfits have progressed through to the knock-out stages of the Townsville and Cairns-based tournament, which finishes this afternoon with grand final matches.
The NQ under-11, under-12 and under-13 boys’ teams play their semi-finals in Cairns this morning, while the under-14 boys start their semi at Townsville RSL Stadium from 9am.
NQ also enjoyed success in the Townsville-based girls’ divisions, with the under-14 and under-15 teams reaching their respective semi finals.
Australian Viking Futsal spokeswoman Cheryl Bacon said yesterday’s matches provided plenty of pulsating and top-shelf action.
“The standard’s been exceptionally high all week, and there’s going to be some exciting grand finals,” she said.
“The (NQ) under-14 boys are undefeated and I think they’ll be the team to watch.”
The under-14 outfit yesterday beat Tasmania 6-4 and then Queensland Country 10-2 to advance to the semis.
Also impressing was the under-19 NQ girls’ team, who scored a 5-3 win over New South Wales.
Today’s games at Townsville RSL Stadium kick off at 9am and run until 4pm.
MICHAEL THOMPSON | October 4th, 2012 -Townsville Bulletin
WELL BALANCED: Kristen Predebon gets a kick away in an under-16 girls match. Photo by Zak Simmonds.
