The Taieri College 16girls Futsal team was named School Sports Team of the year at their school sports awards. This is a fantastic achievement and a first for a Futsal team in New Zealand.

The team:
Charley Kerry (captain)
Meesun Scorgie
Brylee Sawyer (goalie)
Victoria Hill
CJ Beatie-Creed
Jo Flamank
Amy Omerovic

Team of year – Team nominated due to performance throughout year; at local, regional and national level.

Locally; The girls have been competing well in monday nights women’s competition.

Regional; At the Dunedin School Championships the Girls finishing second at
regional competition

National; At the Champions of Champions Tournament in Queenstown the girls came 2nd in a classic match that went right to the wire, loosing in golden goal extra time 0-1 against St Hildas, who pipped them by 1 goal at the regionals.

The Girls train twice a week with their coach Tim Berends, who is quickly becoming an instrumental member of Dunedin Futsal. He has been coaching the girls for 2 years and they began playing Futsal September 07. Under Tim’s guidance the girls have made a smooth transition with his guidance and the help of Vikings Futsal Schools Liaison Officer Simon Mead.

The team are also sitting their NCA exams which makes their recent feats all the more impressive.

Source : Vikings NZ
Published : 18/11/2008

Brazilian Soccer Schools are running a prizemoney Mens tournament in January 2009. The winners will get $5,000!!

Futsal 2 Day Gala – 17th and 18th of January 2009
Rockdale Tennis Club
71 Chapel Street Rockdale
New Futsal Synthetic Pitch

$10,000 in prizes. Winner to receive $5,000. Another $5,000 in prizes and giveaways.

Team entry is $386 including insurance.

Phone : 0417 441 790 or 0402 552 757 or 02 820 3805
fds@braziliansoccerschools.com.au
nick@braziliansoccerschools.com.au

The official Flyer and Entry Form is available here (PDF).

A snapshot of the main flyer page is below :

Source : Brazilian Soccer Schools
Published : 18/11/2008

From the 6th till the 10th of January, hundreds of futsal players will converge upon the nation’s capital to contest the 30th FFA National Futsal Championships.

The FFA National Futsal Championships is the biggest National football tournament in Australia, attracting up to 2000 competitors from Australian States, Territories and several Nations within the Oceania Region.

Northern NSW Futsal teams have been selected and teams will commence training this weekend.

Over 100 players from across Northern NSW will represent the region in Canberra in male and female categories ranging from 11years right through to senior divisions.

George Poulos, Senior Men’s coach is pleased with the way his team is shaping up saying “the senior men’s squad is looking quite strong. Leading NBN State League player John Bennis and Chris Berlin will bring added quality and experience into the side which we will need playing the likes of NSW and Victoria”

John Bennis is also looking forward to the challenge saying” I have represented NNSW before in futsal and I love it. I was lucky enough to be selected to travel to Brazil to play futsal and am excited to be part of this NNSW team as I think we can do some good things in Canberra”

On futsal in general John says “I can’t speak highly enough of the sport. I think it is great, definitely one of the best ways to develop your game while you’re not playing and training. It improves your touch and your decision making while playing in a tight, physically demanding environment.”

If you would like more information about the 2009 FFA Futsal National Championships please call Community Football Manager Peter Haynes on 0249 648922 or 0408 863945

Source : Northern NSW Football
Published : 17/11/2008

The 2008 Annual General Meeting will be held at the ASB Stadium Lounge, Cnr Kepa and Kohimarama Rd, Kohimarama Auckland at 7:30pm on Wednesday 17th December. Contact us for an Agenda

Source : New Zealand Futsal
Published : 17/11/2008

The under 13 component of the Melbourne Futsal League successfully kicked off last Sunday 16th November.

With the day hosted by Australian Futsal Group at Caroline Springs, all players and match officials were once again streated to a large crowd with plenty of vocal support for all teams.

The day started off with an explosive first match between Melbourne Reds and the Australian Futsal Group. The match was highly skillful and fast paced with the Australian Futsal Group rallying with the home crowd to come from 2-0 down at half time to secure a 2-2 draw and a crucial point against a well disciplined Melbourne Reds.

The Victorian Lions also competed in there first competitive matches, starting off with a 6-3 win against Victory Fives Futsal Club.

From start to finish, the whole day provided plenty of skill, action and great enthusiasm for Futsal in general.

The Melbourne Futsal League is proving a positive step in the right direction for the sport in Victoria.

The Victorian Lions Futsal Club will host the next round of the Melbourne Futsal League on November 30th at Springers Leisure Centre.

Click here for more information regarding the Melbourne Futsal League.

Source : Football Federation Victoria
Published : 17/11/2008

Saturday night saw the Tasmanian Supa Liga open up with Tassal Stripes moving to equal top of the competition with Sandy Bay Storm with a game in hand.

In what was the game of the competition so far the Tassal Stripes stamped their authority on the competition with a cracking win against the Tasmanian Islanders Southern Youth team. The youth team welcomed back star player DiPendra Kunwar and from the outset put the Stripes under pressure and dominated proceedings in the first half but could not find a way past Stripes goalkeeper Michael McKenna who was in red hot form. The state mens goalkeeper thwarted Kunwar and fellow attacker Mathew Chapman on numerous occasions and the longer the game went on the more McKenna looked unbeatable as he single handedly kept his team in the game. Just before half time the Stripes took the lead through one of the best individual goals of the tournament by Jon Foley-Donaghue and the scores stayed at 1-0 at the break. The second half started much the same with the youth team peppering the Stripes goal that seemed to be impenetrable at times and slowly the confidence of the youth team was dropping as they found no way through McKenna’s defense.

The Stripes then went on a burst of their own which saw the youth team goal under threat and some fine saves coming from Ricky Chew prevented several efforts from Foley-Donaghue and Fred Assenheimer before finally the Stripes broke through with a few quick goals to open the game up.

The Youth team fought bravely all game and Jamie Vernon finally pulled a goal back for them but it was too little too late as Tassal held on to eventually a resounding 6-1 win to go equal at the top in what was a game which showed high skill all round and showcased two of the best keepers in the competition in Michael McKenna and Ricky Chew head to head. For the Stripes scorers were Huw Jarvis 3, Seth Van Heyster 1, Fred Assenheimer 1 and Foley-Donaghue 1 while Vernon was the only scorer for the youth team.

In the first game of the night table topping Sandy Bay Storm came crashing to its first defeat when well-fancied Northern Fusion showed what it is capable of with a 9-6 upset victory. With both teams missing players it was Storm who suffered the most with tournament top scorer Corey Smith, Star Brazilian Import Igor Sao Jose and dynamic flanker Josh Fielding all missing from the line up. From the outset the Storm lacked shape and Fusion took advantage of this through experienced attacker Will Gee slotting three goals early in the first half through good finishing after some slack Storm defending. Storm’s main threat in the game came from Kosta Grillas who took over as tournament top scorer with three goals to take his tally to 12 but Grillas lacked service and found the going tough. Fusion were very solid at the back through Andrew Davies and shut down the Storm options well and with the Storm being a little one dimensional the Northern outfit completed the victory convincingly. Goals for Fusion came from Davies 4, Gee 3 and Shay Hickey while Storm replied through Grillas with 3, the very impressive Callan Griffin with 2 who worked hard all game and Martin Cairns 1.

In the other game of the round Newstead Blues defeated Tasmanian Islanders Northern Youth 10-3.

This saturday sees Northern Fusion take on the high flying Tassal Stripes in what will be game of the round with the Stripes having a chance of the outright lead in the competition while the Fusion could make it a three way tie at the top if they were to take all three points. Both teams will be a full strength and a good result for either could show their rivals what they have in store. The Tasmanian Islanders Southern and Northern Youth sides play-off in a game that should have plenty of feeling as the two sides will be out to prove who has the best young talent in the usual North vs South rivalry. The Southerners go in as strong favourites after recent performances in the competition. The final game of the round will see the improved Newstead Blues take on Hobart Utd and a very close match is expected in this one with both teams very evenly matched across the board. Games kick off at Moonah Sports Centre at 6pm Saturday.

Source : Tas Futsal
Published : 17/11/2008

A Park Ridge side has not let the absence of a coach hinder its charge to state success, claiming the recent under-14 Vikings Futsal Country title at Caloundra.The six-man squad – Randall Kirk, Jamie Rivett, Jordi White, Brent Dawson, Jason Karan-Cole and Dan Vella – produced a clinical display against rivals from as far north as Bundaberg to northern NSW.

After cruising through the preliminary rounds, including a 16-0 triumph, the side notched a 9-1 semi-final win before a 13-1 victory in the November 9 showpiece.

The results were made all the more impressive due to a lack of coaching staff – not that it affected them.

“They just went and signed there own team up,” Rivett’s mother, Julie McCorry, said.

“They thought they would have a crack at this thing.”

“A coach would probably have a negative impact on them anyway.”

“They do what they would do if they a had a coach. You see them doing all the drills.”

Ms McCorry said team spirit – not skill alone – was the secret to the team’s success.

Nearly all of the squad have representative honours at either futsal or outdoor soccer level.

“They played really well down there and beat everybody,” she said.

“But every time somebody made a mistake there was somebody there to pat them on the back.”

“They have got skill but they have got that team spirit.”

Kirk, Rivett, White and Dawson all attend Marsden High School while Karan-Cole goes to Trinity College Beenleigh and Vella to Browns Plains.

Source : Logan West Leader
Published : 17/11/2008

Leaving Ipswich’s heatwave conditions to play where it’s snowing will be one of the challenges for aspiring professional futsal player Scott Fenn.

Heading off to the earthquake-devastated Chinese region of Chengdu is another unknown for the Ipswich talent.

“I’m a bit worried about things but I’m mainly taking it as a massive opportunity,” Fenn said yesterday.

Thousands of people were killed or left homeless when China’s largest earthquake since 1976 hit Chengdu in May.

Despite that concern, Yamanto-based Fenn leaves Ipswich tomorrow knowing the rare futsal chance he’s been given.

He’s been invited by the University of Chengdu in south-western China to spend eight months with a team in the national league.

Having benefited from three months training with elite futsal players and coaches in Brazil last year, Fenn sees the latest trip as a stepping stone to a possible professional contract.

“Asia is growing in futsal and China is up there. They (China) beat Australia this year to make the World Cup,” Fenn, 20, said.

“I will be trying to impress the right people.”

As the first international player offered the food and accommodation arrangement, Fenn expects to be part of an intensive season.

“Here, we play probably 10 (major) games a year before the nationals come around,” the Queensland representative said.

“In China, playing about 60 games in seven months is going to be more than ever.”

Fenn was invited to China after South Australian coach Tom Miletic recommended the Ipswich product to Chinese officials.

As he prepared to leave for China, Fenn yesterday enjoyed a surprise party put on by his family.

It could be the last time he experiences hot conditions for a while as he’s expecting seven degree temperatures and even snow in Chengdu.

“I think the hardest thing is going to be the language barrier, but I learnt Chinese for six years at primary school (St Mary’s),” he said.

Fenn said his stint in Brazil last year helped him in all aspects of the game.

“Skill wise, there’s a big difference between Australia and Brazil,” the former Ipswich Grammar School student said.

“They play a lot faster game. I got to bring a lot of knowledge back.”

Fenn played outdoor football for Premier League club Taringa this season “to stay fit”.

However, he said futsal was his future.

“It is my passion. It’s just seeing what’s possible in Brazil,” Fenn said, having recently helped the Queensland side reach the final of the International Cup in New Zealand.

“If this (China trip) works out, I can hopefully go back next year.”

Time in China has another appeal for the second-year civil engineering student.

“It’s only recently that I realised you could still study overseas,” Fenn said.

“Now I can do both studying and playing.”

Source : The Queensland Times
By : David Lems
Published : 17/11/2008

Sydney Benfica held off a late rally from Dural to win their round 6 Womens Super League contest and thus leapfrog Dural in the competition standings.

The game started with both teams settling quickly and looking to assert a dominance over the other with some entertaining open play. Dural were perhaps shading the possession but both keepers were being kept busy.

Stand-in keeper Rachael Hui was on hand to make a quick reaction save from Candelari’s close range header and tipped a goalbound shot from Sim-Sing over bar. Benfica keeper Abi-Sassine made a smart save from Durals Demelza Howard.

Benfica broke the deadlock when Stopps dispossessed a Dural defender and ran on to slot the ball passed the keeper.

Sydney Benfica then caught Dural off guard as they doubled their advantage almost immediately after the restart when Di Martino hit a long range effort that flew past the keeper into the right hand side of the net to make it 2-0.

Dural redoubled their efforts to get back into the game and peppered the Benfica keeper in search of a goal. But the Benfica defence had been strong all half at closing Dural down by denying them time and space anywhere within scoring range.

Just after half time Benfica asserted control of the game when a long throw down court saw Benfica’s Candelari sneak around behind the Dural defence and left with a one on one with keeper coolly slotted the ball home to make it 3-0.

The 3-0 scoreline perhaps not fully representing the closeness of possession and goal attempts of the two sides.

Dural finally got some reward when Zineta De Beer ran on to a pass and slid the ball past the keeper to make it 3-1.

Dural were back in the game game when Demelza Howard finished off a smart three player move. Zineta De Beer quickly slipped the ball to Caitlin Mahony whose pass across the face of the goal found Howard free to bury the ball from close range.

The game went from end to end with Dural looking to level and Benfica striving to give themselves a bigger lead with both keepers called upon to make crucial saves.

But in the end Benfica held off Durals challenge to claim all three points in a hard fought and entertaining game from both sides.

Source : Football NSW
Published : 17/11/2008

Dural Warriors scored in the dying minutes of the game to win a pulsating match 4-3 against top of the table rivals Sydney Benfica at Marrickville on Sunday evening. The game highlighted all the pace, skill and competitiveness that Super League Futsal has to offer.

Dural got off to the best possible start early on when Tobias Seeto caught Benfica unawares by choosing to strike a shot from the half way line that whistled into the bottom right corner.

The game was being played at a fast tempo right from the opening whistle with both sides sharing about equal possession in the first half. Benfica were the more desparate to score and tested Dural keeper Ian Pemberton on more occasions. One effort saw a long throw from Benfica keeper Da Palma to Simao who headed goalward only to see Pemberton pull off a fingertip save onto the post and away to safety.

Dural almost doubled their lead when Benfica keeper Da Palma injected himself into the play and lost possession over half way Ben Lawson seized control of the ball and from deep in his own court his long range effort went inches wide.

Nearing the end of the first half amazingly Da Palma injected himself into the play again but this time with a different result. The Benfica keeper ran down court passed to Simao who found Candelari who then cut inside defenders and buried the ball low into the right side of the net much to the relief and joy of the Benfica side. The sides going to break at 1-1

The second half began almost same as the first with Dural scoring in the opening minutes when Engelo Rumora struck his shot into the bottom right corner of the net.

Benfica were caught napping when Rhys Giovenali found Ben Lawson who turned his marker out on the left touchline and thumped his shot inside the near post to double

Durals advantage to 3-1

A period followed where both keepers were forced into making desperate saves to keep their sides in the game as the play swept from end to end.

Benfica finally got the goal they needed when Dural lost possession deep in their own half. The ball was passed to Akil who volleyed an unstoppable shot into the net.

Soon after Benfica were on level terms when Ongaratto smashed the ball home from a freekick to make it 3-3. Only a few minutes earlier Benfica were looking like the game was getting away from them now they were level.

Dural halted Benficas march and the game again swept from end to end with players putting the bodies in the way of stinging shots to prevent a goal. Durals Ben Stapylton crashed a shot against the bar and Benfica’s Candelari heading just over from close range.

In the dying minutes Dural scored the decisive goal when Tobias Seeto seized on a loose ball and toe poked the ball into the net to give Dural the win and maintain top spot.

Benfica will console themselves that they won most of the games on the day and may leapfrog Dural in the race for the club championship.

This was a fantastic display by both sets of players where neither side deserved to lose and a ringing endorsement of Futsal in general.

Source : Football NSW
Published : 17/11/2008