The 7th Fair Play Cheap Thrills Futsal Soccer Competition – Saturday October 16th for the Etiko Trophy.

It’s happening once again… this time at a new venue – the historic Victoria Park in Abbotsford!

The 16 team, 5-a-side tournament raises funds, on and off pitch, for Happy Football Cambodia Australia and the Collingwood Allstars Football Program. The mixed teams come from all corners of the local community, making it a fun and active day for everyone!

With a bar, food and other activities also contributing to the fund raising, the day long competition boasts some great prizes for the winners and for the raffle.

Kicking off at midday, the teams are competing for the Etiko trophy, medals, a slab of Coopers and tickets to catch Melbourne Heart in action.

The Melbourne Heart Junior competition will take place on the inflatable pitch and will see 2 youngsters winning the chance to be a mascot at a Heart game.

Splitrock donate the water for the day, Rent The Rig the soundsystem, and local DJs their time and tunes to keep the day rolling along including: Chestwig, Ennio Styles, Chris Gill, Vince Peach, Manchild, Uber Lingua DJs, Paz, Bass Bin Laden, Cuzn Matt on the PBSFM stage!

If you would like to enter a team in to the competition please contact jon@cheapthrills.com.au or pgrogan@hfcaustralia.org or come down on the day and support the cause. For more info see www.hfcaustralia.org

Click the picture below for the official PDF Press Release.

The Solomon Islands confirmed their status as continental Futsal kings by claiming their third consecutive OFC Futsal Championship in Fiji over the weekend.

Undefeated throughout the six-match tournament played in Suva, the Solomon Islanders continue to track well ahead of next year’s qualifiers for the 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Thailand. The Kurukuru, as the Islanders are known, are looking to repeat their feat of two years ago when they qualified for Brazil 2008, and in the process created history as the first Pacific Islands team to appear at a FIFA tournament.

The manner of their victory over the past week suggests continental hegemony is well deserved. Their slimmest winning margin was four goals with the team slotting away an impressive 59 goals as the Solomons finished well clear of Fiji who edged New Zealand into second spot. Vanuatu claimed fourth place followed by New Caledonia, Tahiti and Tuvalu.

Rising star

Young Kurukuru captain Elliot Ragomo proved to be the sensation of the tournament securing the accolade of top-scorer, just ahead of team-mate Micah Lea’alafa, thanks to a remarkable seven-goal haul in the final outing against minnows Tuvalu. Ragomo, who was the first ever Solomon Islander to play Futsal as a professional with Playas De Castellon in Spain, also picked up the OFC Golden Ball Award.

Coach Dickson Kadau says the performances all week confirm they are on the right track. “I feel like we are improving all the time,’ he said. “The experienced players were all impressive but I have to say some of the youngsters also stood out this week. Coleman Makau was playing in his first OFC tournament and was particularly impressive.”

Hosts Fiji had a solid tournament losing just two matches and finishing runners-up for the fourth time in the seventh edition of the championship. The Fijian line-up was notable for the inclusion of New Zealand-based star striker Roy Krishna, with the Waitakere United speedster a firm favourite among the good crowds that turned up in Suva. Another noteworthy squad member was captain Kamal Hassan, a nominee for the 2009 OFC Player of the Year award.

New Zealand appeared set for second spot until a 6-4 loss in their final outing against New Caledonia saw the Kiwis drop behind Fiji on goal difference. It was nevertheless a welcome return for the New Zealanders who missed last year’s edition of the tournament. “Some of our key players were feeling the effects of a long week,” stated coach Matt Chandler following the final outing against New Caledonia. ”But those are the same players who have a done tremendous job for us in this tournament, so overall, we’re very happy with where we are at. We now know where we have to be to succeed next year in the World Cup qualifiers.”

Vanuatu’s fourth-placed finish meant that they finally ended a remarkably consistent run of six consecutive third placings. Their narrow 3-2 loss to New Zealand in the early stages of the competition ending any hope of that run continuing. Despite losing four of their matches Tahiti maintained a relatively tight defence conceding 16 times across the six matches, which was the equal best in the competition. Goalkeeper Atanui Tetihia earned plaudits for his performances and won the Golden Glove Award for best goalkeeper.

Now a yearly event the OFC Futsal Championship continues to prosper within FIFA’s smallest confederation. “The popularity of Futsal continues to grow around the world and it is no different here in Oceania,” said OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas. “We were encouraged to see seven teams sign up for this year’s championship – three more than in 2009. And with OFC Futsal Development Officer Scott Gilligan working hard to develop the right structures across all of our Member Associations, the future looks bright for Futsal.”

Kids Futsal registrations now open for the upcoming Futsal Season

Venue: Tyndale School, 58 Douglas Road, Blacktown NSW 2148

Nights played

Monday night – 6s and Ladies
Tuesday night – 12s/13s boys and 14s girls
Wednesday – 14s/15s
Thursday – 12s/13s boys
Friday – 16s/17s
Saturday 7s/8s/9s/10s/11s
Sundays Skills Clinic

Please contact for more information Fraser Gray

Ph: 0415 697 812

johanfrasergray@hotmail.com

NZFA caught up with recently appointed NZ Womens Team Manager Rachel Wilson. Rachel is certainly a personality within the sport and has an infectious attitude to Futsal and life in general.

How long have you been playing?

Wilson: Just over 5 years, or since the first season of Womans futsal in Dunedin

What excites you as a player with Futsal?

Wilson: That everyone is involved in the game, even as a keeper in a winning team you can press up and be involved, or there will be a counter attack and you need to be alert. It is great for young kids in that regard, you get many more touches of the ball playing futsal than outdoor.

What was your greatest playing moment as a member of the NZ Womens Side?

Wilson: Being absolutely exhausted in Aussie in 50 degree heat and somehow finding the will to stick an arm out and block a shot. The knowledge that I cared enough to pick myself up and keep going throwing myself around wasn’t my most glamorous moment, but it taught me a lot about myself.

You have played for Otago and New Zealand in Futsal what has been you greatest Futsal moment?

Wilson: Greatest Futsal moment has to be as Coach to the Otago U16 side when they kept the Canterbury U19 to one goal in the second half at the NPC this year. The girls played with so much heart and stuck to the plan, and deserved to feel 10 feet tall as they walked off.

Females are now flocking to Futsal what do you think has been the biggest drawcard to them?

Wilson: That the oppourtinities and coaching available is generally equivalent to the Men, often Woman’s sport seems to be on the back burner or an add on to the men’s games. It helps that futsal is played inside, so it isn’t as cold, and the pitch condition aren’t a factor. Shorter games mean that it is easier to manage around other commitments, and it is being seen as a viable options rather than traditional womans sports like netball for social teams looking for fitness and fun rather than competition. Also, we are a nice bunch :-)

You have recently been named New Zealand Womens Team manager, what will you bring to the role and the team?

Wilson: As manager of the side I hope to help everyone see the best in themselves and their performances, and asist making sure that everyone is feeling 100% at kick off. I hope to do this by helping to deal with the little things that crop up so that the players can focus on the big picture. And I’m extremely proud to be involved with the team.

How do you think the women will go at the Vikings World Championships in Kuala Lumpur?

Wilson: I am sure that we will give our all so that we can walk tall after each game regardless of the result. We have shown in the past we are capable of competing and winning against Australia and the Phillipines, and many of the squad have tour experience after travelling to China last year so understand how to perform in foriegn conditions, so we have a reason to believe we can and will do well.

The Otago women are a young side with huge potential how do you see the the next 12 months shaping up?

Wilson: Getting beaten by the team you coach is always a mixed feeling, but it is great to see many of the younger Woman come through and compete with the senior sides. We have several girls heading to tournaments in Australia in school sides and NZ age group sides in the next 6 months, and hopefully as people realise that futsal is a option to gain national and international experience we will be able to draw more talent in. This mixed with a few ‘oldies’ means we are developing a more balanced team, and hopefully we can be a bit closer to the Canterbury Woman in the senior NPC next year, and maintain and grow the player base.

Who have been your biggest influences in Futsal?

Wilson: Beckie Laurie got me started in the first place, and I am so grateful for her comment ‘ stay in goal, your good at it’, which from Becky is high praise :-) Noran Abaza has been tremendous with her support and friendship as she pelted shots at me in the name of improvement. I have enormous respect for Bex, Mel and Bosch, both on and off the court. And Paul Wadsworth is a big reason as to why I still spend weekends getting nailed in striker friendly drills, as he has given me the oppourtinity to do things I never would have considered otherwise.

What do you think the Future holds for Female Futsal in Otago and New Zealand?

Wilson: I think more people are recognising futsal as a sport in its own right, rather than just complimenting soccer, and this will see the game take off. More and more young woman from Dunedin and around the country are getting oppourtunities to attend tournaments and develop their skills and learn valuable life skills, and meet people from different cities and countries. I have meet and become friends with people from all over NZ, Australia and the Phillipines through futsal, and I think it a very important part of any sport is breaking down cultural barriers and having a fun time together.

Also, attending the kids NPC at Easter was an amazing show case of the talent and passion rising through the age group ranks. I look forward to the younsters relegating me to the coaches bench and watching the sport grow.

The port township of Lyttelton, Christchurch is to get a taste of Futsal when a primary schools league kicks off in Term 4.

The League will be played at the Lyttelton Recreation Centre on a Wednesday and will give children living in and around Lyttelton Harbour access to the great sport of Futsal

The League will kick off on October 13th with a free come and try in the September school holidays with members of the New Zealand Womens Futsal Team

Miller 2010 Summer Season

Sign On Days

The Futsal office will be open until 7pm on the following nights to take entries and answer any questions regarding upcoming competitions

Tuesday 10th & 17th August
Wednesday 11th & 18th August
Friday 13th & 20th August

or call the Vikings Futsal office Monday to Friday during business hours on – 9825 0662

Western Force Futsal Sign On Days

Location : ST CLAIR LEISURE CENTRE
When : Saturday 14th August ( 9-30am to 4-30pm )
Saturday 21st August ( 9-30am to 4-30pm )
Saturday 28th August ( 9-30am to 4-30pm )
Saturday 4th September ( 9-30am to 4-30pm )

Contact : Dawn 0417 437 912
Kim 0412 870 774
or fax 9862 9015

COMPETITIONS START WEEK OF 13TH SEPTEMBER 2010

Vikings Open the door to Europe

In what may be a first for any Australian football club, Vikings Futsal can now offer its members career development path opportunities in both Futsal and outdoor football.

Vikings Futsal have entered an exciting new phase of growth and development with its recent affiliation to RHYL FC, the most powerful and richest club in north Wales.

The appointment of Vikings CEO, Alistair Miller, to the board of Rhyl FC has cemented relations between the two clubs and established a great development pathway into Europe for Vikings members.

Rhyl, in the north of Wales, is within a 90 min drive of some of Englands most famous clubs, Liverpool, Manchester United, Everton, Wigan & Bolton. While they might not quite enjoy the same worldwide profile of their English neighbours, many of those same clubs would envy Rhyl’s record in Europe, having represented Wales in the European Champions League 4 times in the past 7 seasons.

Rhyl are also the base for the Everton FC foundation Academy and one of Evertons major academy locations.

Some of the exciting opportunities that this development brings our members are

• A base for our UK tours. A “Home away from Home’ where where the players will be coached by Everton and Manchester City staff coaches.
• Players identified through Vikings Academies now have the opportunity to be recommended for extended trials with this professional football club. Both Vikings Futsal & Rhyal FC will work together to give players the oppotunity achieve their full potential.
• The establishment of a joint programme for 13 to 17yo players to spend 3 to 6 months experiencing life at a pro club , whilst attending Rhyl College and being part of their football programme, and being in a premier league academy programme.
• Opportunities for tours for Vikings caoches which will include a FA coaching course and visiting Premier League trainings (staff at Rhyl are also FA development officers for football)
• On the womens scene Rhyl are keen to enter a womens team in Welsh Premier League next season, and in what could be considered a move against the flow, Vikings have offered to send a female player/coach to assist with its development.
• Rhyl Head Coach, Greg Strong, will visit Australia in the coming months to run football coaching courses and clinics. Greg amongst other things played for EPL club Wigan and is also Bolton academy coach, Everton foundation coach and accredited to run base FA courses.

Vikings Futsal are also sponsoring Rhyl defender Sam Heenan for this season. Sam is from the Oceania region and, amongst other things, a Papua New Guinean international player.

For more information on Rhyl FC visit the Rhyl FC website : www.rhylfc.co.uk

wafutsal has agreed to a 3 year contract with Kelme as the official clothing supplier. Sponsorship opportunities for the State Team and competitions, are still available for any business interested.

wafutsal State Women will be unable to send a team to the Cairns International Tournament in October due to the unavailability of star players still competing in the Outdoor season.

The Cougars wafutsal State Mens team will, however, be competing in this event. The $10,000 prize purse was too hard to pass on and the team will consist of players from the WA Pumas Gold Coast team which came runners up plus a few additions.

Cougars Squad

Brian Watkins (coach)
Eldon Abrahams
Luke Tidy
Brad Kneebone (GK)
Nestor Fonseca
Robert Ftynogiannis
Kenny Ftynogiannis (GK)
Scott Campbell
Shirash Sasikumar
Jeevan Krishnan
Nitin Naran

Training sessions will be held Wednesday evenings at Scotch College, Saturday mornings at NFBC or Port Beach and Sunday mornings at Melville Rec Centre or Scotch College depending on availability.

wafutsal League, Club and player news:

Over the last couple of weeks there has been speculation of players being unhappy at their clubs. Most notably is last seasons Premier League top goalscorer Diego ‘Big Baby’ Garcia. After leaving Corinthians at the end of last season and playing for Razzling FC in the pre season competition at Scotch, he has now walked out on them and signed for Hammond Park Stars (HPS). HPS have always claimed that all they require to win the league is a prolific goalscorer and now they have one.

This move has sparked alot of unrest at Razzling FC who really need to secure some new players if they are to be competitive this year. Scott Campbell was in Melbourne last week trying to secure the signature of Fernando, but unfortunately they could not come to an agreement.

JJ United have also been actively trialing new players, as they have had new faces at State training sessions every week. Some players have been as young as 16.

JJ has signed on as a Vikings Futsal referee, officiating Tuesdays at Scotch and will also be doing Divsion 1 at Melville on Saturdays.

Cisco Jorquera was seen at State Futsal training on Sunday which has lead to the speculation that his return could be sooner than expected. He did not train due to an ankle njury but mentioned he is feeling good and can’t wait to come back.

Organisers of the State wafutsal Premier League are close to finalizing teams and prizes for the 2010 season scheduled to commence on the 16th of October @ Melville Recreation Centre, Melville. Full competition details and promotions will be advertised mid September for all interested.

This year there will be 8 Premier League teams and 8 Division 1 teams with a mid season Allstar Saturday featuring selected allstars from both divisions.

At this stage both divisions only have one vacant position available, and all teams nominated will be required to confirm their team name & squads by September.

Premier League

Muita Calma
New York Giants
Bad Boys
JJ United
Razzling FC
Hammond Park Stars
Red Star
* Vacant Position

Division 1

Vikings wafutsal State U/15 Boys
Scotch Tues League Allstar Select
Vikings wafutsal State Womens
Harveen’s Select
O’Reily’s Boys
Hammond Park Reserves
Lords Champions
* Vacant Position

Anyone interested in nominating a team or any general enquires please email the below address.

Attention El Abrahams, email: ea9inthegame@hotmail.com

Please also feel free to make comments on the wafutsal Facebook page.

For the 2nd year in a row Vikings Futsal Tasmania will play a series against the visiting Korean International U/13 Football sides in the next week.

The Korean visit will see a tri-series between the U/13 Korean side, Australian National Champions Tasmania South and National School semi finalist North West Tasmania

Also while on tour the Koreans will play outdoor games against the Vikings Futsal All Stars U/12 side and a local under 14 club academy in Hobart

Vikings Futsal as usual are leading the way in terms of touring teams and this is a great opportunity on offer for Tasmania kids.

This is one of many opportunities that Tasmanian Futsal continues to offer and we hope for a successful trip which will see the Korean team send sides again next season.

Click Here for Full Details of Scheduled Korean Visit (PDF)

The Solomon Islands have claimed their third consecutive OFC Futsal Championship at Suva’s Vodafone Arena on Saturday, finishing above runners-up Fiji and New Zealand who took third.

Dickson Kadau’s side concluded the round-robin competition in style with a 21-2 win over Tuvalu which almost matched the tournament record of 23-1 set by the Futsalroos over Samoa back in 1996 when Australia was still part of OFC.

Kurukuru sensation Elliot Ragomo showed why he is one of the best in the region, scoring seven goals in his final match to claim the OFC Golden Boot Award just ahead of teammate Micah Lea’alafa.

Kadau says it was a team effort that took them to the title.

“The experienced players were all impressive but I have to say some of the youngsters also stood out this week. Coleman Makau was playing in his first OFC tournament and was particularly impressive.”

In other action on day seven, Fiji beat Vanuatu 4-0 while New Caledonia upset New Zealand 6-4 to consign the Futsal Whites to third place behind the hosts on goal difference.

Vanuatu meanwhile finish in fourth place followed by Tahiti, New Caledonia and Tuvalu.

Ragomo, who was the first ever Solomon Islander to play futsal as a professional with Playas De Castellyon in Spain, picked up the OFC Golden Ball Award for his outstanding performances throughout the week.

Tahiti’s Atanui Tetihia meanwhile picked up the Golden Glove Award for best goalkeeper as he helped his side restrict the goals to just 16 – equal to table toppers Solomon Islands and Fiji.

The Tahitians also picked up the OFC Fair Play Award.

In 2011 the Oceania event will act as a qualifying tournament for the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012. Next year’s edition is scheduled to take place in May with a decision on the venue coming later this year.

Eric Michalak’s side went into the game with only one win from five matches but saved their best till last with an outstanding team effort.

Fiji meanwhile were also celebrating as the result lifted them to second place above the Futsal Whites on goal difference.

Cedrick Humuni and Caryl Thepinier led the way for New Caledonia with two goals each while Anderson Paulin, Loic Cuanes and Mainon Kaowi also got on the score sheet.

Michalak was delighted to finish the tournament on a high.

“New Zealand are a good team and we knew we had to play well to beat them,” said Michalak.

“I’m proud of the way my players fought back after going down a goal. And they showed character today because we had disappointing results earlier in the week. It tested the team spirit, but we came out on top.”

Micky Malivuk put the Kiwis ahead in the 4th minute with the assist coming from Izaac Martell-O’Hara but Paulin got one back for the New Caledonians shortly after.

The two sides again exchanged goals through Said Soleimanpour and Loic Caunes before Caryl Thepinier scored a timely goal for New Caledonia before the break.

Miro Major was the first to score for New Zealand in the second period but the impressive Humuni put away a fourth for Michalak’s men on 23 minute.

Kaouwi gave his side a two goal lead before Malivuk pulled one back with seven minutes to play. Finally Humuni broke Kiwi hearts with a minute left on the clock scoring New Caledonia’s fifth and his tenth of the week.

New Zealand coach Matt Chandler says the team’s level of fitness was tested today.

“New Caledonia had a break yesterday and we were tired. A lot of our key players were feeling the effects of a long week,” said Chandler.

“But we’ve come a long way. I’ve had this group since the 5th of July and to get these results this week I’m really pleased, I really am.”