Courtesy: BC Local News


Futsal team takes bronze

February 20, 2009

Racing down the gymnasium the futsal player takes aim with his cleat, netting a crucial goal.

A futsal team composed of 10 youth soccer players from Quesnel took home the bronze medal at the Northern B.C. Winter Games in Mackenzie last weekend.

“Futsal is a lot faster than soccer which allows players to develop their footwork skills,” coach Mike Page said.

“Your under pressure all the time to move the ball because the game is played in such a small area.

“Opposing players are always on you so you have to create space a lot quicker.”

The Quesnel team, composed of 10 local youth ranging in age from 12-14, was the youngest team at the tournament, with only one 14 year-old on the squad.

In preparation for the tournament, the team held eight two-hour practices, but did not play any competitive matches prior to the Winter Games because Quesnel has the only organized futsal team within the Cariboo Region.

At practices Page ran drills for the first hour and divided players into teams for a pick-up game (played to music) during the second half of the practice.

Last Thursday, Page and his team packed up their soccer kit and boarded the B.C. Winter Games bus en route to Mackenzie.

“Before the games began the players were a bit nervous, not knowing what to expect because they had never played a competitive game before, but they were also really excited,” Page said.

In the bronze medal game, Quesnel took on Mackenzie in a clean, sportsmanlike match.

Quesnel dominated.

Their offensive line was firing on all cylinders, rallying for 15 goals, as the defence shut the door on Mackenzie allowing only four goals throughout the game as Quesnel sailed to victory, with a bronze medal finish.

In their second match-up Quesnel was defeated 10-4 by Dawson Creek.

“Although we didn’t get the results we were hoping for, Quesnel played an excellent game,” Page said.

“We started off slow but carried the play for the entire game; we had a few minor breakdowns on defence but generated several scoring opportunities which gave us a chance for the win.”

In Quesnel’s first game they were defeated by Terrace 11-4.

In the game, Quesnel came out flying, scoring the first goal against Terrace who stepped up their offence in the second half, scoring a flurry of unanswered goals to overpower the younger more inexperienced Quesnel team.

“Against Terrace we got a real feel for the game,” Page said.

“We used the game as a learning experience.”

Although defeated, the Quesnel squad remained positive, quickly regrouping for the next game.

“Our bronze medal finish was a result of an overall team effort,” Page said.

“Everyone on the team contributed, all 10 players scored, even the goalie.”

The futsal team plans to continue playing into spring, but will take a break to celebrate their bronze medal finish with a team photo and dinner this weekend.

“We’re already preparing for next year’s Games,” Page said.

“Next year we’ll be more of a veteran team, older, wiser and ready to compete.”

This is the first year Quesnel has fielded a futsal team, but next season QYSA plans to expand the program to include a female team in addition to the male team.

“I enjoy coaching because I love working with kids and have a real passion for soccer,” Page said.

“I get paid to do something I love, what more could you ask for?”

Page has grown up coaching a variety of sports such as volleyball, basketball and snowboarding in addition to soccer which he has coached for the last six years.

In addition to coaching both soccer and futsal, Page also plays soccer himself four days a week.

Youth soccer players interested in playing futsal can call QYSA, 250-992-2223 .







Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com