Courtesy: Gladstone Observer


Izzy and the Vikings UK bound

by Liam Butterworth - Junior Sport

25th March 2009

YOUNG Gladstone futsal player, Izzy Wilmshurst, is preparing to venture on a trip of a lifetime.

The 15-year-old will travel to the United Kingdom as part of the U15 girls Australian Vikings futsal team.

The Chanel College student earned her place on the team after a strong performance for the Queensland team at national titles in Melbourne last year, but admits she wasn't expecting the call up.

“I was playing in Melbourne, and then a few days later I got a letter saying I had been selected,” Wilmshurst said.

The surprise of selection aside, Izzy said she was excited about her overseas tour.

“I'm looking forward to it,” she said.

Although the young player is unsure of what to expect with regards to the playing standard over there.

“I've got no idea what it'll be like,” she said.

Izzy has been playing football since she was five-years-old, but has only been involved in futsal for the last three years.

Preferring to play as a defender, she has been playing in a local weekly competition to keep up her skills, while also involved in schools' futsal tournaments in Gladstone.

Last month she was part of a Chanel team which won the Gladstone division of the Interschool Futsal Challenge.

Izzy is one of twelve players selected from around the nation for the tour, and will travel to a training camp on April 14 before jetting of to London.

Not just there for the playing experience though, the Australian team will get the opportunity to do some tourist activities around the English capital.

Although not her first time travelling to Britain, Wilmshurst said she was looking forward to taking in the sights.

“We'll do a little bit of tourist stuff too, so that'll be fun,” she said.

From a playing perspective, the players will travel to Wales and Northern England, visiting Tranmere and Southport in Merseyside and Grimsby in Lincolnshire.

Futsal has experienced a boom in recent years in Australia, with the sport only played in Gladstone for about six years.

Some of the world's most famous footballers including Christiano Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Pele all started their playing days with the indoor version of the game.

Played on a smaller pitch and with a heavier ball, the game allows players to develop quick feet and ball skills.

A handful of players from Gladstone over the past few years have earned selection for national teams, showing the city can produce futsal talent.

Izzy's selection at this level has proven that players from regional centres are able to mix it with the best in the country.







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