Courtesy: The Standard


Titles whet appetite for futsal competition

by Jared Lynch

8/07/2009

THE south-west's hopes for the Victorian Futsal Championships were dashed yesterday with all local teams being knocked out of the competition.

For the first time in its three-year history, the indoor soccer titles were held outside metropolitan Melbourne at Warrnambool's Arc Stadium.

Almost 400 soccer players aged 11 to 16 from across the state converged on the city for the championships.

Football Federation Victoria's talented player co-ordinator Anthony Grima said 40 teams competed.

"It was great. Warrnambool Rangers entered three teams and we also had some teams from Camperdown," he said.

"They really enjoyed it and want to establish their own local futsal competition now."

Grima was pleased the south-west teams gave the competition a go, despite some players never being exposed to indoor soccer.

He said the local teams put in a strong effort, losing their games by narrow margins.

"They weren't eliminated because they were of a lower playing standard," Grima said.

"The local teams were really competitive and there were some really close games."

Futsal is a downsized version of regular soccer and is played indoors. It is played by all ages and both sexes.

Grima said the city was chosen to host the titles because soccer's popularity had surged in the south-west.

He said choosing a regional location ensured the sport would continue to grow.

"Football Federation Victoria likes to reward the regions which are doing well."

Grima said a south-west-based futsal competition depended on the interest of the region's sporting clubs.

He said the indoor competition worked well supporting regular outdoor soccer.

"It can be played any time throughout the year, so some players use it for training in the off-season.

"Football Federation Victoria will give local clubs every assistance to develop their own futsal competitions but ultimately it is up to the football clubs (if futsal is successful)."

Results: Under 11 boys' champions: Melbourne Reds; runners-up: Monash City Junior Soccer Club.

Under 12 boys' champions: Australia Bowen Soccer Academy; runners-up: Sandringham WSC.

Under 13 boys' champions: South Melbourne JFC; runners-up: Australian Futsal Group.

Under 14 boys' champions: Benchwarmers; runners-up: St Albans Strikers. Under 15/16 boys' champions: St Albans Strikers; runners-up: Victorian Lions FC.







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