Courtesy: Star Canterbury


Wales heads to China for futsal

by Nick Tolerton

11th August 2009

Linwood College sportsman Trent Wales is set for a dream trip with the New Zealand 17s futsal team that will tour China this month.

The side has tournaments or matches in Foshan, Guangzhou and Macau, and will train with the Guangzhou national league team.

"I’m pretty excited about it," he said. "It’s all a bit new. But it should be a great trip, and enjoying a different culture."

The 17-year-old from Sumner plays in his school team that competes in the top men’s division at QEII Park on Sundays after winning division two earlier this year.

"It’s a step up, but we’re doing all right," he said.

"Futsal has really taken off at our school, mainly due to maths teacher Tom Davies who got it under way.

"We’d all played indoor soccer and we had our first futsal tournament a couple of years ago, and it grew from that."

Linwood College won the national school champion of champions tournament in Queenstown last year, and were runners-up this year in Dunedin.

The New Zealand team leaves for China on August 18, and will prepare by competing in the Viking provincial tournament in Christchurch before they go.

Wales has also played soccer since he was five, and this year plays in central midfield or up front for the Ferrymead Bays 19th grade side.

He also enjoys recreational skiing, surfing, and kiteboarding.







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