Courtesy: The Manly Daily


Why state title tastes so sweet

2/8/10

by Andrew Prentice

THEY headed out Penrith way early last week with a steely focus, and returned to the peninsula champions.

Mackellar Girls’ senior futsal squad, littered with players from the Northern Beaches Breakers, were tipped to be a contender at Cambridge Park for Football NSW’s schools state championships.

They refused to believe the hype, preferring to do their talking on court.

After their opening games against Bomaderry High (3-0), Domremy College (1-1) and St Paul’s Grammar (6-2), the girls from Manly Vale finished second in their group.

Next obstacle were Endeavour Sports High in the quarter-final, which finished 6-2 in their favour.

Bossley Park High were the next scalp, a 3-1 triumph in the semi-final.

Awaiting them in the decider were Stella Maris College.

“It was pretty amazing to think that just over 20 teams entered the tournament, and in the end two squads from over this way made the final,” captain Alex Kent said.

“We started off pretty slow, but got better each game. A few of the girls play (representative) futsal with the Northern Beaches Breakers and those combinations came in very handy.

“Once we came up against Stella we really wanted to win.

“Beating them (3-1), made it that little bit sweeter.”

Georgia Thomson, who was the youngest player in Mackellar’s eight-strong squad, put the success down to how well the girls bonded on and off the court.

“We got together a few times before the tournament and worked out the best way to play,” the year 8 student said.

“It was pretty tiring playing six games in one day, but as we got closer to the final we preserved our energy and focused on what we had to do.

“Personally it was a big thrill playing with the older girls, hopefully over the next few years we can challenge for the trophy with a new squad.”


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