Courtesy: Queensland Times


Event to help earthquake-hit clubs

by Chris Garry

12th October 2010

IPSWICH’S futsal community will unite this weekend to raise funds for futsal clubs in the earthquake-ravaged city of Christchurch, New Zealand.

Swifts Futsal club is a member of the Vikings Futsal Association, whose Christchurch clubs were devastated in September’s 7.1 magnitude earthquake.

Nearly all of the Futsal centres in Christchurch were affected by the earthquake with competitions severely delayed.

Swifts Futsal manager Amanda Wenzel said the fundraiser was a great way to kick off the new futsal season.

“This is just our way of helping out the futsal community in New Zealand,” she said. “They were hit hard by it and they need money to rebuild the competition.”

Futsal is undergoing a dramatic increase in popularity in Ipswich.

The St Peter Claver College team is contesting the Oceanic schools tournament on the Gold Coast this month after making it to the grand final of the Queensland tournament.

Wenzel said numbers in the Swifts Futsal League had grown 20 per cent from last season.

“There are a lot more juniors here this season and we have just started an over-30 and over-35 competition which is proving very popular,” Wenzel said.

“Teams can still nominate as well and there is a women’s competition this season also.”

One of the players expected to star in the tournament is Phil Wantenaar who plays football for the Ipswich Knights.

Wantenaar prefers futsal to football. “It’s faster and more skilful,” he said.

“It suits the quicker, light-on-their-feet guys like me.

“It’s just more interesting. There’s never really a dull moment.”

The Swifts Challenge senior men’s tournament will be played on Sunday from 10am at Swifts Booval Bowls Club.

Inquiries on 0418 796 739.


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