Courtesy: Ipswich News


Futsal girls off to Brazil

11 Nov 10

by Brent O'Neill

BEST friends Ashleigh Knight and Katelyn Muckert admit they were not sure what futsal was when they took up the sport in 2007.

Introduced to the five-a-side version of indoor soccer at their school, Bremer State High, three years ago, the 16 year olds have overcome their lack of knowledge to stamp themselves as two of the country’s brightest stars.

The pair, both strikers, will head to South America in August next year after being chosen for the Australian Vikings Youth Futsal Team’s Centre of Excellence Tour of Brazil. Based at Brazilian Football Confederation training centre Granja Comary the same facility utilised by the likes of Robinho, Kaka and Ronaldinho Knight and Muckert will face off against the best schoolgirl sides in Brazil.

With former Brazilian national futsal league player and coach Mauricio Marques set to take the reins of the Vikings side, Eastern Heights-based Knight said she could not wait to start her two-week sojourn.

``I was basically running up and down the hallway screaming (when I was chosen), just with all the opportunities we will get. I have to admit I’m looking forward to the beach too,’’ she said.

Knight and Muckert were chosen for the tour after dominating for Queensland at the national school titles in September.

Muckert said learning the game with Knight had helped them form a lethal combination.

``I know what she’s going to do and she knows what I’m going to do. The fact we’re best friends and are going to Brazil together, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity right there,’’ the Churchill resident said.

``It’s going to be amazing.’‘

The families of both girls are hoping to raise $7000 each to cover the cost of the tour.

Contact Shannette Knight on 0419702309


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