Courtesy: Cairns.com.au


Cairns trio making their mark

by Murray Wenzel

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

GOOD mates and even better futsal players, Brendan Marino, Tom Meath and Andrew Stott can all now boast international playing experience at just 15 years old.

The trio – all St Augustine’s College products – have just touched down after a two-and-a-half week tour of England, playing for the under-15 Australian team.

They were left disappointed with the standard, but impressed
by the determination of those who played the lesser-known round-ball sport.

Stott said it had helped him paint a clearer picture of his future.

"They’re a lot more competitive over there than here.

‘‘I think we are all more aware of how far you can go in the sport now," he said.

"We’ve definitely come back better players."

It was especially helpful for the 15-year-old Stott, whose all-round skill has left him with a multitude of sporting options.

He’s six foot and climbing and getting stronger by the day.

It’s no surprise really that every sport he plays he excels at.

Rugby league, rugby union and now futsal – Stott has no trouble fitting in at the top level.

He will start training with the Pride junior academy next week and has captained Cairns teams on the rugby union paddock in the past.

While he still isn’t sure exactly which direction he will go in, Stott was just happy to have his eyes opened.

"Playing for the Futsalroos would be something, but I really don’t know at this stage," he said.

"I’m still young and I’m able to do all three sports still, so I may as well."

He usually takes his place between the goal posts but was used in the field during the tour because he was still recovering from a broken wrist suffered during Pride trials earlier this year.

Playing alongside Meath and Marino in England was the highlight of a partnership that began in year 7 at St Andrew’s Catholic College.

"It was awesome for all three of us to make the side,’’ Stott said.

‘‘We’ve been playing together for so long now."

"I think I have stayed with futsal because I get to play with my mates. It’s such a fast-paced sport too, much different to soccer – a lot more fun."

The trio will head to Sydney to represent the FNQ futsal team in January.


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