Courtesy: Maroondah Weekly


Lee Poole: Sights set on round ball success

by Roy Ward

WARRANWOOD futsal player Lee Poole can't wait to represent Victoria in the under-14 national championships in Canberra in January.
The 14-year-old has tried his hand at a number of sports but has now set his sights on success with the round ball in both soccer and indoor football, known as futsal.

The fleet-footed forward has shown some flair for the indoor game that pits teams of five (four players, one goalkeeper) against each other in a shortened area similar to a basketball court.

Poole, who also plays for Bulleen, said he wanted to help Victoria to the title.

"Last time Victoria played they won it," he said. "So we hope to do it again."

Futsal forwards can end up a little lonely at times with teams fielding three defenders and one forward but Poole said he rarely felt alone, with teammates streaming forward to help in attack.

"Someone always pushes forward to help so that makes it easier," he said.

Poole survived a series of try-outs to make the Victorian team although he played well during the trials.

He also thanked his coach Edgard Vatcky, who is also the Football Federation Victoria director of coaching.

"He has helped me with my skills," he said. "In futsal you need to have really good skills because the game is played in small spaces. He has helped me a lot."

Poole is also excited about a possible tour to Spain next year with The Cobras, his Melbourne Futsal League side.

The team is hoping to train and play against a leading Spanish side and watch some professional futsal teams in action.

The Norwood Secondary College student said he was eventually aiming to represent Australia in futsal and also earn a contract playing in the A-League with his team, the Melbourne Victory.


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