Courtesy: Auckland Stuff


A first for futsal

15/06/2011

by Esther Lauaki

Miro Major is quick on his feet – and he's paving the way for future futsal competitors as the first Oceania Football Conference player of the year.

He was recognised at the New Zealand Football Awards held in Auckland in May for his achievements over the 2010 season.

The Mt Wellington athlete has been playing for 10 years but got involved more seriously when a national league nicknamed the Futsal Whites was formed in 2009.

"It feels great. This is the first time futsal has been included in the New Zealand Football Association's awards and I'm pleased to be the first player of the year," he says.

Major is from Croatia where the game is very popular.

He says the number of youngsters taking up the sport in New Zealand has grown from 1000 to more than 7000 since the national team was established.

"Futsal is huge in Europe and Brazil, where the sport originated, because it's what they play from when they are little kids.

"It helps develop your skills, it's very fast and you have to do more," he says.

"In Croatia we always used to play.

"We just did it to play together and make friends. Not everybody plays outdoor football so we'd just play indoor so everybody could join in. It's very competitive."

Major was nominated for the award along with East City teammate 18-year-old Dylan Manickum, based on their star performances at the Oceania Futsal Championships last August.

The experienced flanker is now gearing up for another season starting this month with the Arabian Knights.

He says his love of the game will keep him playing for "as long as my body will let me".





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