Courtesy: Nelson Mail


Nelson's first futsal reps off to nationals

by Josh Reich

Nelson's newest representative teams are on the search for national glory this weekend.

The Nelson Bays Knights (12th grade) and Nelson Bays Blues (14th grade) are taking part in the New Zealand Junior Futsal Championships, which kicks off in Napier tomorrow.

The two sides are the first Nelson Bays futsal teams. The sport is played on indoor courts with a smaller ball and in 20-minute halves.

New Zealand Football has endorsed futsal as a way of developing players, and provided funding to allow the purchase of equipment in Nelson.

Team manager Nigel Pugh said the boys had been training hard and their skills in both futsal and the traditional forms of the game had improved.

"They are going really well actually.

" It's hard to gauge because we haven't had a chance to go against other teams, but I think they will go pretty well."

The teams are coached by Davor Tavich (Knights) and Ben Wright (Blues).

Sixteen players have travelled to Napier, with the matches played five-a-side, with subs.




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