Courtesy: Fraser Coast Chronicle


Best mates set for futsal champs

by Griffith Thomas

1st June 2012

TWELVE months ago, the thought of playing futsal hadn't entered the minds of Ryley Sauer and Luke Gibbons.

Now they will represent their state in the sport.

Sauer, of Aldershot, and Gibbons, of Torbanlea, both 12, were two of eight players from Fraser Coast selected to play for Queensland Country at next year's national junior championships after their efforts at the junior regional championships.

The duo was supposed to line up for Wide Bay at the under-13 tournament, but received a late call-up to play in the under-14 and under-15 competitions instead.

Despite Wide Bay failing to win a game, it didn't reflect the performances of Sauer and Gibbons.

"We knew we played well, but we didn't expect we would be picked," Sauer said.

"We hadn't been playing for a year and we were still learning some of the rules."

The best of mates away from the game, the pair started playing football when they were eight and were once rivals on the field.

They met during a Maryborough football representative trial in 2010 and have been playing futsal together since December.

Sauer, who plays in defence for Sunbury, said making the Queensland Country team alongside Gibbons made it extra special.

"It's a huge accomplishment for us to get in the side together," he said.

"The whole purpose of us going down to the regional championships was as a bonding experience as families and to achieve something together and experience something new."

Before the championships Gibbons, a versatile player for Doon Villa, said he started playing futsal for fun and to learn some new techniques to help his game on the football pitch.

Now he's itching to make his debut at a national level.

"I never thought I would ever get the chance to represent my state, especially in a sport I've never played much before," he said.

"It's something new and something I'm very proud of."

Gibbons and Sauer will play in the 13-years boys' division at the national junior championships in January.

Gibbons admits it is a tough prospect competing against the cream of young players from around Australia.


STATE SELECTION

Fraser Coast players named in Queensland Country teams to compete at nationals

David Ezzy (12 years boys)
Ryley Sauer (13 years boys)
Luke Gibbons (13 years boys)
Joseph Povey (14 years boys)
Beau Mackie (15 years boys)
Britney Povey (12 years girls)
Shannon Stewart (14 years girls)
Brooke White (16 years girls)




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