QUEENSLAND FUTSAL NEWSLETTER
MONDAY 13TH OCTOBER 2003

Futsal News from Australia and around

The New Zealand Men’s Futsal team is coming to Queensland this week to play a two game series against the DAL PONTE VIKINGS. They arrive on Monday 13th October and depart on Saturday 18th October and will train during the day at the State training centre at Acacia Ridge. Games will be played against the Vikings on Wednesday and Thursday nights at ANZ Indoor Stadium, Kessels Road, Nathan (where the Broncos used to play). In the latest FIFA World rankings, New Zealand were ranked 66 in the world, so it will be a good test for the Vikings. Schedule is:

15th Oct (Wednesday Night)
7.00 PM Women’s Vikings v Allstars
8.15 PM Vikings v New Zealand

16th Oct (Thursday Night)
7.30 PM Vikings v New Zealand

SPECTATORS WELCOME AND FREE !!!!!!!!

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

DATES FOR 2004 WORLD CUP RELEASED
Unofficially I have been told the dates for the 2004 World Cup in Taiwan are from either 21st or 29th November for two weeks. This would hopefully put the now postponed Oceania Titles somewhere (we hope) around July /August. Stay tuned for an official announcement.

WORLD FUTSAL RANKINGS RELEASED
The very first FIFA World Futsal rankings have been released with some very interesting results. Australia comes in at 20th, Fiji at 37th, PNG at 52nd and New Zealand at 66th. The leaders were in order Brazil 1st, Spain 2nd and Italy 3rd. Due to its performance at the last World Cup, Australia was previously unofficially rated 14th. See more at www.futsalplanet.com

PYRAMIDS CUP PLAYED
The Pyramids Cup was completed last week in Egypt, with both Brazil and Argentina surprisingly knocked out in the semi finals. Mauricio, our ex Director of Coaching was there as supervisor of the Brazil team and tells me it is an excellent tournament in an excellent location (outside the Pyramids). Maybe one day, with a bit of luck, Australia will get an invite.

OCEANIA WORLD CUP PLAY OFFS CANCELLED
The Oceania World Cup Playoffs have been cancelled form next week to June/July/August next year. With Fiji dropping out due to financial constraints, it left the tournament with only three teams. It is hoped that by June next year, more Oceania countries will want to enter.

FUTSAL IN PARAOLYMPICS
It has been announced that Futsal will be in the ParaOlympics 2004 in Greece. Although not announced what area of disability, I suspect it will be Cerebal Palsy as per the seven a side soccer tournament at the last Para Olympics. This is another positive step for Futsal and hopefully will lead to us eventually being named in the mainstream Olympics.

THAILAND FIVES TO GO AHEAD
The Thailand Fives will take place from the 20th to 23rd November at the Nimbutr Stadium in Bangkok. The competing nations are Brazil, Russia, Japan and Thailand and the tournament will be fully televised on Thai TV. This is one of a number of world tournaments springing up, and hopefully one day Australia will have its own. More details on www.futsalplanet.com.

UK TOUR LEAVES
Last Monday the UK “ Tour of a Lifetime’ left for the Old Country. This is the fourth UK tour and includes a weeks training and games at Norwich Soccer Club, games against Burnley and Blackburn Youth soccer teams and Futsal games against Pendle and York Clubs. This year’s tour has total party of 43, a record for a UK tour, and future ones will prove to be even better.

NEXT EXCHANGE PROGRAMME MEMBERS NAMED
Queensland Futsal have selected the next two students to attend Colegio Santo Antonio on the Exchange Programme. Daniel Liddy and Robert Matta (both 14) from St. Francis College in Logan City, will leave in January to stay in Brazil for six months and will return with two students from Belo Horizonte in Brazil. While there they will have Futsal training at Santo Antonio and also have soccer training at Brazil Champions CRUZERIO. This is the sixth year of the Exchange programme and I know it has been a benefit to all involved.

OVERSEAS FUTSAL TOURS COMING UP

Brazil - 21st Nov to 10th Dec 2003
New Zealand - 28th Nov to 10th Dec 2003
Brazil (Dal Ponte Vikings) - 19th to 7th February 2004
Spain/Portugal - 15th April to 4th May 2004
Brazil - 7th May to 25th May 2004
England - 14th April to 3rd May 2004

NATIONAL NEWS

NATIONAL SCHOOL TITLES RUN WELL
Queensland hosted the 2003 National School Titles and happy to say everything ran smoothly. NSW were the champion state, followed closely by ACT. In both tournaments a total of 138 teams entered, the largest figures in many years. Full results of both the interstate and interschool tournament can be viewed on www.qldfutsal.com.au.

NATIONAL CLUB TITLES NEWS
Training for Queensland Club teams for the 2004 titles begins on the weekend of 25th October. Training will be held at Enoggerra, Acacia Ridge, Sunshine Coast and Rockhampton. If you haven’t heard from your coach by this date give Gui a ring on 38752600. The national school titles are this year in Canberra.

NEW CONSTITUTIONS FOR STATE SOCCER BODIES RELEASED
As most people are aware the National government has been instrumental in putting a new board and structure in place for soccer in Australia. Last week all state soccer bodies were sent new constitutions to put into place in their respective states, with the addendum they had to be in place by 1st January 2004. The position of Futsal in this model is interesting so stay tuned for future news !!!!

ASC SPORT STATISTICS INTERESTING FOR FUTSAL
The Australian Sports Commission has released interesting results for their 2002 sport/recreation survey. Their survey showed that 291,500 people regularly played some form of Indoor Soccer across the country!!!! (note: outdoor soccer was more than double this). Now I must admit this surprises me as well.
However it is an independent survey and augers well for the future potential of our sport.
It puts indoor soccer well up there as a major recreation of Australians.

STATE NEWS

QUEENSLAND RAILWAYS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FUTSAL PLAYERS
Queensland Railways has announced its sports scholarships for 2003/2004 and we are very excited with the news that two Futsal players are recipients. This is the first time Futsal has been recognized by this scholarship. Jessica Smith from Townsville and Cameron Pratt from Rockhampton are two of twelve from all sports. Congratulations to both of them and keep on futsalling!!!

NEW CLUBS UNDERWAY
The September signons have again seen excellent sign results at new clubs. Welcome to North Cairns, Cairns City, Innisfail, Ayr, Pimlico, Gladstone, Gympie, Redcliffe, Ennogerra, Wynnum, Centenary, Forest Lake, Cleveland, Eastern Suburbs (Ipswich), Beaudesert and Merrimac.
At our other clubs we have also seen large increases so once again we are looking forward to a big season.

CHANTELLE CRAMB CUP
The Chantelle Cramb Cup is on again in Toowoomba. Open to all schools across Queensland, it is a one day (Saturday 25th October) competition played in the age groups 15 boys and 19 boys and 15 girls and open girls. Enquiries to April on 38752600 or email a.mann@qldfutsal.com.au.
This will be the fifth ‘Cramb’, so lets make it big again.

COUNTRY TITLES
The Country Titles are on again at Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast. They will be held over the weekend of 8th/9th November and record nominations are expected. If you have any queries re the tournament or want an entry form contact April in the office on 38752600 or email a.mann@qldfutsal.com.au. Age groups offered are 10,12,14,16 boys and Open Men, and 14,16 girls and Open Women.
If you are looking for accommodation during the tournament, Therese Bock from the Fighting Fairies team at Mt Gravatt Club has block booked a Resort at Caloundra for South Brisbane teams at very cheap rates. For further information ring Griffin Holidays on 32720555 and mention the Queensland Futsal booking.

CENTRAL QUEENSLAND TITLES
The first Central Queensland Futsal Titles will be held on Sunday 2nd November at the CQ University Stadium, Rockhampton. Age groups offered are 10,12,14,16 boys and open men and 16 girls and open women. At these titles regional representative teams to attend the 2004 regional titles will be selected, and with excellent sign ons at
Gladstone and Rockhampton we are expecting a good turnout. For enquiries ring Gail Jasperson on 49210366 or 0408 780612.

SCHOOL CHAMPIONS OF CHAMPIONS
Next week the school Champion of Champions will be played at Cornubia Insports, Logan City from Monday the 20th to Thursday 23rd October. The Champion of Champions is where all the champion teams from all the different state school championships come together to find the champion school in Queensland in twelve age groups.
The champion schools receive a Futsal pack valued at $1200 for open girls and boys and $600 for other age groups. The draw will be on the website from Thursday morning this week.

COACHING COURSE
This weekend, the 18th and 19th October a Level One coaching course will be held at Acacia Ridge. If you are interested in attending please email Richard Littler on r.littler@qldfutsal.com.au or ring 38752600.

WELCOME TO IAN BENTALL
Queensland Futsal has appointed Ian Bentall education officer for the association. Ian, who was previously heavily involved with the sport in NSW for nearly 15 years, had retired to the Gold Coast but is taking on this part time position. Ian has served as an international coach of junior teams and manager of the men’s national team as well as coach many NSW state sides. Ian will be responsible for the running of all referees and coaching courses as well as carry out bi annual referees inspections.

WHATS COMING UP-DATES TO REMEMBER

20th/23rd October - School Champion of Champions - Cornubia
25th October - Chantelle Cramb Cup - Toowoomba
2nd November - Central Queensland Titles - Rockhampton
8th/9th November - Country Titles - Caloundra
29/30th November - NQ Titles - Townsville

HUMOUR

A quote from a non footballer ……..

Non-Football Quote Of The Day From our friends on Planet-F1:

Question: "Has it been a bit strange over the last couple of weeks, because you're fairly certain to be World Champion - but you're not? How difficult has that been?"

Michael Schumacher: "Not so difficult because my mathematics are quite good and I obviously feel that I am the champion if I am and I'm not. So a lot of people think that the thing is done, most of the people do, but I don't think so."

AND

Some quotes from one of England’s more famous coaches……Kevin Keegan

“ It’s like a toaster, the refs shirt pocket. Every time’s there’s a tackle, up pops a yellow card. “

“ The good news for Nigeria is that they’re two-nil down very early in the game. “

“ I’d love to be a mole on the wall in the Liverpool dressing room. “

“ They’re the second best team in the world, and there’s no higher praise than that. “

“ Chile have three options….they could win or they could lose. “

“ I came to Nantes two years ago and it’s much the same today, except that it’s completely different. “

(Thanks to the website of Kingborough Soccer Club in Tasmania for these….more at www.klusc.org.au )