OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF QUEENSLAND FUTSAL ASSOCIATION

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 13TH 2004
(Back copies available on the website below)

WEBSITE www.qldfutsal.com.au

ON LINE FUTSAL SHOP www.dalponte.org.au

A FOUNDER MEMBER OF THE SOCCER AUSTRALIA FUTSAL COMMISSION AND AFFILIATE AND MEMBER OF SOCCER QUEENSLAND.

AND

PROUDLY FUNDED BY QUEENSLAND STATE GOVERNMENT OFFICE OF SPORT.

IF YOU ENJOY THIS NEWSLETTER SEND IT ON TO YOUR FRIENDS.

IF YOU DON’T EMAIL US AND WE’LL REMOVE YOUR NAME.

STOP PRESS !!!! STOP PRESS !!!!!! STOP PRESS !!!!!
The Australian media has been full of reports this week of a Queensland Futsal player banned for 20 years from playing, for assaulting a referee at the Sunshine Coast. Much as I do agree with the severity of the sentence I would like everyone to be aware that The player is not registered with Queensland Futsal.
The player was playing 4 a side rebound soccer in an indoor cricket centre NOT Futsal.
We do not recognize, condone or associate with this competition.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

CHENGDU SUCCESSFUL IN SECOND ROUND OF CHINESE LEAGUE
Chengdu Laimei Futsal Club team has won the Championship in the second round of the first Chinese Futsal League in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
Chengdu team won that title on goal difference with 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss, 10 points the same as the Guangzhou and Shanghai Teams. Shanghai was the runner-ups, with Guangzhou, Beijing, Dalian and Wuhan from 3rd to 6th place. Chengdu team ranked came fourth in the first round of the league in Dalian last month. The third round will be held in the last week of February in Beijing. Chengdu will be hosting its round of the league 17th to 21st March and I am going over as a guest of Chengdu Football to observe.
The results are 7:3 won Shanghai, 4:3 won Beijing, 3:2 won Hubei, and 2:4 lost to Guangzhou, 3:3 tied Dalian.
Farinhna, the coach of the Chengdu Laimei Futsal club, has been appointed the coach of China National Futsal team by CFA, Chinese Football Association, and he will be in charge of the selection Of players representing the China Team with the first training camp for the national team in March in Chengdu. He will lead this team to play in the Asian Qualifiers for the Futsal World Cup in April in Macau.

WORLD PLAYER OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCED
Brazilian-born Italian star Adriano Foglia has been named 2003's best futsal player according to the votes of coaches, journalists and technicians by the website www.futsalplanet.com. Among other awards, Spain's Luis Amado took the top goalkeeper prize while his national team boss Javier Lozano was chosen as coach of the year.
I personally voted for Falcao who came in 5th, as I had the pleasure last May of watching him live for Malwee, and he is an artist of his trade.
Foglia, who plays in Italy for Arzignano Grifo, picked up 171 points ahead of Brazil's Schumacher (154) and Lenisio (130) and becomes only the second player to have won the award after another Brazilian Manoel Tobias (4th 113), who scooped the prize in its first three editions. The 22-year old, who finished in 19th position in 2002, featured prominently in March during the Azzurri's run to glory at the UEFA Futsal championship. At the semi-final stage, Italy defeated holders and hot favourites Spain 2-1 with Foglia claiming both strikes.
The match winner of the Final, Bacaro, also featured in the top 10 (8th 51) along with Brazilian Falcao (5th 107), Spaniard Javi Rodriguez (6th 95), Ukrainian Koridze (7th 82), Argentine captain Carlos Sanchez (9th 44) a tally equalled by Asia's top representative Vahid Shamsaee who scored four times in Iran's 6-4 victory against Japan that earned them their fifth consecutive Asian Football Confederation futsal crown.
Costa Rica's Barrantes Rojas, who came in 30th, was voted top CONCACAF player, scoring the same number of points (10) as Africa's best player Mahmoud Abdelhakim of Egypt. And in Blazquez (41st), tiny mountain nation Andorra, lodged between France and Spain, also had a representative among futsal's best.
Despite the heroics of chubby Italian Angelini (254) in his country's victory in the European Championship, he was pipped to the best goalkeeper award by Spain and Boomerang Interviu's Luis Amado (286). The two gained more than double the number of points scored by 3rd ranked Sergio from Spain (103).
It may not have been a vintage year but Spain also came out top in the best coach category. National team boss Javier Lozano was voted ahead of Italy's Alessandro Nuccorini despite the fact the latter had masterminded the Azzurri's impressive victory in the European finals. Argentina's Fernando Larrañaga, who led his team to a historic victory in the South American championship, another success over Brazil in the prestigious Tiger 5 tournament and qualification to the FIFA Futsal World Championship Chinese Taipei 2004, came in 3rd (109) well ahead of Selecao coach Fernando Ferretti (5th 60).
Italy took top honours in the best team category (334), with Spanish club side Boomerang Interviu (228) and Argentina (225) coming in second and third.
The futsalplanet awards have gained increasing respect since their introduction four years ago. And with the FIFA Futsal World Championship taking place in Chinese Taipei in November /December, 2004 looks set to be another exciting year in the world of futsal.

FUTSAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2003:
http://www.futsalplanet.com/news/news-01.asp?id=2360

WORLD FUTSAL GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR 2003:
http://www.futsalplanet.com/news/news-01.asp?id=2359

WORLD FUTSAL COACH OF THE YEAR 2003:
http://www.futsalplanet.com/news/news-01.asp?id=2358

WORLD FUTSAL TEAM OF THE YEAR 2003:
http://www.futsalplanet.com/news/news-01.asp?id=2357

AUSTRALIAN MENS AND YOUTH TEAMS TO GO INTO CAMP
The Australian men’s and youth men’s teams will go into a training camp from the 2nd April to 11th April in Sydney. The first camp for the men was for three days after the national titles where coach Scott Gilligan and Technical Advisor Mauricio Marques whittled the squad down to 16 players and 3 shadows.
This time they will also train with a squad of under 19 players also selected at the national titles. Although there is nothing definite at present it is hoped the youth national team may be able to attend a tournament later this year.

OCEANIA PLAYOFFS
There is still no news on when the Oceania World Cup playoffs for the men will be outside sometime late July to August in Canberra. Oceania Confederation is still yet to confirm an exact date.

AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S TEAM
There is still no news on the National women’s team outside of I believe a squad has been selected (but not yet released) and there hopefully will be a training camp at Easter. Australia Soccer Association is looking at a couple of possible tours/tournaments for the team to attend but more news later. The ASA is also looking at in 2005 extending into selecting an under16 girls squad.

GROUPS FOR ASIAN WORLD CUP PLAYOFFS RELEASED
The Asian Futsal World Cup Playoffs will be in Macau, China April 16th to 25th. Ten nations will be eliminated after the first stage with the remaining eight teams battling it out for glory and three coveted spots at the FIFA World Futsal Championship set to take place close by in Chinese Taipei from 29 November to 19 December.

Draw:
Group A: Iran, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Cambodia, Hong Kong
Group B: Kuwait, Korea Republic, Chinese Taipei, Maldives
Group C: Japan, Lebanon, Kyrgyzstan, Philippines, Macau
Group D: Thailand, Malaysia, China, Guam.

We will place results on the website and newsletter as the tournament finishes.

INTERCONTINENTAL CUP TO BE PLAYED IN SPAIN
World United F.C. of the USA has accepted an invitation to represent CONACAF in futsal's first Intercontinental Cup, which will take place Feb. 18-22 in Barcelona, Spain. World United F.C. the U.S. men's futsal national champion five of the past seven years, will now compete in top level international competition.
The tournament will be organized by the Real Federacion Española de Futbol (www.rfef.es) – Spain's Soccer Federation – and the Liga
Nacional de Futbol Sala (www.lnfs.es) – Spain's Professional Futsal
League – and is endorsed by FIFA (www.fifa.com)
The Intercontinental Cup will take place in conjunction with the Planet Futbol (www.firadelfutbol.com) trade fair and games will be televised to 64 countries via Television Española Internacional (TVE
Internacional).
Six teams will participate at the I Intercontinental Futsal Cup:
Playas del Castellon/Spain (UEFA Cup 2003 Champion), Action 21
Charleroi/Belgium (UEFA Cup 2003 Runner-Up), ACBF Carlos
Barbosa/Brazil (South American Champion 2003), World United F.C.
(U.S. National Champion 2003), PSTC Londrina/Japan (Asia) and Ajax de
Tanger/Morocco (Africa).
Unfortunately somehow, Oceania did not get an invitation to send their best club team, but hopefully for the 2005 edition they will.

BRAZIL CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE MOVES TO MINAS TENIS
In good news for those attending Brazil Centre of Excellence in May or November this year, Minas Tenis Futsal Clube have asked if we would like to hold the programme at their facilities.
Minas Tenis is the only National League Futsal team in Belo Horizonte, and is a sports and social club with a membership of over 80,000 people. By holding the programme at their facilities it means access to their coaches, their 6,000 seat indoor stadium, restaurants, hotels and country clubs. They have sub branches in the countryside
Of Minas where the teams can go and play against local teams.
This now means the bi annual Centre of Excellence programme is affiliated to the major clubs of Belo Horizonte, Cruzeiro Soccer team (current Brazil champions) and Minas Tenis Futsal Clube.

OVERSEAS FUTSAL TOURS COMING UP
England 15th April to 3rd May 2004
Brazil 7th May to 19th May 2004
Brazil (Dal Ponte Tour) 25th June to 16th July 2004
England 4th October to 23rd October 2004
Brazil 19th November to 8th December 2004
New Zealand 26th November to 8th December 2004

NATIONAL NEWS

DAL PONTE VIKINGS RACEDAY
To celebrate the Dal Ponte Vikings girl’s victory at the national titles the club is taking the whole team to the Gold Coast races with a race named in their honour. The girls and coaches and managers will be guests in the Dome room function room with the DAL PONTE VIKINGS HANDICAP one of the races on the day, and some of the girls will be selected to present the winning horse with its trophy.
The race day is Saturday 28th February, and hopefully I may have some tips before then.

THE OTHER TEAM AT THE NATIONALS
There is a team that regularly attends the national titles, but never wins…the referees. Queensland referee Leo Tottenham writes of the Queensland referees experiences at this year’s national titles:
“ Queensland Futsal had another team representing it at the national titles in Canberra. The referee’s team was larger than in the last couple of years with 7 participating (4 of which this was their first nationals) and again enjoyed a successful tournament with all achieving recognition by gaining appointments to various finals. The heat and the very long days (and the occasional disputed decision) didn't deter them and they continued to improve with each game as they became used to refereeing with two referees and at a higher standard of play. The referees are listed below along with their finals appointments and the centres they ref at.
Robyn Smith from Townsville was also nominated for an intensive training day with the view to testing a small group of referees leading to a career path, which will hopefully take them to FIFA nominations. We wish her well in that endeavour. Robyn was also awarded the trophy for the "Most Improved Referee" at the titles.
It was also good to catch up with long time Qld Futsal referee Chris Colley who went to Canberra 12 months ago to become a policeman and who came along to several games (hopefully Chris will soon be back refereeing Futsal in Canberra).
Andrew Jacquin from the Vikings youth men’s team was presented with a trophy for his outstanding efforts at last year’s nationals when he was a referee rather than a player. Iona celebrated her 18 th birthday during the nationals with a cake with her fellow referees.
The Queensland Referees were:

Juan Blanco (Camira) 12 Girls S/F & 11 Boys S/F
Ross Butler (Logan) U15 Boys S/F & Youth Men’s Final
Josh Costa (Mt Gravatt) U14 Boys S/F & U14 Boys Final
Robyn Smith (Townsville) U 14 Boys S/F & Open Women’s S/F and Final
Leo Tottenham (Logan) U 15 Boys S/F &Youth Women’s Final
Michael Wheeler (Logan) U10 Boys S/F & U11 Boys Final
Iona Voice (Sunshine Coast) U11 Boys S/F & 3rd Ref on Open Women’s final

Congratulations to the refs on their achievement. They were all excellent ambassadors for Qld Futsal.

UPDATE OF THE REFORM OF SOCCER IN AUSTRALIA
A lot has been said and rumoured in regards to the reform of soccer (and thus Futsal) in Australia. To give an update of what I know, the new constitution of Soccer Queensland will be put up to be approved by the members at the AGM on Sunday 22nd February.
Australian Soccer Association is at the same time, in consultation with FIFA, reviewing where Futsal will fit in the model. There has been talk of us unifying with or having reciprocal registration with other smaller bodies, and while this may be possible in other states, there has been no thought of it occurring in Queensland.

STATE NEWS

SUPPORT THE DAL PONTE VIKINGS
If you are like me, you probably drink wine and order a fair bit over the web. With the Dal Ponte Academy expanding to 7 junior regional academys we are looking to carry out some fundraising to support these programmes. Go to Http://www.dalponte.org.au/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=41 if you want to see how you can purchase good quality wine and support the Vikings.

LOGAN CITY CUP
The Logan City Cup proved to be a great weekend, with No Names (fielding only one Viking player, Ray Mortenson) from Mt Gravatt winning the Open Men’s over Camira Clash, and Sedatives (led by Viking and Australian rep Jodie Hammond) from Carina winning the open women over Ipswich. In total 38 teams competed in the weekend. For the results of all age groups go to www.qldfutsal.com.au and click on the news article LOGAN CITY CUP.
Camira Clash have at last been beaten in a tournament, so it will be interesting to see how they perform at the Regional Titles, where they will make up the basis of Moreton men’s team.

QUALIFYING TO PLAY AT THE REGIONAL TITLES
A number of people have approached their regional development officers or the office about entering their own club teams in the regional titles.
Club Titles such as Brisbane Cup, Country Titles, North or Far North Queensland Titles, etc are for club teams to enter.
The Regional Titles is a tournament for selected teams representing their Futsal region. To qualify to represent that region you must reside in it.
A club team being the best in their region is not reason for them being ‘appointed’ to represent that region, as there may be other players in that region who are good enough to be selected. This is similar to Manchester United playing as England in the World Cup.
If you do have this idea in mind, please don’t bother to ask, as refusal may offend. All regions are fully aware of the need to hold selection trials and are doing so.

HOW ARE THE REGIONALS GOING?
We are regularly ringing around the regions to see what numbers we are getting and at this stage the estimation is 205 teams, up from 143 last year. We have had to compact the competition back into three days, due to a number of people have work problems on the Tuesday, and this may mean competition going till 10.00 pm for some age groups on Saturday and Sunday nights. We will start putting up on the website from the 1st March a list of age groups and numbers, but be aware these could change slightly week to week. The Over 40 men and Over 30 men are looking good comps with 8 teams in each listed at present.

WHERE TO THE DAL PONTE PROGRAMME
The first year of the Dal Ponte Vikings programme has been such a success we are now going to expand it to junior regional academys as well. We will have Under 16 Boys and Under 16 girls programmes based in Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Fraser Coast, Brisbane and Toowoomba. In Brisbane we are also adding an under 18 men’s and under 18 women’s programme as well giving in total 18 squads working in the programme.
Selections for the junior programmes will begin at the regional titles, with training scheduled to begin in earnest the week of July 19th. Regional Academy coaches are still being interviewed but we hope to have all in place and named by 1st March.
We have also had enquiry from clubs in other states in regards to joining the programme so stay tuned for developments there.

WINTER COMPETITIONS STARTING SOON
All clubs are starting their winter competitions over the next month. We have had a big upsurge in interest for junior teams to continue throughout the winter as well as the normal men’s, women’s and mixed. If your junior team wants to keep playing through the winter see your centre manager or email Jodie Hammond on j.hammond@qldfutsal.com.au or ring 38752600.

GOODBYE TO PABLO
Thanks to Pablo from Centre of Excellence in Brazil for spending 3 months coaching at Sunshine Coast Club over Christmas. Sunshine Coast sponsored Pablo out here and is keen to bring him back for 6 months to help develop the Sunshine Coast region.

COACHES FEEDBACK FROM NATIONALS
We are still looking for feedback from coaches who attended the national club titles in January. If you have time could you please put a report into Gui or email him at g.costa@qldfutsal.com.au Remember, if we don’t get feedback and suggestions we can’t improve what we do.

RESULTS FROM SOUTH WEST TITLES
The South West titles were held in Toowoomba on the weekend of the 31st January and saw 33 teams entered. For all results go to website www.qldfutsal.com.au and click on the news item SOUTH WEST TITLES.

SCHOOL TITLES ARE ABOUT TO START
It’s the start of the Queensland Futsal School Titles again and this year we are definitely hoping to pass the 1000 team barrier for the whole competition. We have regional titles in Brisbane, Gatton, Hervey Bay, Rockhampton, Gatton ,Townsville, Cairns and Roma with the Brisbane competition expecting around 650 to 700 entries. If you school hasn’t entered before, or your not sure is, go to website www.qldfutsal.com.au, download an entry form and take to your school soccer/futsal coach. If he/she can’t take you on the day, ask if a parent can. You attend one full round of round robin games and then come back for finals day if qualifying. A list of all tournaments and dates is also on the site.

NEW MENS COMPETITIONS AT ENOGGERRA AND FOREST LAKE
We are looking for more men’s teams at Enoggerra and Forest Lake clubs. If you are looking for a game as an individual or you have a full team email Jodie Hammond on j.hammond@qldfutsal.com.au or ring 38752600

UNDER 8’S TOURNAMENT AT ACACIA RIDGE AND ENOGGERRA
Do you want to enter your under 8 team on an end of season tournament? We are having a southside one at Acacia Ridge Sunday 29th February, and northside at Enoggerra Sunday 14th March. It will be all day with cost $80 a team or $140 for both. Enquiries to Margaret Burley at m.burley@qldfutsal.com.au or phone 38752600.

CENTRE ADMINISTRATORS REQUIRED
We will be starting clubs in July at Mossman and Mackay in North Queensland. We are looking for centre administrators to run these clubs. These are paid positions and if you are interested or know of someone interested, email qldfutsal@qldfutsal.com.au or contact Richard Littler on 38752600.

WHATS COMING UP-DATES TO REMEMBER
1st/26th March South Qld School Titles Cornubia/Beenleigh
1st/3rd March NQ School Titles Townsville
22nd/24th March Primary School Titles Cornubia/Beenleigh
22nd/24th March Central School Titles Rockhampton
24th/29th March Dal Ponte Tour North Queensland
29th/31st March Gladstone School Titles Gladstone
31st March Special School Titles Acacia Ridge
10th/14th April Regional club Titles South Brisbane/Gold Coast
10th/13th May FNQ School Titles Cairns
24th/26th May South West School Titles Gatton
2nd/4th June Fraser Coast School Titles Hervey Bay

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT
I know these are absolutely nothing to do with Futsal but I thought they were worthwhile putting in.

THE YEAR'S BEST [ACTUAL] HEADLINES OF 2003
Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says
Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
Iraqi Head Seeks Arms
Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over
Teacher Strikes Idle Kids
Miners Refuse to Work after Death
Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant
War Dims Hope for Peace
If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile
Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures
Enfield (London) Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide
Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges
Cyclone Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead
Man Struck By Lightning Faces Battery Charge
New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft
Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
Chef Throws His Heart into Helping Feed Needy
Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half
Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors

AND A COUPLE OF FOOTBALL ONES TO FINISH OFF…THIS TIME ON INJURIES IN THE GAME.

"Dumbarton player Steve McCahill has limped off with a badly cut forehead." - Radio Scotland reporter, Tom Ferrie.

"That’s great. Tell him he’s Pele and get him back on." - John Lambie, ex-Partick Thistle manager, when told a concussed striker did not know who he was.

THAT’S ALL FOLKS…..SEE YOU NEXT WEEK