YOUNGSTERS LIGHT-UP FA FINALS

Parkside Raiders were crowned Champions at the FA National Futsal Finals.

The Goole-based team won a U11s mini Futsal tournament at the English
Institute of Sport in Sheffield on Saturday (June 19).

Parkside beat Sheffield Hallam 2-1 in the final and were presented with the wining trophy by England Futsal manager Graeme Dell.

The competition, which also involved a team from Barnsley's Sandhill School and Grimsby's representatives Discoveries Sasl, took place during the three-day national event.

Dermot Collins, the FA Development Manager for Small-sided football, said: "The quality of the football these young lads showed was fantastic and each game was a delight to watch. The mini-tournament was one of the highlights of the whole weekend.

"The young players were showing skills which we would not have seen from that age group 10 years ago. Futsal allows the kids to develop fantastic technical ability and the nature of the game encourages individuals to show-off those skills."

Parkside manager Mike Stannard was delighted with his side. He said: "The lads were brilliant. They all played very well and fully deserved to win. We had a really great day in Sheffield and it was a huge honour to be able to play during the FA competition."

The Futsal tournament involved teams from across the country, with London-based Team USSR beating Tranmere Victoria in the final.

Sports Minister Richard Caborn presented the winning trophy to Team USSR, who will now represent England in the 2005 UEFA Futsal Cup.