OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF QUEENSLAND FUTSAL ASSOCIATION INC.


NEXT WEEK'S NEWSLETTER FROM BRAZIL
Next weeks newsletter will be sent from Brazil, as this is where I'll be for the next three weeks. I'm taking the tour to Brazil and the Disneyland Orlando,Florida competition, and will be writing it from there, keeping all up to date with the tour as well as the usual futsal/soccer news.

INTERNATIONAL TOURS
Over the last week we have held meetings in Townsville and Brisbane with players and parents going overseas this May to either Canada or Brazil. At the meetings we have handed out all gear,answered questions, and run thoruogh item by item the itinery . This Friday the Brazil/USA tour leaves and next Wednesday the Canada tour leaves.We wish all players and officials good luck and hope they come back winners. As mentioned before , I will be writing the newsletter from Brazil over the next three weeks.

SOCCER AUSTRALIA WEBSITE
For those who may still be questioning who FIFA recognises or not , we are now part of Soccer Australia's Website. Go to the front home page of www.socceraustralia.com.au and in ther left hand corner click on the icon PLAY FUTSAL. Listed there are all the recognised bodies including of course Queensland Futsal.We are officially part of the soccer family.

SOCCER AND FUTSAL INTERNATIONALS
Last weeks newsletter created a lot of interest and comment in regards to good futsal players have who converted to soccer. Does anyone out there know of any players who have represented Australia at full international level in both futsal and soccer ? In mens I know Kasey Wehrmann has represented soccer and the Australian Aboriginal Futsal team, and I think years ago Chris Tansey from Canberra may have represented both. In womens, one of the Pumpa sisters from Canberra I think qualify. Write me back if you can help with any information.

REGIONAL SCHOOLS TOURNAMENTS
In last week's list of the regional schools tournaments coming up, I forgot to mention the Cairns competition for Far North Queensland. This will be held on the 9th and 10th May at the Smithfield YMCA, and will definitely be going ahead. Enquiries to Paul Wadswoth on 47720011.

PAUL WADSWORTH RETURNS
Please note that Paul Wadsworth is back in Townsville.Paul has been in New Zealand for the funeral of his grandmother, and returned on Thursday.
To clarify Paul's position with everyone, we have now closed applications for his position and will start interviews shortly. We plan to appoint a new North Queensland development officer by mid May, with Paul starting his new position in Brisbane by mid June at the latest.

QUEENSLAND SOCCER PRESIDENT SHOWS THE WAY
In a major initiative for all codes of soccer , new Queensland Soccer Federation president, DAVID KAY, has called a meeting this week of the major soccer stakeholders in the state....Queensland Soccer, Juniors,Women, Futsal and the state's only national league soccer team,the BRISBANE STRIKERS. For years soccer has been ripped apart by infighting and this will see an attempt at solidarity to put in its rightful number one spot, the sport we all love. David sees this as the first of a series of regular meetings where all parties can work together,exchange ideas,see how we can help each other and go forward together.More next week.

NATIONAL SCHOOL TITLES
The closing date for returning paperwork and deposits for those going to the national school titles in Albury next October was last Friday. If you have forgotten, I suggest you ring Nicola Zammit in the office on 32199444, Monday to arrange same. All teams are now listed on the website homepage www.qldfutsal.com.au

NATIONAL CLUB TITLES
Full lists of teams are also listed the website for the club nationals in Sydney next January . Please note that all paperwork and deposits has to be in by 14th May.

WOMEN'S FUTSAL
All our major clubs are restarting their womens futsal competitions this week. for further information about playing ring :

TOWNSVILLE - PAUL WADSWORTH - PH 0409618092
TOOWOOMBA - ABBI HEWSON - PH 0418569469
LOGAN - BLANCHE - PH 0402296155
ACACIA RIDGE - MARGARET - PH O414396211

QUIZ QUESTIONS
Congratulations to Rick Waterworth, refereeing supremo of Mt Gravatt and Acacia Ridge clubs, for being the first to write in with the correct answer to last week's questions. Rick tells me he is Scunthorpe United's only Australian fan( UP THE IRONS)....and I believe him.
The correct answers:
The three Scunthorpe players to captain England were..

Kevin Keegan(1968-70,141 games,21 goals)
Ray Clemence(1965-66,50 games ,0 goals)
Ian Botham (1979-1984,14 games,0 goals)

Yes, Ian Botham captained England in CRICKET.

BERWICK RANGERS, are the English club who still play in the Scottish League.

THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1.Most English soccer fans could name the 1966 England World Cup Starting Team...however,who was the substitute/twelth man( in those days the substitute didn't get to play) ?

2. Current Australian Mens Soccer Coach, Frank Farina, is as we all proudly know, a QUEENSLANDER and led the Brisbane Strikers to the premiership in 1997.However, what was the name of the Queensland State League club he was registered with as he started on his playing career ?

3. Which regular member this year of the Brisbane Strikers National League Soccer Team, was first identified after playing two seasons with the Queensland Vikings Futsal National League Team ?

ANSWERS NEXT WEEK

HUMOUR
I don't have a joke this week, but one has to wonder if this is. Roy Keane, the Manchester United captain earns AU$280,000 A WEEK before tax, making him the highest paid soccer player in the United Kingdom. The press reports this week that Patrick Viera from ARSENAL, has asked in his new contract for AU$280,000 A WEEK AFTER TAX ! I can only wonder what they want to or can do with the money.Perhaps the collapse of some of the major television companies in thr last month in Europe might pull players wages and egos back to reality.

THATS ALL FOLKS ....SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.