Courtesy: Bendigo Advertiser


28 June 2007

Titans keen to fire on courts

THE Bendigo Titans Futsal Club will look to continue its fine form when it competes in this weekend's third round of the National Futsal League in Newborough.

Teams from Newborough, Ballarat and the Gold Coast will look to defeat the highly regarded Titans outfit on the indoor soccer court.

Led by Rhys Clayton, the Titans are in fifth place after two rounds. But a good weekend could see the Bendigo boys jump into the top four. Also performing well in the team are Xavier Clayton, Sam Robertson, Jack Gwynn and Jack Clayton.

Brent Kendall will join the team for this weekend's round of matches.

Earlier in the year, Bendigo won the Ballarat Cup, defeating Ballarat City Stallions in the final 4-3.

Last year, the Titans were semi-finalists in the Sunbury Cup and runners-up to Newborough Power in the Bendigo Cup. When not playing for the Titans, Xavier, Rhys and Jack Gwynn all play division one for Strathdale at the outdoor game.

Jack Clayton also plays for Strathdale's youth team, which is coached by Rhys.

The skill of Xavier, Rhys, Sam and Jack Gwynn has earned a place in the training squad for the national under-19 Futsal team.

But in a blow to Bendigo's title hopes, Xavier Clayton will leave in July to start a sports scholarship in the United States.

Xavier will study psychology for four years at Illinois Institute of Technology. Rhys Clayton said that it will be harder without Xavier in their team, with the competition being as tough as it already is.

'‘We have this rivalry with Ballarat, and another big rivalry with Newborough.

‘‘It's intense out there on court, but we have drinks with each other afterwards." But it hasn't all been easy for the Titans this year.

Injuries meant the team struggled in the previous round of the national league.

Each tournament they compete in incurs an entry fee, as well as travel costs.

Trips to Ballarat, Gippsland and Melton have hit the pocket hard.

A way to raise funds will be through the newly-formed Bendigo Indoor Soccer league. The senior season starts on Friday, July 6, at the Flora Hill Stadium in Keck Street. Junior teams will take to the Flora Hill courts on Friday, July 20.

Age groups are primary school, secondary school Years 7-10, and seniors.

The Bendigo Titans are looking for a sponsor for their Futsal team to help with travel costs and entry fees.

If anyone is interested in sponsoring the Bendigo Titans, or would like to field a team in the new Indoor Soccer league, contact Lin Janes on 0408 563 328.



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