Courtesy: The Timaru Herald


SC futsal players to join NZ teams

Friday, 22 February 2008

by JESS PARKER

Four talented South Canterbury futsal players have been selected for New Zealand age-group teams.

The indoor soccer game, created in Uruguay, involves teams of five, and has been described as basketball with your feet.

Fourteen-year-old Tymon Bernard (Mountainview High School) and 16-year-old Juan Leal (Geraldine High School) have been named in the under 16 New Zealand futsal squad to tour the United States.

Troy Tapara (Timaru Boys High School) and Thomas Clarkson (Aoraki Polytechnic) have both made the under-17 squad to tour Australia.

The quartet were selected from regional tournaments after getting hooked on the fast and furious game.

The boys will however each have to fundraise the total cost of their trip and are keen to hear from anyone interested in helping them out.

Futsal is starting to get a foothold attracting more and more players with Vikings Futsal NZ having over 500 registered players throughout the country.

Vikings Futsal regional co-ordinator Sam Morton said futsal was relatively unknown in Timaru, but in the next few months they aim for it to be recognised as an elite sport that can take you places.

Morton said it was his job to select representative teams for South Canterbury to go away and compete in tournaments, such as the mens nationals in Christchurch this weekend.

"It is also our job to promote the game throughout the schools and run weekly leagues to cater for all ages and ability."

Morton said he and Clarkson were going to promote futsal through their company Athletic Artistry which they set up last year through the secondary schools Young Enterprise Scheme.

Clarkson said futsal was a fun game and a great technique builder.

"It also offers some really good opportunities for players."

Bernard liked the fast pace of the game.

"It very skillful and helps improve players' first touch and ball control."

Futsal is played between two teams of five players, one of whom is the goalkeeper.

In addition each team may have seven substitutes and the court is defined by lines, and not walls or boards that players can use to rebound the ball.

Futsal is played with a smaller ball with less bounce than a football.

South Canterbury: Peter Rae (captain), Thomas Clarkson (vice captain), Troy Tapara, Tymon Bernard, Juan Leal, Arash Zamani, Graeson Cooper, Ricardo, Sam Morteon, Hamish Parker, Dave Stafford.





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