Courtesy: The Mercury


Tassie juniors set to show futsal power

by ADAM SMITH

March 21, 2008

TASMANIA will send a contingent of junior futsal teams to the Junior Vikings Australasian Regional Futsal Titles for the first time.

The titles are on during the Easter weekend in Queensland.

Six sides ranging from under-10 boys through to under-14, as well as under 12 and 13 girls teams will take part in the tournament.

The tournament also features teams from regions all over Australia and New Zealand.

Following the success at the national school titles in September last year and with the strength of the squads travelling away, Futsal Tasmania is expecting a very strong showing at the event, eyeing off a couple of grand final play-offs.

The boom of the sport in the state has continued over summer and Tasmania is producing juniors who can mix it with some of the best around the country.

Corey Smith from Futsal Tasmania said this trip was one of two for the junior sides in 2008, with players selected from local competitions where schools compete in an inter-school tournament in April each year within their region (Burnie, Hobart, and Launceston).

"Training has been going well. The teams are looking very promising so we would love to come away with perhaps a win or a grand final showing," Smith said.

"Finally Tasmania is bridging the gap that so long has been there in outdoor soccer between us and other states.

"With 10 Tasmanian Junior players making Australian representative sides in 2008

we are showing the Futsal world that Tasmania is good enough to mix it with the best talent in the country."

Round one of the men's Vikings National League will also be underway over the Easter weekend with the Tasmanian Islanders competing and hoping for a strong showing.

The format of the men's national league now has three rounds per year run at the same venue as the junior national tournaments, allowing the top players to be available to coach junior teams within their state.

After last year's third placing the Islanders line-up looks as strong as ever and includes Brazilian import Igor Sao Jose, a professional player in his homeland.




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