Courtesy: The Maitland Mercury


Take on the best

21/11/2008

Zac Waters is only in his first year of futsal but the 15-year-old is already set to play the fast-paced European sport at the highest level in Australia.

The All Saints College, St Peter’s campus, Maitland student has been selected to represent Northern NSW in the under-15s at the Australian Championships, to be held in Canberra from January 6-10.

Waters was one of nine players picked for the squad from try-outs held at Gateshead Indoor Sportsworld on October 26.

The East Maitland teenager said whilst futsal was a well-known sport with its own national competitions in South America and Europe, it was very much still a developing sport in Australia.

“It’s getting bigger in Australia with more indoor sporting centres having futsal courts,” Waters said.

“I’ve just finished watching the futsal World Cup on television and it’s good to see that the sport is getting more and more coverage.”

Waters said his futsal career had started as innocently as one of his friends asking if he wanted a game.

“Friends of mine asked me if I wanted to have a casual kick,” Waters said.

“I’ve played outdoor soccer since I was five and I thought I’d give it a go.

“Then I heard that there were northern trials on.”

Waters’ father Paul said the sport was perfect for honing technical skills that could be used on the outdoor fields.

“There are no walls to rely on like in indoor soccer and if you don’t have enough skill you’re going to get found out,” he said.

Waters, whose Weston under-16s team went through the 2008 season undefeated and won the premiership, hopes the competition provides him with plenty of experience.

“There will be a lot of quality teams down there and it’s bound to be a great tournament,” Waters said.

Waters said his team, which has been training twice a week in preparation for next year’s championships, made it to the quarter finals in January this year before being ousted by South Australia.

“We play South Australia again this year so we’ll be looking for some revenge,” Waters said.

“There are two pools with 10 teams in each and the teams to beat are generally the Central Coast academy teams.”

Waters said an Australian side would be chosen at the completion of the championships, but the East Maitland star was playing down his chances of making the national team in his first year.

“The idea of representing Australia is just unbelievable but it’s something I’m not thinking too much about,” Waters said.

“I just want to go down and have a good tournament and have fun.”






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