Player Interview F-League 2013

BFS: Phoebe, you are one of the youngest players in the squad. How are you finding the step up to training with the women?

I found it fairly nerve-racking at first but all the girls have been so supportive and welcoming which has made the step up a lot easier for me.

BFS: You have been with the club since its first season. It’s fantastic to see younger players starting to progress into the women’s team do you think we will see more of this in coming years?

Definitely, I think that as a result of the development opportunities Boomerangs provide there will be a lot of younger girls able to step up and make their mark in the women’s team.

BFS: The F-League is an exciting opportunity for female futsal players, how do you see this league developing your game? And women’s futsal in general?

The F-League will be the strongest women’s competition in Australia, and playing against highly challenging teams will bring many improvements and positives to my game. F-League is an awesome opportunity to expand and develop women’s futsal, there is a lot of interest Australia-wide and hopefully this league will kick start the women’s futsal revolution.

BFS: What are you most looking forward to with regards to the F-League?

I’m looking forward to everything! Training and gym with the girls, the high level of competition, and hopefully just getting out there and playing a high quality game.

BFS: Do you know much about the other teams participating? And which team are you most worried about going into the 2013 F-League?

I don’t know much about the teams from QLD and Vic but from playing in the NSW Premier League and Nationals, I know how tough the NSW teams will be. I am most worried about Sydney Scorpions as they are formed from 4 significant Premier League clubs.

BFS: How is the team progressing so far?

We are improving greatly both as individual players and as a team, thanks to good attendance to our training sessions. With gym and fitness training coming up we will definitely progress further and will be a squad to reckon with.

BFS: Which player should opposing teams look out for in the 2013 Women’s F-League?

I personally don’t think there is one certain player that should be looked out for. I can’t single one person out because each girl has their own strengths and when combined, the team as a whole is one to be looked out for.

BFS: Thanks for your time and good luck for the 2013 F-League.

Thanks!

Player Interview F-League 2013

BFS: Kim, you have been involved in Futsal in the ACT for long time but this is your first season with Boomerangs. How have you found the experience so far?

So far the experience of training with the Boomerangs has been excellent. The club’s dynamic is supportive and professional, and the commitment demonstrated by existing players is inspirational to those coming into the fold. It has certainly lived up to expectation.

BFS: How important is it for futsal to be taken seriously by players and coaches alike both in ACT, and Australia wide?

Very important. ACT Futsal has always been strong in regards to the National Championships, however it’s local competitions pale in comparison to those operating in NSW and Queensland. The lack of official futsal clubs and general infrastructure has led to the sport being largely perceived as a social endeavour, or a summer alternative to soccer. As a result, futsal has struggled to live up to the professionalism of its outdoor counterpart, even at the higher levels.
The recent push towards club infrastructure and involvement of accredited coaches in the ACT Futsal Premier League has certainly been a step in the right direction; Boomerangs FS is an excellent example to its credit.

BFS: The F-League is an exciting opportunity for female futsal players, how do you see this league developing your game? And women’s futsal in general?

The inaugural season of the women’s F-League is the perfect stage to promote futsal to the public, as well as raise the stature of women’s futsal in general. The quality of younger players coming up through the ranks these days is excellent, and I’m sure many have been waiting for a professional platform like this to showcase their talent and passion for the sport.

As a somewhat more experienced player, I feel the opportunities offered by the F-League have come at the perfect time. While my own skills and knowledge of the game are certainly developed, I feel I have just as much to gain and learn as the newer players.

BFS: What are you most looking forward to with regards to the F-League?

The thing that I am most looking forward to in the F-League is the competition. It will be interesting to see how teams change or adapt their style for the second or third rounds, in comparison to their performance in the first. Furthermore, after playing in Futsal National Championships it has often felt like months of build-up concluding in a somewhat brief tournament; I feel the F-League will certainly be a fairer measure of each team’s ability, and will provide greater opportunity for consistent teams to show their worth.

BFS: Do you know much about the other teams participating? And which team are you most worried about going into the 2013 F-League?

I have heard a bit about the other teams in the competition; however this is mainly of the big names being signed. The Sydney Scorpions look to have a solid team, however with the amount of quality players being mentioned across the board I doubt there will be any one powerhouse team to worry about. I look forward to it being a closely contested competition.

BFS: How is the team progressing so far?

The new look Boomerangs team is progressing very well. With a combination of new and old players, as well as a mixture of youth and experience, it is promising to produce an exciting dynamic. The standard being exhibited at training sessions is high, and with healthy competition for game-day spots it is likely to be a very competitive outfit come kick-off.

BFS: Which player should opposing teams look out for in the 2013 Women’s F-League?

There are a few players in the Boomerangs team to look out for, but I think opposing teams will take notice of two particular players: Ashleigh and Brittany Palombi. These sisters have great heads for futsal, refined skills, and pace to burn – plus they exhibit those elusive combinations of play that only come from years and years of practice. I have played against both these girls for many years, so I know firsthand what it is like to be at the opposite end of the court.

BFS: Thanks for your time and good luck for the 2013 F-League.

Player Interview F-League 2013

BFS: Hayley, you have been around for a number of years and played for various clubs and states, how does Boomerangs compare? Are you enjoying your time with the club?

I have now played with Boomerangs for one season and I admire the dedication throughout the club from the players, coaches and even the parents. The passion in this club is remarkable and something you like to see when playing for a club.

BFS: Your experience at this level will be invaluable to the younger Boomerangs, have you been trying impart some of your smarts to the younger players coming through?

I very much like to try and improve the games of the younger players as I play with them, more so on the court by giving direction and advice. I hope that I can help them develop into the best player they can be.

BFS: Speaking of younger players how do you see the current crop of youth players? How will they cope with this level of competition?

This level of competition will be like no other and will be a very big challenge for these players. I think its great that they have been giving this opportunity to see what playing at a high level and intensity of the women’s game can be.

BFS: The F-League is an exciting opportunity for female futsal players, how do you see this league developing your game? And women’s futsal in general?

I think that this is a great step in achieving a national women’s league for futsal in Australia. I hope that this can bring more attention to this great game and put forward the notion for Futsal becoming an Olympic Sport. I havent played at a consistent high level of futsal for a few years, I’m eager to see what the game has to offer at this level and to see how much has changed and if it can improve my game. I think I just need fitness!!!

BFS: What are you most looking forward to with regards to the F-League?

Im looking forward to travelling and seeing what teams from other states have to offer. I also love having a weekend full of futsal!

BFS: Do you know much about the other teams participating? And which team are you most worried about going into the 2013 F-League?

As I am originally a NSW player I have been able to play with and against many of the players that will be participating in the F League, most of the NSW teams will be very strong and very competitive when it comes to the ACT team (considering we won Nationals in January!!). I think all the teams will be a very big challenge which I’m looking forward to.

BFS: How is the team progressing so far?

Our team this year will be quite young and have a lot to learn about futsal but I think we have enough talent across the board to put our mark on the F league.

BFS: Which player should opposing teams look out for in the 2013 Women’s F-League?

I don’t like identifying a certain player to look out for, I think the Women s futsal game has improved so much in the last few years that any player can be a threat!!

BFS: Thanks for your time and good luck for the 2013 F-League