Category: Nationals

2015 FFA Futsal Nationals

* Note – Regular Updates regarding the 2015 FFA Futsal Nationals will be posted HERE.


 

Boomerangs FS is pleased to be able to advise that the club has been approached to participate in the FFA Futsal National Championships being held in Sydney (in January), as an ‘invitational club’.

Participation is subject to Capital Football approval; however discussions with them so far have been very positive. The club has indicated to Football NSW and to Capital Football that it has the capacity to send teams in all age groups offered at the Championships.

In line with this commitment, we are seeking expressions of interest from players to participate at the Futsal Nationals (January 5-9, 2015). Age groups being played at the Nationals are as follows:

– Boys U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, Youth (U19) and U23 Men

– Girl’s U12,U14, U16, Youth Women (U19) and U23 Women

The competition will be spread across four different venues, being Valentine Sports Park (23s and AWD), Dural Sport & Leisure Centre (U16 and Youth), Hawkesbury Indoor Stadium (U12-U15) and Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre (Finals)

The time frame to make arrangements (such as planning training sessions, ordering strips etc) and assemble teams is very short. As such, we are seeking expressions of interest by no later than 12pm, Thursday November 27. (Please send confirmation emails to jenney@boomerangsfs.com and cc to info@boomerangsfs.com.au).

The cost to participate in the Futsal Nationals as a Boomerangs player will be approximately $550 per player – this is pending final confirmation of entry fees and other costs. The participation fee will include the following:

– Training sessions

– Home and away playing strip

– Polo shirt, walkout shorts, backpack

– Qualified coaches

– Team entry fees

– Travelling physiotherapist

Please note that these costs do NOT include transport, food and accommodation for the championships period to provide maximum flexibility for families. We are currently looking at options for inexpensive accommodation, however families will be free to choose the travel and accommodation option that best suits their circumstances.

Once expressions of interest have been collated an email will be sent to all players informing them of potential trials/training times and venue for their age group.

A reminder that expressions of interest are required  by 12pm Thursday 27 November.

Futsal ready to make its mark in Australia

The following is an OPINION piece posted on the FFA website….

Futsal made its mark at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. On the opening day, Oscar scored for Brazil against Croatia with a “toe-poke”, a skill taken directly from Futsal.

Some purists of outdoor football may think this technique is a little crude, but it’s not viewed that way in Futsal. It’s a highly valued skill that unleashes a powerful shot in tight confines with little backlift.

I’m using Oscar’s Futsal-inspired goal as a point of reference for the place of Futsal in Australia. It’s played everywhere across the nation, but maybe we don’t appreciate its potential, just like the often-derided toe-poke.

Under the management changes made by CEO David Gallop, FFA has a renewed commitment to the national development of Futsal.

It’s important to make the distinction about “national development”, because there’s no denying that Futsal has flourished in the suburbs and schools across Australia. There are many Futsal people who deserve our thanks for the healthy state of Futsal participation.

But without a national strategy, the important role Futsal can play in the development of the game won’t be fully realised. That was the topic of a recent National Futsal Forum held in Sydney under the auspices of FFA.

Our ambition is to plant the seeds that will lead to Australia growing into a world force in Futsal.

FFA long ago identified Futsal as a growth area and a fantastic way to development football skills from a young age for boys and girls.

The latest edition of the National Football Curriculum holds that Futsal and other small sided games as ideal ways to fast track the development of technical as well as the decision-making skills for all footballers.

To get there, we need a specific Futsal coach education pathway from the Community to the elite levels. It goes without saying that with better Futsal coaches we will be able to produce better Futsal players.

The recent successes of our Men’s National Futsal team, the Futsalroos, at AFC tournaments and the FIFA Futsal World Cup shows that we can be very competitive on the world stage.

Our aim is that with further development and co-operation between all stakeholders, Australia could eventually become a world force in Futsal.

As a show of intent, the National Futsal Forum involved representatives from the nine Member Federations, the Australian Sports Commission and key Futsal stakeholders.

The length discussions and planning covered the following points:

• The role that Futsal can play in the development of talented players as demonstrated by leading Football nations, including Brazil

• The role Futsal can play in the growing participation at the grassroots

• The opportunity to continue to invest in the Talented Player Pathway, which includes the Australian Men’s National Futsal team, the Futsalroos, and growing the F-League (8-team interstate competition involving teams from NSW, ACT, VIC & QLD). This includes a greater focus on developing the female pathway, and the introduction of a Women’s National Futsal team over time

• Marketing and promotion of Futsal at all levels.

The key outcome of National Futsal Forum is that FFA will now organise a National Working Group, which will include representatives from each stakeholder group.

FFA has also announced that Football NSW will host of the annual FFA National Futsal Championships for the next three years. The 2015 edition of the FFA National Futsal Championships will be take place from 5-9 January and will be played across four venues (Valentine Sports Park (Open and AWD), Dural Sport and Leisure Centre (16 Years and Youth), Hawkesbury Indoor Stadium (12-15 Years) and Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre (Finals)).

Football NSW have demonstrated their commitment Futsal through the management of the F-League, which is starting to attract the most talented players from across Australia.

We have an ambitious view of what Futsal can be in Australia. Who knows? Maybe one a Futsal-inspired toe-poke will carry the Socceroos or Matildas to a World Cup victory, just like Oscar in the match against Croatia.

• The FFA National Futsal Championships had previously been hosted by Capital Football for the past 26 years. FFA would like thank Capital Football for their commitment and leadership towards the growth and development of Futsal in Australia during their hosting of the tournament.

Tuesday, 29 July 2014 – Emma Highwood, FFA Head of Community Football

FFA Nationals 2014 – Results and Reports

The following reports are from Capital Football

OPEN MEN

NSW Thunder 1 (Jordan Mundell 16’) ACT 3 (Michael Reeve 22’, Daniel Bennett 24’, Trent Flanigan 40’)

The ACT retained their Open Men’s crown with a come from behind 3-1 win over NSW Thunder in a full blooded encounter in front of a large crowd at the AIS Arena. But they didn’t have it all their own way as the Thunder more than played their part in an excellent contest. Jarrod Basger was instrumental in the opening goal of the game as the Futsalroo international won the ball mid-court with a press and got away a shot under pressure that Angelo Konstantinou could only save with his heel. The ball ricocheted kindly for Jordan Mundell who arrived at the back post to slide into the empty net. ACT chances were few in the opening half with Stephen Domenici going closest, prodding a shot at goal that Andrew Haim saved superbly low down to his left. The reigning champions were a different outfit after the break and equalised in the 22nd minute as Michael Reeve was alert to a Daniel Bennett kick-in to slide the ball past Andrew Haim. And within two minutes they were in front. Bennett, who had earlier missed a sitter, made up for his error by beautifully finishing a long pass from Konstantinou past the advancing Haim. Needing to chase the match the Thunder used the fifth man ploy but was caught in the final seconds as a loose ball inside the ACT area was sent the length of the court into the empty goal by Captain Trent Flanigan to seal back-to-back titles.

GF MVP: Daniel BENNETT (ACT)

Player of Tournament: Robbie CATTANACH (ACT), Ross OSMAN (South Australia), Maxim AVRAM (Victoria)

OPEN WOMEN

NSW Lightning 1 (Dominique Caridad 2’) NSW Thunder 3 (Doris Osman 32’, Dmelza Howard 43’, Rachel Perrins 49’) – after extra-time

Goals in extra-time from Dmelza Howard and Rachel Perrins gave NSW Thunder a 3-1 extra-time win over NSW Lightning in the Open Women’s Grand Final. Lightning was out of the traps in a flash and stunned Thunder with an early strike. The Thunder was the architects of their own downfall, gifting possession to Dominique Caridad mid-way inside their own half. With no-one between her and the goal Caridad raced away and picked her spot, bludgeoning a right foot shot past Tani Rosekelly who stood no chance. Lightning, who has only conceded one goal all week prior to this game, slipped into defensive mode and threw their bodies in the way of everything that the Thunder could throw at them. When Thunder did break through the Lightning rear-guard Sarah Easthope was in no mood to be beaten and Lightning led by 1-0 at the interval. The pattern was set for the second half but the Thunder eventually found a way through. A deflection took the ball into the path of Doris Osman who made no mistake sweeping the ball past Dana Buttigieg and into the near post. Despite half-chances at both ends neither team could net a winner and the match headed into extra-time where Thunder emerged victorious.

GF MVP: Doris OSMAN (NSW Thunder)

Player of Tournament: Ashleigh PALOMBI (ACT), Shannon ADAMS (South Australia)

YOUTH MEN

NSW Thunder 4 (Jonathan Barzel 21’, Robert Ezekiel 27’, Pat Crane 29’, Daniel Fornito 40’) ACT 0

NSW Thunder was crowned Youth Men’s champions with a 4-0 win over the ACT at the AIS Arena but the final score-line certainly didn’t tell the full story of an exciting match. Whilst there can be no doubting that Thunder deserved the win, the ACT fought to the end but couldn’t find a way past a Thunder side who defended well. After a goal-less stalemate in the first twenty, it took the Thunder just seven seconds to take the lead, Jonathan Barzel pouncing on a loose pass to pick his spot past Zac Sorenson. The ACT looked for a way back but was caught by a superb second Thunder goal as Robert Ezekiel smashed home the second. And Thunder virtually sealed the result with a third moments later as Pat Crane picked off a pass and burst clear to score with a combination of pace, power and precision. As the ACT played fifth man for the majority of the final eight minutes a fourth seemed inevitable and Thunder put the icing on the cake with Daniel Fornito sealing the result with a brilliant fourth in the final seconds, chipping into the empty goal from distance.

GF MVP: Brian GRIFFIN-COLLS (NSW Thunder)

Player of Tournament: Brandon GAGE (Queensland Regional)

YOUTH WOMEN

NSW Lightning 3 (Rhianna Pollicina 20’, 30’, 33’) ACT 1 (Najwa Allen 3’)

A hat-trick from Rhianna Pollicina was the highlight of a wonderful all-round team performance from NSW Lightning who defeated CT 3-1 to win the Youth Women’s championship title. Najwa Allen drew first blood for the ACT after only three minutes, winning possession after a wayward Lightning pass and advancing on goal before hammering a right foot shot past Tahlor Thackray and into the corner. And the ACT was good for the advantage in the first half playing some excellent Futsal and denying Lightning any time on the ball. Lightning though could call upon player of the tournament Pollicina and she pulled her team level right on the half-time buzzer with a superb equaliser. With Tara Pender in stunning form after the break the Lightning dominated possession and territory and took the lead when Pollicina’s shot was too hot for Tahlia Davidson, who was otherwise faultless,. And Pollicina, the Golden Boot winner had a hat-trick three minutes later when Pender wriggled past a couple of markers and fed Pollicina who finished off the ACT.

GF MVP: Rhianna POLLICINA (NSW Lightning)

Player of Tournament: Rhianna POLLICINA (NSW Lightning)

AWD

NSW Thunder 1 (Rocco Musumeci 7’) ACT 2 (Adrian Araya 28’, Mark Olivieri 36’)

A stunning goal from Mark Olivieri crowned the ACT as AWD champions with a 2-1 win previously unbeaten NSW Thunder after a magnificent Grand Final at the AIS Arena. Olivieri struck with four minutes to play, picking up the ball mid-court and with a spin and twist of which Lionel Messi himself would have been proud, bursting away from his man, rounding another and finishing with a sensational clip over the advancing goalkeeper. ACT started well and went close on a number of occasions before Thunder broke to take the lead in the seventh minute, Rocco Musumeci found room in the ACT final third to swivel and send a powerful shot past Cameron Gudgeon. The ACT almost levelled straight away but Mark Olivieri was denied by a terrific low save from Thunder goalkeeper Nathan Whalen. They home team equalised in the second half when Adrian Araya picked his spot to bang home before Olivieri’s moment of magic. The ACT was also indebted to a top-draw display from their international goalkeeper Gudgeon who made a string of world-class saves to deny Thunder.

GF MVP: Rocco MUSUMECI (NSW Thunder)

Player of Tournament: Craig MUHLBOCK (NSW Lightning), Supreet SINGH (Tasmania)

BOYS’ UNDER-16

NSW Thunder 2 (Harry Griffin-Colls 1’, 43’) ACT 2 (Anthony Giorgi 28’, Adrian Macor 48’) – after extra-time, ACT wins 3-1 on penalties

The ACT upset the form book by defeating NSW Thunder 3-1 on penalties after the match had ended 2-2 after extra-time. George Kazolis was the hero, saving twice in the shoot-out, as the ACT triumphed. In what was anticipated to be a close match the Thunder came out of the blocks strongly and found themselves one to the good after only a minute’s play. Harry Griffin-Colls took advantage of some sleepiness in the ACT defence to find the target and beat Kazolis with a smart finish. That aside there was little to choose between the teams as Thunder struck the woodwork whilst the ACT saw a couple of promising openings come to naught. Kazolis was the busier of the ‘keepers again in the second half, saving point-blank from Michael Loupis. That was a crucial stop at the time as the ACT drew level within minutes as Brady Nixon supplied Anthony Giorgi with the easiest of finishes after drawing the goalkeeper which ultimately sent the match into extra-time where Griffin-Colls restored Thunder’s lead. That was wiped out by Adrian Macor with moments remaining to send the game to penalties.

GF MVP: George KAZOLIS (ACT)

Player of Tournament: Danyon LOUD (South Australia)

GIRLS’ UNDER-16

NSW Thunder 6 (Georgia Plessas 5’, 28’, Carla Trimboli 17’, 32’, Hannah Bacon 31’, Demi Koulizakis 37’) ACT 1 (Lorna Arkell 26’)

NSW Thunder finally had a championship to cheer at the eighth time of asking at the 2014 FFA National Futsal Championships after defeating ACT 6-1 in the Girls’ under-16 Grand Final. A stunning strike from Player of the Tournament Georgia Plessas kick-started the match in fine fashion as Thunder took the lead in the fifth minute. Picking the ball up half-way inside the ACT half, Plessas struck from range, the ball clipping the inside of the post on its way into the net. In a half that the Thunder dominated, they increased their lead three minutes before the half-time whistle when Carla Trimboli finished off a move that had the ACT chasing shadows with a competent finish. The ACT hit back early in the second half when Lorna Arkell scrambled the ball in from close range before Thunder restored their two-goal lead as Hannah Bacon found Plessas who hammered into the roof of the net. Further goals from Bacon, Plessas and Demi Koulizakis as the ACT visibly tired, completed the win for an excellent Thunder team.

GF MVP: Lorena BUGDEN (NSW Thunder)

Player of Tournament: Georgia PLESSAS (NSW Thunder)

BOYS’ UNDER-15

NSW Thunder 7 (Harrison Bagot 27’, 47’, Jacob Basden 29’, 35’, Jordan Pyne 32’, 44’, Anthony Haddad 37’) Queensland Metro 7 (Jacob Basden (og) 25’, Dallas Dack 26’, Jordan Dozzi 29’, 29’, 46’, Jordan Vieira 33’, Liam O’Bryan 44’) – after extra-time, Queensland Metro wins 5-4 on penalties

The two stand-out teams in the under-15 division met in an explosive Grand Final with Queensland Metro emerging victorious 5-4 on penalties after an epic struggle finished 7-7 after extra-time. Queensland’s Jordan Dozzi went closest to opening the scoring in an even first half rattling the post with a stunning long-range effort that left Thunder reeling. Thunder also struck woodwork themselves in an end-to-end battle that was score-less at half-time. That was but a prelude to an astonishing second spell that featured a bucket-load of goals, some incredible near misses, and everything that makes Futsal such a spectacular spectator sport. An own goal from Thunder’s Jacob Basden opened the scoring in the 25th minute before Dallas Dack made it 2-0 a minute later. A sequence of three goals in a minute left Queensland 4-2 ahead before Thunder started their comeback. Player of the Mach Jordan Dozzi netted a hat-trick for the victorious Queensland but it was goalkeeper Matthew Willshire who emerged the hero blasting the winning penalty high into the roof of the net at the second time of asking to cap a simply wonderful match.

GF MVP: Jordan DOZZI (Queensland Metro)

Player of Tournament: Jacob BASDEN (NSW Thunder)

GIRLS’ UNDER-14

NSW Thunder 1 (Georgia Koutzoumis 18’) South Australia 4 (Chelsie Dawber 5’, 16’, 28’, Grace Abbey 9’)

NSW Thunder’s miserable day continued in the Girl’s under-14 competition as South Australia stunned the ladder winners with an exhilarating 4-1 victory. Earlier in the week Thunder had emerged from a tight group match with a narrow 1-0 win so the favourites knew that they would be in for a tough clash but could hardly have expected the way that South Australia stormed out of the blocks to take a 2-0 lead inside the opening ten minutes. Chelsie Dawber opened the scoring in the fifth minute and Grace Abbey increased that to 2-0 four minutes later. Dawber, who would go on to claim a Grand Final hat-trick, had South Australia in dreamland on 16 minutes as she converted her second and her team’s third but Thunder weren’t about to roll over. A goal from Georgia Koutzoumis reduced the arrears before the break and gave the NSW team hope of a comeback. That glimmer was doused eight minutes after the resumption when Dawber bagged her treble with another calm and composed finish to seal the result.

GF MVP: Matilda CROMLEY (South Australia)

Player of Tournament: Emma GIBBON (Queensland Metro)

BOYS’ UNDER-14

NSW Thunder 2 (Dilan Kahale 18’, Marley Peterson 26’) Queensland Metro 3 (Joshua Nisbet 3’, Duncan Stewart 28’, Jordan Tucker 30’)

Queensland Metro continued the theme of upsets as they turned the tables on first placed NSW Thunder to win an absorbing Boy’s under-14 Final 3-2 in front of a large contingent of Queensland supporters. Metro took the lead in the match in the third minute as Joshua Nisbet found room to manoeuvre and fire home a cracking goal. It was a lead they were to hold until close to half-time when Thunder finally found a way past Player of the Match Angus Long in the Queensland Metro goal with Dilan Kahale equalising. At 1-1 the game could have gone either way and when Marley Peterson put Thunder in front in the 26th minute it appeared as if normal service had been resumed. Someone though forget to tell Queensland and their fighting spirit surfaced and within two minutes they were back on terms as Duncan Stewart levelled. Far from being happy just to be back in the match Queensland poured forward and Jordan Tucker gave them the initiative once again on the half-hour, and with Long in superlative form, they never looked back from there.

GF MVP: Angus Long (Queensland Metro)

Player of Tournament: Adem OR (Victoria)

BOYS’ UNDER-13

NSW Thunder 3 (Carlos De Oliviera 10’, Zachary Duncan 14’, Adrian Viggiani 34’) NSW Lightning 6 (Luke Okuda 6’, Tallon Zahra 9’, Patrick Scibilio 22’, 25’, 26’, 33’)

A four-minute hat-trick from Patrick Scibilio led underdogs NSW Lightning to a remarkable 6-3 victory over clear tournament favourites NSW Thunder in the Boy’s under-13 Grand Final at the AIS Arena. Scibilio, who ended the match with four goals, struck his treble at a crucial time as Lightning recovered from the disappointment of letting a two-goal lead slip to triumph. Early goals from Luke Okuda and Tallon Zahra gave Lightning a nice cushion but Thunder hit back with a brace of quick goals of their own as Carlos De Oliviera and Player of the Match Zachary Duncan bagged goals in quick succession. At 2-2 at half-time it was anyone’s game but Lightning turned it on its head with Scibilio’s hat-trick in the space of minutes. With Thunder pushing for a way back Scibilio hit his fourth goal only for Adrian Viggiani to pull one back straight away. Thunder pressed for an unlikely comeback but Lightning held on for a terrific win.

GF MVP: Carlos DE OLIVIERA (NSW Thunder)

Player of Tournament: Nick GOLLINSKI (Queensland Metro)

GIRLS’ UNDER-12

NSW Lightning 5 (Isabella Volkanovski 7’, 9’, Cortney Nevin 10’, Anastasia Grozdanov 30’, Lara Bosnich (og) 34’) NSW Thunder 2 (Georgia Usherwood 20’, Emily Dorahy 39’)

NSW Lightning completed a perfect week in the Girls under-12 tournament by winning the Grand Final in convincing fashion against a valiant NSW Thunder team. Lightning has certainly been this age group’s stand-out team and they showed it in the final showdown with a 5-2 victory over their peers in an exciting match. Lightning laid down their marker early on with Player of the Match Isabella Volkanovski netting twice in the space of two minutes. Courtney Nevin drilled in the third a minute later and Lightning was well on course. Georgia Usherwood pulled one back for Thunder just before half-time to give them a glimmer of hope but Lightning started the second half in a strong manner and increased their lead with a goal from Anastasia Grozdanov and an unfortunate own goal from Thunder’s Lara Bosnich. Emily Dorahy netted a consolation towards the end but Lightning was worthy champions.

GF MVP: Isabella VOLKANOVSKI (NSW Lightning)

Player of Tournament: Angelique HRISTODOULOU (NSW Thunder), Courtney NEVIN (NSW Lightning), Rebecca SNELL (Queensland Metro)

BOYS’ UNDER-12

NSW Thunder 2 (Angelo Kalamovokis 6’, Yousef Sawalha 8’) Queensland Metro 4 (Leum Walpole 15’, Ethan Wildermuth 19’, Jack Bolton 22’, Joshua Dearn 28’)

Queensland Metro caused the first surprise of the day as they claimed the Boy’s under-12 title with a 4-2 win over the favourites, NSW Thunder. And, whilst the final score may have been an upset considering their final positions on the ladder, the manner of Queensland’s victory certainly was not as they fully deserved to come away with the win. It wasn’t all plain sailing for Queensland who had to come from 2-0 down after the Thunder had got off to a brilliant start scoring twice in the first eight minutes. Angelo Kalamovokis and Yousef Sawalha netted early on to put Thunder in control but Queensland began their come back in the fifteenth minute as Leum Walpole reduced the deficit. Crucially they were level before the break as Ethan Wildermuth equalised close to the half-time whistle. Player of the match Jack Bolton gave Queensland the lead two minutes after the resumption and when Joshua Dearn made it four six minutes later, there was no way back for Thunder.

GF MVP: Jack BOLTON (Queensland Metro)

Player of Tournament: Stefan WILLNER (South Australia)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boomerangs Palombi set to strike

The following article appeared in the Queanbeyan Age, and again on the Futsall4All website…

Monaro Panthers striker Ashleigh Palombi will be out to help continue the ACT’s dominance in women’s Futsal when she takes to the court at next week’s National Championships in Canberra.

While the ACT claimed the senior women’s national title in 2013, Palombi was captain of the ACT’s Youth Women’s outfit that went down to NSW in last year’s championship final.

And the 20-year-old is hoping her step up to the senior side will enable her to exact a measure of revenge against the Territory’s fiercest rivals.

“Especially after the way it played out last year, I’d definitely enjoy knocking NSW off,” Palombi said.

“When it gets to finals at Nationals, most of the time it’s going to be ACT v NSW. We seem to fare pretty well against the other states.

“I know a few of the NSW girls from other [representative] sides. You can be friends off the court but once you get on the court ACT v NSW is as good as it gets.”

Palombi will be joined in the ACT side by Panthers teammate Natalie De Marco while Monaro’s Stephanie Coates will represent the ACT Youth squad.

Palombi was a stand out for Monaro in last year’s Women’s Premier League season, and has twice represented the Australian Schoolgirls in the outdoor version of the sport.

But the talented striker has also starred on the Futsal court. Last year saw her named in the Australian All Star side based on her performances in leading the ACT to the Youth grand final.

And Palombi, who is studying physiotherapy at the University of Canberra, said Futsal better allowed her to balance other areas of her life alongside her representative commitments.

“If I wanted to finish my degree I had to choose between Futsal or outdoor at the state level and Futsal is a lot more flexible when it comes to training and things like that,” she said.

“They’re two very different games and I enjoy both but Futsal is probably a bit more fun when you’re out on court.”

And it’s not just Ashleigh flying the Palombi flag in the round ball code with younger sister Brittany currently touring England with the Australian Under-19s Schoolgirls side.

The ACT’s first game of the National Futsal Championships against Victoria will be held at the AIS Training Hall on Monday. Kick off at 5pm.

Article from The Queanbeyan Age at http://www.queanbeyanage.com.au/story/2013315/palombi-set-to-strike/?cs=1277#slide=1

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ACT Men aiming to defend the Crown

From the pages of the Capital Football website this week…….

Last year was a big one for ACT Futsal. Not only did the Open Women’s team storm to victory in the Grand Final with a 2-0 win over Victoria but the Open Men also claimed the title, coming out on top after one of the all-time great finals against Victoria, ultimately triumphing in a nerve-shredding penalty shoot-out after a sensational match had ended 3-3 after extra-time.

Leading the Women to Glory was Head Coach Kristian Collins. Collins has traded in his position this season to move across and take over the Men’s role from departing Coach Simon Aitchison and the Boomerangs FS boss is in a confident mood ahead of the competition kick-off in the second week of January.

Whilst this may be Collins’ first time as a Head Coach of a men’s team at the National Championship, he’s no stranger to the open men’s concept being an integral part of the Boomerangs FS club that competes in the F-League. And that has given him a taster of what to expect during this week’s competition. “I have for many years watched the Open Men’s competition at Nationals and the standard continues to grow both here and interstate,” Collins said. “For me there isn’t much separating the big three, and by that I mean NSW, Victoria and ourselves, so it will be a fantastic opportunity to test my ability as a coach against the best players and coaches going around.”

Expectation around the ACT after their success last year means that the pressure is on the team to at least make the Grand Final and repeat their heroics of 2013. Fortunately for the locals, and those with an interest in their progress, Collins’ appears to be approaching the tournament with the kind of calm and measured assurance that should stand the team in good stead.

“I don’t feel any pressure more pressure than I usually would heading into a championship,” Collins confirmed. “You always go in wanting to win. The squad we have assembled is a fantastic one with everyone working hard to develop the style I am trying to implement. I have spoken to the players about ‘adding tools to their toolbox’ so we are able to adapt to different styles and players and they all understand what is required of them. We have some brilliant players including nine players that have at some time trained with or been a part of touring Futsalroo squads. The quality is there and we will we be one of the teams to beat in January.”

Speaking of the squad it would appear that while a fair few of the team that was crowned champions last season will be back in action again, there is the possibility of one or two ‘bolters’ forcing their way into contention as Collins himself alluded to. “There will be a few changes to the team,” he said. “Obviously there is always youth coming through and some of the players we are seeing are brilliant, they deserve their chance to mix it with the best.

“Many of the players are playing in the NSW Premier League competition where they have, for the most part, been leading the competition showing that the young talent is easily ready for the task. I don’t want to single out any players, as I said we have a squad full of talent and opposing teams would do well to watch out for all them. We have a great mix of creators, goal scorers, dribblers and workers.”

The opportunity for the Boomerangs players to participate in the NSW Futsal Premier League has certainly been a boon to Collins as he looked to finalise his squad with the exposure to an extremely high level of competition making sure that potential players are constantly switched on and turning in fine performances in a competitive environment. “The NSW Premier League has certainly given me a good idea of how some of the younger players can handle that level of competition whilst some of the older heads lift when it comes time for the challenge that the Nationals provide,” the Boomerangs FS Coach commented. “Training has provided me with a good insight as to which players are working hard and want a position in the final team. It’s great to see that players are coming to training and busting themselves week in and week out.”

After all is said and done though Collins is aware that his actions will be judged where it matters most, on the Futsal courts of Canberra during the National Championships. For him to succeed he’ll need to plot the downfall of the rest of the competing states and that, as he’ll readily admit, will be a tricky proposition.

“The obvious challengers are NSW and Victoria,” Collins confirmed. “They have been the mainstays at the FFA Futsal Nationals the last three or four years. But you just never know with the likes of South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland all starting to develop their players at a rapid rate. If Queensland can select all the great players that they have living there they would have a fantastic team, whether they all make the commitment to come remains to be seen. You can just never count anyone out really!”

http://www.capitalfootball.com.au/node/742#.Us8ZFfQW2Cl

 

Congratulations to ACT Representatives!

Boomerangs FS would like to congratulate all players that have been selected to represent the ACT in the upcoming Futsal Nationals.

The ACT teams include a whopping 60 plus Boomerangs players in addition to a dozen of the Boomerang’s family performing coaching or assistant coaching roles. This is once again an outstanding effort and recognition of the quality of both the playing and coaching group within the club.

The ACT squads include the following Boomerangs players:

12 Boys
Head Coach: Mark O’Neill
Andrew Noack
David Rodriguez
Malcolm Murta 
Zac Barbatano
Zedan Mutlu
 
12 Girls 
Alexia Forner
Anna Mihalyka
Cecilija Matic
Elke Aitolu
Stella De Marco
 
13 Boys
Deakin Jewell 
James Fletcher
Miguel Da Silva
 
13 Girls 
Assistant Coach: Natalie De Marco
Alicia Meuronen
Ella Hemmings
Madeleine Perceval
Sienna Farrar
Sonia Pasquariello
 
14 Boys 
Assistant Coach : Gianmarco Senatore
Anton Hoshovsky
Asante Addai
Harry Williams
Joseph Brown
Nicholas Haridemos
Jamie-Lee Guo
 
14 Girls
Assistant Coach: Erin Clout
Hayley McLachlan
Ineka Voigt
 
15 Boys
Assistant Coach: Gianmarco Senatore
Abraham Kemp
Christopher Kazolis
 
15 Girls 
Head Coach: Ashleigh Palombi 
Lorena Barbaro
Sophie Rolfe
 
16 Boys 
Anthony Giorgi
Ben Basser-Silk
Brady Nixon
George Kazolis 
Nicholas Dahl
Thomas Milicevic
 
16 Girls
Head Coach: Melanie Luksa 
Madelyn Whittall
Ruth Kravis
Siena Senatore
 
Youth Men 
Head Coach: Grant Davoren Assistant: Daniel Fulton
Jake Wilsener
Jonathan Ciminelli
Nick Rathjen
Nichlas Van Aalst
Sean O’Neill
Thomas Zietlhofer
Zac Sorenson 
Gianmarco Senatore
 
Youth Women 
Head Coach: Michelle Aurosseau 
Natalie De Marco
Rebecca Collins
Tahlia Davidson 
 
Open Men 
Head Coach: Kristian Collins
Angelo Konstantinou
Keiran Stroh
Daniel Bennett
Callum Smith
Daniel Fulton
Michael Reeve
Glenn Smith
Ryan Keir
 
Open Women 
Head Coach: Vanh Manthongsy
Ashleigh Palombi
Becky Roche
Gill Raymond 
Haley Buckingham
Michaela Day
Michelle Auroussaeu
 

Team lists sourced from http://www.capitalfootball.com.au/program-information