Courtesy: This is Bath


Students' Euro test

FUTSAL The University of Bath will travel to Finland in July to take on the continent's finest futsal talents, writes Tom Clarke.

Bath is the first British university to be invited back to the European University Futsal Competition, having previously attended the 2009 event in Montenegro.

This is a particularly proud achievement for volunteer coach Sion Kitson, who set up the team while a student in 2007.

University of Bath finished third in the finals of the BUCS competition, losing to eventual winners Sheffield in the semi-finals.

But when second-placed Northumbria forfeited their ticket into the European event, Kitson's team jumped at the chance to fill the void.

"2009 was a rough ride," Kitson said of their 13th-place finish from a field of 16.

"We were playing against opponents of international quality but we have grown and learnt as a club and now have some star players of our own.

"Our aim is to achieve 12th, which is halfway up the table."

Bath will be relying on inspirational performances from England player Ian Parks and England Development captain Dave Jennings.

However, there is some work to do before they even arrive in Finland as the 12-man squad will need to raise £1,000 for the trip.

"TeamBath have been fantastic since I approached them as a student to set up a brand new team," said Kitson.

"But the team have been asked to raise the money ourselves."

Anybody wishing to support the team should email Sion Kitson at ed3spk@bath.ac.uk.




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