Courtesy: The Northern Star


The sharp-shooters of Futsal

16th Dec 2012

FOUR sharp-shooting Lismore youth players are celebrating after picking up a championship with their 'awesome' futsal skills.

Shelby Parker, Laani Winkler-Harding, Amy Jones and Zoe Woodbry were in the Great Northern Futsal side which won the youth female division at the senior regional titles.

The squad, which featured three other North Coast players, won all nine of its games, racking up more than 100 goals.

Team manager Kathalina Parker said she was still on a high from the team's performance at the event in Brisbane last weekend, which featured some of the country's best players.

"I was blown away by the level of skill they showed," she said.

"You could see their patience on the ball to set the goals up. They didn't kick and hope.

"It was amazing to see their play."

Players from across the country attended the Australian Futsal event, which featured matches in the different age groups.

Shelby, 19, and 16-year-olds Laani, Amy and Zoe were all selected after impressing in regional games.

The squad also included Maclean representative Taylah Power-Casson, 18, and Port Macquarie duo Imogene Tomasone, 18, and Britt Hargreaves, 19.

Despite a hectic schedule of nine games in two days, the side quickly got into its stride and blew away the competition.

In winning all nine games, Great Northern scored a whopping 106 goals and conceded just 21.

"There were only a couple of teams that were below our standard," Parker said.

"There were a couple of teams who were really tough and got better and better as the event went on.

"We only beat one team 8-5 and another 5-4."

Parker said she had been stunned by the quality of her side's play.

"You would not believe they had not played together as a team before" she said.

"Everyone was talking about them. It was beautiful to watch.

"They played some awesome futsal - very high quality."

Great Northern Futsal's open men's side also did well, reaching the quarter-finals.

The team's efforts helped ensure that Great Northern finished above a large contingent of Queensland teams to finish third overall.

Some of the girls may now be in contention for a place in the Northern NSW side for the national titles next month.






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