NSW Lightning 11s @ FFA Futsal Nationals 09 FABULOUS WEEK
9-Jan-09

by J Simnett

The Under 11s Football NSW Futsal team done themselves and each of their Futsal Clubs proud at the recently completed 2009 FFA National Futsal Championships.

The NSW lighting team won 5 games and narrowly lost 2 extreamly close games. The team spirit,sportmanship & togetherness was a huge talking point throughout the tournament, which was lead by Head Coach Jim Apostolovski.

NSW 11s Lightning Team made it throught to the semi final and faced NSW Thunder. Pre match hype was electric with both teams so focused on the job ahead and the prize at stake (playing in the final). The cheering and chanting from both teams was as if it was the grand final of the Futsal World Cup. Absolute amazing atmosphere.

Head coach Jim Apostolovski had a game plan/s and throughout the tournament ensure team briefings was focused on results and key objectives set out for each player and as a team, also team debriefings focused on positives and areas of improvement. The mental toughness that was entrenched in the boys was amazing, considering they were 11 year olds.

The game was neck and neck to the last 23seconds of the game when Capitan Michael T. from Lightning was brought down from a clash but the referee awarded the free kick to Thunder, with only 23 seconds to go Huyga lined up and the stands were erupting. He lined up and slotted the ball pin point into the net. Whistle blows and Lightning go down in a epic match. Final score 4-3.

Well done to each player from the Thunder and Lightning Team. Lightning team included Michael, James, Daniel, Justin, Daniel, Cameron, Dom, Dimitri, Petros, Liam.

Well done to each of the players coming from leading Futsal Premier and Super League Clubs that included Sutherland, Benfica, Quake and Magic.

Representing FNSW Futsal and Sutherland Shire Futsal Association with pride was Head Coach Jim Apostolovski (Sutherland), also assisting in team logistics, strategies & management were Lee Pepper (Sutherland) Michael Belle (Sutherland) Jan Brechenridge (Magic).

At the teams last debriefing head coach Jim, acknowledge and thank all participating teams whome showed great sportsmanship, that include ACT, VIC, QLD, Sth NSW, Nth NSW. Also the fantastic referees and the hosts at Capital Football for a sound and well run national tournament. He also thanked the parents for the EXCELLENT week and great laughs & fun they had. Many parents also echoed that this Coach Jim Apostolovski brought and entrenched a new level of focus, mental toughness, and fantastic new set pieces and drills which they will take back to there local clubs. They also stated that Sutherland Shire are exreamly lucky to have Jim in there association includes Football NSW.

As president of SSFA, I totally agree. Well done to all. FUTSAL IS THE WINNER.

Source: SSFA