16/12/08: Northern Tigers Futsal Flag Flying High

16/12/08: NORTHERN TIGERS FUTSAL FLAG FLYING HIGH

Over the weekend of October 25th & 26th, 211 teams took part in the Football NSW 2008 Futsal State Championships held across two venues in Sydney's west.

Teams from across the State congregated to take part and made this championship one of the best ever. There were a great number of fantastic games played during the weekend. The talent on show was good for the progression of the sport and it augurs very well for the NSW state teams that will participate at the Nationals in Canberra in January. This tournament is the pathway for players for further representative selection.

Northern Tigers Futsal was very well represented at the Championships. Teams were submitted in the following age groups: 12, 14 & 16 Boys, 12, 14 & 16 Girls, Youth Men and All Age Men and Women.

Results were excellent - with many teams making the playoffs and quarter finals, and 14 boys and girls both making the semi finals.

14 Boys, ably coached by Marty Bright and Elliot Jurd, were world beaters throughout the weekend tournament, knocking out the highly fancied Premier League side - Sydney City Eagles 3-2 in the quarter final. They then went on to play Mascot Vipers in the semi final, but sadly lost to a well drilled, high scoring team 5-1.

Our team of boys is very strong and are doing well in the Super League competition, sitting up the top of the table. They certainly have the ability and metal desire to win the Super League Premiership for this season.

The 14 Girls team, coached by Breakers Cathy Sweeney, consisted of 5 Tigers players and 4 Breakers girls. The girls combined very well, winning their way past Super and Premier League teams for an exciting place in the semi finals. Here they met their match against a slick, fast and experienced Inner West Allstars, going down 5-1.

From this tournament, players were invited to trial for NSW representative teams. Successful candidates were: 12 Boys: Ryo Moroi, 13 Boys: Michael Muirhead & Daniel Collins, 14 Boys: Taka Iwata, 15 Boys; Michael Figueria, Youth Men: Marc Messina; 11 Girls: Emily Brown & Tessa Clout, 12 Girls: Mel Huang, 14 Girls: Nic Drakopoulos & Aleisha Wawn - all representing NSW Thunder & Lightning teams, and Youth Women - Maree Van Der Wielen & Bec Woodroof - representing NSW South.

What an excellent result for Northern Tigers Futsal, showing the strength the club now has in a very competitive environment.

We are currently sitting in 5th place (of 14) on the Club Championship table, with the season just past half way. Many teams have the ability to make the top 5 for playoffs. All teams are training well, under their experienced coaches.

Northern Tigers Futsal has been fortunate to be able to hire the fantastic facility of the Gartlan Indoor Sports Centre at Riverview College, Lane Cove for weekly training sessions.

Our home games are played at The Brickpit, Thornleigh and spectators are most welcome to come along and cheer on the Tigers.

Brickpit dates: 29/11, 6/12, 24/1.

Northern Tigers Futsal is looking for sponsors - enquiries: 0416 250654

29/09/08: STUART PAGE WINS FNSW SUPER LEAGUE SILVER MEDAL

Northern Tigers Super League goalkeeper Stuart Page has capped off a very successful year for the Northern Tigers by winning the Silver Medal for best player in the Football NSW Super League competition.

Stuart, who joined the Northern Tigers this season from A.P.I.A. Leichhardt Tigers, polled 22 votes to win by 1 vote from fellow Northern Tigers player Daniel Nash and Greg Collins from Mt Druitt Town Rangers.

The opposition managers vote the award on a 3-2-1 basis after each game. Stuart is the second Northern Tigers player in 3 years to win this prestigious award after Paul Davies in 2006.