Feb Update


To all Members of NNSW Futsal members   10/2/2020

Nationals 2019/2020 have come and gone with some great results. It was noted that on a whole NNSW teams fielding 2019 Academy Players resulted better than those teams without Academy players. We have had quite a few players selected in AFA Australian Touring sides and AFA Australian Tournament sides for 2020 – Congratulations to all those selected and well done to all players who took part in the Nationals.

We would like to take the opportunity to clarify the opportunities of the tours.

Touring teams are players, which a selector has chosen because the selector thinks they will benefit from an exciting tour. Some trips are based on the Tour of a country and connecting with local clubs and coaches to develop players. Other trips are Tournament based where players go to a specific Tournament and get the opportunity to see some of that surrounding area.  Being selected for either of these opportunities does not mean you have to accept, but if you do you will have an amazing time and learn more about Futsal in some amazing locations. In some case’s this year, several countries have both Tours and Tournaments so multiple teams may have been selected which is the reason why in some teams all players have been invited but to different events.

These Tours and Tournaments are pathways for players to take advantage of when possible. They can benefit a player as a learning tool, to help develop those aiming for future representative opportunities in the U17’s, Youth, Men and Women World Cups. In fact, once again I am happy to announce we have a number of NNSW players from both the Central Coast and Newcastle identified for upcoming World Cup Tournaments. Some of our men will head to New Zealand in October to represent AFA Australia in a three test Tournament. We are hopeful some of these players will be able to relate the experience, as they are involved with Junior Coaching and the NEW Titans Australian Gol Brazil Academy campaign in 2020. (Central Coast Strikers Academy TBA.)

It is encouraged that any player who takes up the offer of a Tour/Tournament side keep futsal active until the trip. NNSW encourages this for all their current players, and those future players wanting to play in the State competition.  One method to keep futsal fit is to get involved with our Titans Australian Gol Brasil Academies. These Academies are a great way to keep a player’s futsal brain and skills active during the Winter season which has proven to give players a head start on others for the upcoming season. In the future there will also be opportunities for our Academy Teams to attend International Tournaments as part of their development pathway.

Our NEWCASTLE TITANS AND CENTRAL COAST STRIKERS GOL BRASIL ACADEMY will again be under the guidance of current Nationals and Newcastle Titans Player’s and all under the supervision of AFA Australian Senior Men’s World Cup and NNSW Futsal Head Coach George Poulos. Academies will consist of 10 sessions, organised for boys and girls turning 8 to 15 in 2020. We would also like to recognise the development of U16’s Boys to Youth Men as an important stage for player development and we are looking at similar packages to benefit those players. At this stage we are still to work out the start of the Central Coast Academies, but as far as the girls u/12 up to Women’s are concerned, they will be combined with the other regions in Newcastle.     For more information and to register for the Academy please go to the following link; https://www.cognitoforms.com/NNSWFutsal2/_2020TitansAustralianGolBrasilFutsalAcademy
                                                                                   

Development for our Senior Men and Women will take place under the identity again of Newcastle Titans and the newly established Central Coast Strikers. There will be opportunities for players under these programs to compete Nationally and Internationally. Our Titans men and women will start at same time as juniors with the Central Coast Strikers T.B.A.

It should be noted that playing in a Regional State team, or being in the Academy, does not guarantee you a spot in the State teams for Nationals, however, you do get a major advantage on honing your skills with the Academy Coaches. New processes will be implemented for State and Nationals selections. Those wishing to be involved in Coaching will have the opportunity to join the academy training and learn first-hand from the more experienced coaches.

Other exciting events coming up will be Futsal Clinics during the April School Holidays, especially for the under 6 to 12. Our Schools Competition kicks off again in May. Does your School have a team to enter?  And keep your eyes peeled for any winter social comps at our venues including Open mixed (Under 14 and up). All the information  and news on our events can be found on our Facebook page Northern NSW Futsal and at our new (will be updated over the next few months) website www.nnswfutsal.com.au. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page so as to keep up with all the exciting changes happening in our Association.
 
Finally, GOOD LUCK to all teams playing finals in our local club competitions.
For all the rest of our players at club level hope you had an enjoyable time and look forward to seeing you again at a coaching clinic or next season starting August 2020.

Kind Regards,
George Poulos
NNSW CEO and NNSW Futsal Technical Director.
AFA National Men’s Team Coach.                                                       .