2010/2011 Futsal Premier League season ready for take off this weekend

The league has a new major sponsor in McDonalds, Newly promoted Enfield Rovers have joined the competition and have already made a splash, and the player silly season has been at its finest with some big names changing jerseys whilst coaches have made way for others.
All in all the 2010/11 McDonalds Futsal Premier League season is back, bigger and better than ever.
Under 12 Boys
Last seasons under 12 competition was extremely lob sided with the recently relegated Hawkesbury Commodores head and shoulders above the remainder of the competition, but this season should see the competition more evenly contested.
Sydney City Eagles will start the competition as clear favourites. Last season the Eagles side which made the semi finals were a young squad, primarily filled with 10 and 11 year olds and with the majority of that team returning including last seasons Goalkeeper of the year Dominic Breckenbridge, Cameron Caligiuri and Ethan Tsiribas the Eagles should once again be the dominant team in the age group.

Last seasons other two semi finalists Sydney Benfica and Inner West Allstars should fight out for the other top two position. Any team with superstar in the making Panos Armenakas should be in the reckoning and Benfica will be exactly that.
The Inner West Allstars led by Hussein Dagher, Jordan Hall and Keanu Baccas should push Benfica all the way.

Under 12 Girls
The under 12 girls competition on paper should be a head to head tussle between the Mascot Vipers and the Sydney City Eagles for the Premiership.

The Vipers under the leadership of Zvi Ben David will have Carla Trimboli leading the way whilst the signing of Georgia Plessas from Benfica will make for a deadly 1-2 combination add to that duo Emma Garlick who is now entering her third season in the age group and that should see the Vipers in one of the top two positions.

The Eagles shouldn?t have any problems securing the other top position.  Danny Digiandomenico and the experienced Dave Saliba have the reigns of a team filled with talent. Led by the talented Princess Ibini Isei, Danielle Francis and the tenacious Kaitlyn Saliba the Eagles will be contenders this season.

The Campbelltown City Quake shouldn?t be discounted though. The youngest Quake side won the double last season and all but four players have remained. Led by goal scoring machine Laura Featherstone and goal keeper Melati Abdullah the youngest Quake Girls repeat last season effort.

The last semi final position is a toss of the coin. Newly promoted Enfield Rovers seem to be the best of the rest and shouldn?t be underestimated. Shannon Thompson, Kathy Stavrakas and Sarah Urquhart remain from last seasons Super league Premiership winning team could see the Rovers take that last semi final position.

The Inner West Allstars also fancy their chances to make the four with Angelique Dimitrakas and Georgia Koutzoumis leading their assault on the competition.
Sydney Benfica and Western Raiders may also surprise a few sides along the way with the squads building to the future.

Under 14 Boys
This age group could be one of the most evenly fought of the entire competition.

Last season?s Champions the Western Raiders have been torn apart in the off season with coach and reigning Coach of the Year Sam Galiyanni moving to the Sydney City Eagles. With a troubled off season the Eagles have had to regroup,  but can still stake claim to be there abouts come seasons end with Goalkeeper of the Year Blake Tuxford returning as have stars Robbie Perre and Blair Brown.

The Inner West Allstars should also be there abouts come the business end of the season.
Coach Matteo Maiorana has Daniel Paino, Vincent Giannini and Adrian Lara to call upon as well as signing Raiders quality duo, brothers Martin and Tony Lo.

Enfield Rovers also have their sights on a semi final position. The signings of NSW Thunder players Franky Puliafico and Pedro Nigro as well as the double signing from the Hawkesbury Commodores in Kris and Alex Vlismas should see the Rovers jostle for a position.

Sydney Benfica have also had an eventful off season with some terrific pickups, none more so than Australian Under 13 outdoor duo Liam Rose from Enfield Rovers and the very talented Bai Antonio from the now defunct Barcelona F.C.

Another club that had struck gold in the off season are the Mascot Vipers who managed to sign the majority of the all conquering Hawkesbury Commodores Under 12s side from last season.
Coach Ben Hussarys? first season in Premier League will be aided by the talents of Ritchie Darko and Hyuga Tanner who will again be called upon as leaders of a side hoping to replicate last seasons trophy laden campaign.

Campbelltown Quake, have gone for loyalty this campaign and have kept five players from last year?s  Under 14s squad and have elevated five players from last seasons 12s side in their quest for honours whilst the Western Raiders will need Manny Duarte to do well  to give them any chance.
Under 14 Girls
Like the under 12 girls competition the Mascot Vipers and Sydney City Eagles should be the leading two clubs.

Rob Hill in his second year in charge of the Vipers will once again have the impressive Zoe Gomez, Emily Usherwood and Erin Hill to call upon whilst having added Lisa Meduri from the Western Raiders.

The Eagles will virtually have the same squad as last years Grandfinalists. Player of the Year Amy Harrison will be there yet again while the supremely talented Melissa Caceras will be the focal point such is her quality. The signing of Yasmin Genc, niece of current Blacktown City FC coach Aytek will complement a team which should go close.

The Inner West Allstars won the competition without dropping a game last year and will have three of those players back again this year. The team led by Lucy Metcalfe and Samantha Scarlato along with youngsters Emily Kos and Rhiannan Pollichina could see the Allstars troubling the top two.

Enfield Rovers are another team that could spoil the apple cart of the top two. Led by the triple threat of Zoe Zaczek, Amy Dahdah and Caitlyn Murphy the Rovers also have Goalkeeper of the Year Sarah Urquhart.

This team no doubt has the ability to trouble the big guns as does Campbelltown City Quake. Quake have goal scoring machine Ruby Mosca back in purple once again as are Dana Buttegieg and Elise Sherry add four players from last season?s Under 12s double winning team and any side writing of the Quake girls will be in for a surprise.

Sydney Benfica will be another side who will be anything but push overs. Led by the talented Alyse Tasevski the Benfica side should also have semi final aspirations.
Under 16 Boys
There is one standout team in this age group and that is the Sydney City Eagles.
This group of Eagles have been together for a number of seasons now. Returning will be the likes of   Sam Perre, Aaron Messina, Josh ibini and the irrepressible current Player of the Year Peter Makrillos, but it was the impressive off season recruitment of Quake duo Nico Collantonio and Daniel Vallonio which should see the trophy head to Bankstown.

Going in the opposite direction will be Bruno Antelmi. Antelmi will need to step up if Quake is to repeat last season Grand Final victory and fill the void left by the new Eagles duo. The return from injury of Shannon Fielding will help and with Jack McGing and Nathan Clissold the Quake boys should still make the semi finals.

The Inner West Allstars should be one of the Eagles biggest threats. Led by the supremely talented Michael Cimino and former Hawkesbury Commodores duo Keifer Dotti and Bradley Robertson the Allstars will be there abouts come finals time.

The Mascot Vipers should be another team pushing for semi finals Futsal. Vipers mainstays Jonathan Kontellis and James Demetriou will be back again in the Viper black, as will new signing Luke Clifford from the Hawkesbury Commodores. The Vipers will also be the home to both Griffin Coles brothers with older sibling Brian also formally of the Commodores joining younger brother Harry.
The Enfield Rovers could surprise a few teams.  The extremely talented and superstar in the making Daniel Ravkin will need to be at his best in the Rovers goal whilst Rustem ?Rusty? Mia will be called upon to dance his way around the opposition and lead his team past the competition stage.
The Dural Warriors will have high hopes to reach the final series, led by the inspirational Wade Giovenali and Roberto Polistina the Warriors are a team that should not be overlooked in the race to the semi finals whilst Daniel Youngquest of the Western Raiders will need to be at his best if they want to fulfil their aspirations of semi final futsal.

Under 16 Girls
The Mascot Vipers Under 16 girls team like there Under 12s and 14s club mates start the season as one of the favourites to take out the competition. Led by the experienced Erkin Osman, Last season?s Grand Final winning team returns and again in their ranks will be the supremely talented current Player of the Year Doris Osman. Whilst the team will rely on Osman to make the big plays she will be surrounded by an even better supporting cast than last season. Madison Strutt and Cayla White return and will be joined by Sheridan Kuiper from Quake and Alisha Wawan from the Northern Tigers.

The Inner West Allstars will be one of the teams challenging the Vipers this season.
The Allstars will once again be under the watchful eyes of Zoran and Sharyn Pavlicevic.
Pavlicevic led the Allstars last season winning the Grand slam- taking the Preseason Cup,  Premiership, Grand Final and State Championships and will have the majority of that team returning.
Charlene Borg, Jess Dominello and Kristy Pavlicevic will once again be donning the Gold and Blue whilst Jessica Martinez, Chloe Logarzo and Breanna Sampson have all come in.

One player that won?t be returning to Homebush is young starlet Sarah Yatim.
Yatim, last season?s Golden Boot winner has made the trek to wear the green and black of Enfield along with another former Allstar Carla Canini. The Rovers have also signed Lorissa Habib from Sydney Benfica.

Sydney City will be another side hoping to make the top four after going so close last season with a very young team. Led by the mercurial Heidi Makrillos the Eagles have picked up another talented former Raider in Vanisha Kumur whilst the ever present Eagle duo of Carla Caligiuri and Laura Morabito should help see the Eagles taste semi final futsal.

Campbelltown Quake shouldn?t be written off. Whilst Quake will field a young side this season with an eye on the future Sharon Walsh and Kate Hawker are back as are the Chapman twins.

The Dural Warriors will be the dark horse of the competition. Sam Fornito will lead his young Warriors into battle and will have Sarah Ragomo leading from the front line. Younger sister of Futsal superstar Elliot, Sarah has the same blinding pace and lightning acceleration and is looking to take the competition by storm just like her brother did in his first season playing in NSW.
Fornito will also have the returning Goalkeeper of the Year Anna Marie Acevedo in his line up.
Write off the Warriors at your peril.

Sydney Benfica also has a new coach as the merry go round in the coaching ranks continue.
Former Warrior Alex Rossi has taken charge and likes the look of his team.
Youth Mens
The Inner West Allstars start the season as favourites. Once again led by Damian Baker, the Allstars will be looking to make it three consecutive competition wins in a row.
Baker once again has superstar and now fully capped Futsalroo Daniel Fogarty in his ranks  also returning is the deadly Shayne Ardle. Add to that the signing of the freakish Aaron Cimitile from Sydney City, Anthony Poniris from Sydney Benfica and Miki Awad its going to take a very good team to beat this Allstar side.

One team that could hurt the Allstars are the Eagles from Bankstown. After a disappointing season last year, the Eagles have Tony Candy returning ?home? after three years away from the Eagles nest and along with Candy the Eagles have recruited very well. Jamal Saliba and Chris Hanly will bring the experience as will new signing from Campbelltown Quake Michael Candy while the signings of Anthony Musumeci and Alan Kovacevic should see the Eagles and Allstar rivalry simmer all the way to the Grand final.

Mascot Vipers is one side that will not give up the fight for the top 2 that easily and nor should they.
This will be the last chance for the Vipers talented group to finally get some reward for their potential. The Di Salvo brothers Pat and Brad along with the very talented Mitchell Stamatellis hold all the cards for the Vipers side. On any given day this Vipers side can beat anyone they are playing including the top two. The Vipers are a big threat.
Benfica is another side like the Vipers sho shouldn?t give up on a top two position.
In Goalkeeper Wayne Estavillio, the Menai based club have in many peoples mind one of the most talented up and coming keepers in Australia. Throw in Jason Camara, Kevin Oliveira, Stefan Giglio and a returning Luis Carniero this Benfica side shouldn?t be written off and nor should Enfield Rovers.
The Rovers made one the classiest off season acquisitions in signing Shevin Adeli. Only 19, Adeli now a full capped Futsalroo will look to lead the Rovers long past the competition rounds and such is the quality of the young man he could do it single handed. But that he won?t need to do, with a supporting cast of energizer bunny Jeremy Joesph, Ibrahim Kerim and Emirali Moustafa the Rovers could really make a splash in their first season in the Premier League.
For Quake, a club always renowned for their Youth teams have a look of rebuilding this season.
Stars David Von Dinklage and Manny Harihuru will be missing for most of the season due to outdoor trialling commitments and with the loss of Michael Candy to Sydney City the side could struggle but the Quake side still fancies themselves to make the top four. Any side under Coach Dom Helene are in with a chance. Three players remain from last season Youth side and will have two joining from the Grand Final winning 16s. Helene will also welcome the return to the club of Ben Cornish and Reuben Ageyi.
Dural after last season?s Grand Final loss on penalties is another side needing to rebuild.
The losses of club stalwarts Rhys Giovenali and Elliot Ragomo from their Youth side will hurt but the returning Ryan Johnstone and Nathan Niski should see the Warriors more than competitive as will
Western Raiders may cause the odd surprise this season led by Rhys Kennedy.
Open Women?s
Many people thought last season was the most open and hard fought womens competition in many years. They were right, but it was nothing compared to what this season will bring. There are at least five clubs with title aspirations and rightfully so.

Enfield Rovers have continued on their merry way of recruiting some of the best players to their club and with Ernie Bivona leading the way the Rovers have a legitimate case to be one of the favourites.
Nichole Laws, Kahlee Doyle and Tani Rosekelly have all remained at the Bankstown Sports Centre but will be donning the green and black of the Rovers rather than the White and black of the Eagles this year. Clare Tyson, Jenna Kingsley and Sarah Yatim have also joined the Rovers in what will be a very formidable team.
Last season?s Champions the Sydney City Eagles aren?t too concerned with the losses after their successful rebuilding plan. Returning for another tilt at the title is ever present coach Roy Cowie and his band of leading ladies Player of the Year Fabiana Perfilio, Brooke Cowie, Amanda Bowering and Renee Tomkins but it is the return of prodigal ?son? Jodie Bain that has all those at the Eagles mighty excited. Tameka Wearing is also returning to the Eagles and the potential signing of a quality Goalkeeper should see the Eagles go very close to retaining last season?s title.
Campbelltown City Quake once again will be there.

After setting the season alight last year the young Quake girls faulted when it mattered most and will be hoping to go one better. The side will once again be spearheaded by Stephanie Haim, Leesa Thompson and Claire Walsh. The more experienced Quake girls could take what they think is rightfully theirs this season.

 The Mascot Vipers a side that only two seasons ago beat all and sundry and will once again be back battling for a crack at the title. Once again Amanda Cergovski and Elyce Goss will be called upon to score the goals while Hayley Buckingham and Georgina Stylianou will need to be contributors.
Doris Osman will always be the joker of the pack and the signing of Filiz Urkanci from the Western Raiders will strengthen an already strong team.

Joe Baldacci has taken over the reins at Inner West and his major off-season delight was the resigning of superstar Natalie Spirovski, any side with Spirovski in it has a chance. Not at her best last season because of major injury, Spirovski will be looking to get back to the form which saw her win consecutive Player of the Year awards. Caridad, Scarlato, Horafios and Lo Giudice all return as do youngsters Dundovic and Petinos both of which played parts last season and with the recruiting of Sam Muscat and Ash Connor the Allstars should at least repeat their semi final appearance last season.

Dural Warriors were no ones easy beats last season and with leading womens goal keeper Rachel Hui returning along with Jackie Frier and Demelza Howard the Warriors were still a star short but they rectified that problem with the signing of Adriana ?A.J? Cirjak. The Young Warrior girls under the leadership of Brian Codrington shouldn?t be discounted this year.

Sydney Benfica like Dural will be hoping to push for a place in the top. Coach Ian Skeogh returns and with new signings Effie Radopolous and Nina Blundell the Benfica side have the ability to scare most teams as do the Western Raiders.

The Raiders will field a young side and the return of Jess Hurst and Stephanie Haaring from Liverpool Fusion will only help.

Open Mens
If there was any doubt that the McDonalds NSW Futsal Premier League was the place to see the best Mens Futsal action in Australia then there will be no doubt come this season. This season promises to show case some of the best futsal action seen on these shores in many years. National Coach Steven Knight must be licking his lips in anticipation seeing how much talent is right on his door step.
This season will be without doubt the closest, most exciting and hard fought competition ever.
Last season?s Champions the Campbelltown City Quake will again start as one of the favourites.
Coach Ralph Capasso will again spearhead the Quakes assault for back to back Championships.
Club stalwarts Tuan Cao, Gavin O Brien, Dean ?Bully? Lockhart, Shayne Soutter and Mark Symmington return to defend their title as does recent newly capped Futsalroo Ian McAndrew. Incredibly the Campbelltown based side have strengthened in the offseason. The signings of former and current Futsalroos Miles Downie and Simon Keith respectively will bring experience to a youthful side whilst also returning this season are former Quake players Sahand Jahani and James Pierce.

The Dural Warriors will be one the biggest threats to Quake. Led by assistant Futsalroo coach Rob Varela, the Warriors will hopefully have star studded line up which is sure to bring the crowd back in droves at the Dural Leisure Centre. International stars could be aplenty representing the Warriors this year.  The Warriors hopefully will have obtained the services of Futsal superstar and Solomons Island international Elliot Ragomo and may have Futsalroo Tobias Seeto who could return from playing professional overseas (Spanish club Lanzarote Tias Yaiza, Rhys Giovenali will be stepping up from the youth men?s. Also joining the revamped Warriors team is former Warrior Jeff Turner from the Hawkesbury Commodores and former Western Raiders duo Corey Bizco and Dane Merrin.
The Warriors will be thereabouts at the season?s end.
The Sydney City Eagles once again under NSW head coach Jamie Amendolia will be there abouts.
Like Quake and the Warriors, the Eagles have their fair share of representative players.
Futsalroo number one Peter Spathis will once again captain his side.  Alongside Spathis, Futsalroo Chris Zeballos will need to have a good season as will NSW representative players Andres Gomes, Dylan Maloney and Marino Musumeci. The Eagles have lost Andrew Paine and Brian Zeballos this season but in their place have come in Ross Fazzalaro whilst coach Jamie Amendolia will dust off his futsal footwear for a run. If Leo Carle signs as expected the Eagles could once again be holding silver wear come seasons end.

New boys Enfield Rovers have been another that have done brilliantly in the offseason to rectify their needs after being promoted. Returning to the Rovers camp this season are Mascarello, Col, Maniscalco and the supremely talented Foti brothers Captain Joe and Robert who accounted for 70 of the teams 100 or so goals last season. Coach Ernie Bivonas has been busy in the off-season recruiting players in what is a very competitive squad. Bivona formally of Inner West Allstars fame went back and haunted his old club, making a spectacular hat trick of signings. The Rovers big off – season signing is former Futsalroo captain Lachlan Wright.  Wright didn?t play last season because of knee injuries but by all reports looks in fine shape and ready for a big season. Whilst Wright might be heading towards the end of his International career Bivona has also signed someone just beginning his, Shevin Adeli.  The talented Adeli whom represented the Futsalroos at the recent Asian Championships had spent his career at the Allstars up to this point and will feature heavily in both the youth and Mens team. Bivona added the what appears to be the icing on his cake by securing the services of Futsalroo Danny Ngaluafe.
Nagulafe  who is currently playing in the Thai National League will join up with his new Rovers team mates in October. Nagulafe will give Enfield and the entire league another superstar to keep their eye on. Bivona completed his hat trick of former Allstar recruits with the signature of pocket rocket Jacob Di Mento whilst also adding Jeff Bugalo. This Rovers side has a nice mix of youth and experience and the ability to cause enough headaches for the leading teams to keep a very close eye over their shoulders.

The Allstars now under new coach Carmine Bortone have had to re build and what a fine job they have done in rebuilding. Club Captain and Futsalroo Adrian Vizzari remains and is primed for a big season.  Vizzari will need to lead his side if they hope to reclaim back to back Premierships.
Another Futsalroo remaining for the Allstars is the lightning quick Daniel Fogarty. Dubbed the Flash because of his lightning speed Fogarty whom will play both Youth and Mens will have another young gun joining him and that?s new Futsal phenomenon Tommy Rogic. Rogic a newly capped Futsalroo has been a revelation since joining the ACT State side early last year and has already got more International goals than caps has made the commitment to travel down from Canberra each week.
Another member of that illustrious former/current Futsalroo squad will be none other than Queenslander Luke Haydon. Haydon with ambitions to once again represent Australia has committed to flying from Queensland every week to join the Allstar makeover. Also joining is another former Futsalroo Issac Waddick who returns after a season out of the game through injury whilst NSW representatives Roberto Maiorana, Ediz Alpkaya join youngsters Pat Pace and Robbie Greenway in a team hopeful of doing the Premiership double but going one better than last season?s Grand Final loss.

The Vipers from Mascot are another side that have improved during the off-season.
Whilst not having any Futsalroos in their team what the Vipers do have is one of the best 1 -2 combinations in the league. Perennial Player of The Year candidate Yavus Ekinci is back once again to haunt opposition goal keepers and defenders alike as is partner in crime Robbie Issa whilst last seasons major acquisition Motjaba Mohebbee also returns. The Vipers feel they have unearthed a hidden gem in former South Coast Taipan Daniel Ferrero whilst teammate Sammy Mehrkhavari also arrives at the Menai based club. Mehrkhavari is well known after his exploits at the National Championships and could be the quietest but deadliest of all preseason signings.

The Western Raiders wait is finally over with the return of the Prodigal son Ray Miller returning to the club. Miller who earned his first Futsalroo cap at the recent Asian Cup is looking for a big season after having last season off due to Sydney FC commitments. Raiders will need Miller and current Goalkeeper of the year Peter Akers to have outstanding seasons if the Raiders are to make the semi finals. The talent of these 2 men are unquestioned but they must find some help to break into the top 4.
Sydney Benfica also hail the return of club icon Husky Akil. Akil like Miller had last season off due to Sydney FC commitments but is back and primed to be among the competitions leading goal scorers.

Incredibly this seasons Mens competition has 11 of the current 14 man Futsalroos squad which competed at the recent Asians Championships playing whilst at least another 10 former Futsalroos will also be competing. A record number which is unprecedented and it sure does make for a moth watering treat for all Futsal enthusiasts.

Round One Starts kicks off on Saturday 18^th September 2010
Western Raiders vs. Inner West Allstars, Blacktown Leisure Centre, Stanhope matches start from 9:45am
Dural Warriors vs. Sydney City Eagles at Dural Sport and Leisure Centre, Dural games matches from 1:15pm
Campbelltown City Quake vs. Enfield Rovers at Minto Indoor Sports Stadium, Minto matches start from 1:15pm
Sunday 19^th September 2010

Sydney Benfica FC vs. Mascot Vipers at Menai Indoor Sports Centre, Menai, Matches start from 1:15pm