2010 State Championships AWD Division
In the A division teams competed from Thornleigh, Illawarra, Five Dock, Eastern Suburbs and Orange. The competition was played at a very high standard and the games could have gone any way. After the round robin the team from the Disability Trust (Illawarra) were undefeated and a clear favourite to win the competition. However, the reason we play the game is that competitions are won on the court and the team from NARA (Thornleigh) arose from a titanic struggle in the grand final to fall over the line 2 ? 1.
The grand final had everything. End to end action, balls hitting posts, sensational saves by both goalies (especially outstanding was the keeper from Illawarra who stepped in when unfortunately the 1st keeper was serving a 1 game suspension from the semi final). Both teams were an absolute credit to themselves and the game of futsal and the only thing on display more than the skill was the sportsmanship displayed in the games. Make no mistake the games were played at a ferocious pace and level but the camaraderie and sense of enjoyment and pleasure of the chance to play together is infectious and creates a sense of community.
The final placing in the A division were:
1. Northern Area Recreation Association (Thornleigh)
2. Disability Trust (Illawarra)
3. Disability Service Australia (Eastern Suburbs)
4. Roselands Sports and Aquatic Club (Five Dock)
5. Orange
In the B division teams competed from Thornleigh, Illawarra, Five Dock, Central Coast and Newcastle. The outstanding team in this division was the Lifestyle Solutions Rebels (Hunter). The newcomers took all before them and were worthy winners and are excited to be progressing to the A division next competition day.
Again the competition was outstanding with everyone displaying great skill and commitment. While Hunter was the standouts the team from RSAC grabbed their opportunities and in a nail bitting 7-6 win over NARA in the semi deservedly achieved a place in the grand final.
The final placing in the A division were:
1. Lifestyle Solutions Rebels (Hunter)
2. Roselands Sports and Aquatic Club (Five Dock)
3. Northern Area Recreation Association (Thornleigh)
4. Disability Trust (Illawarra)
The competition was an amazing success and a credit to the athletes and Football NSW| Futsal especially Damien Briggs who even though run off his feet all weekend ensured the AWD division ran smoothly and promoted and extolled its virtues to everyone within earshot. The highlight of the weekend for me, beside the standard of play from the athletes was all of the positive feedback we received from everyone at the centre ? it made the athletes day. I especially like the comment from the open men?s coach who told me he made his team watch the game so they could see first hand what sportsmanship looks like ? very rewarding!
With NSW having 4 teams competing in the Nationals at Canberra in January (Thunder, Lightning, Western NSW, Southern NSW) and an Australia team being selected to compete in the Global Games in Italy in September the future for AWD in futsal is very encouraging. We look forward to seeing everyone on the courts very soon.
– Greg Brown
