Hundreds of Junior Futsal players descended onto the courts last Friday at the Katoomba Sports and Aquatic Centre for the second part of the Mountain Majik Futsal Club Annual Futsal Gala Day.
The centre was abuzz with the sound of energetic and excited children ready to show their talents on the courts. Many parents were in attendance which made the centre very busy and the stands crowded. The under 9/10 Girls were represented by Our lady of the Nativity with two teams, Leura, St Canice's and Korowal. With some exceptional talent the girls proved that goals were fun to score with a total of 44 being put in the back of the net across the 20 games. The girls were split for the finals with the Under 9 from Our Lady of the Nativity Lawson Team B playing against Korowal. In their previous encounter OLN Lawson had a 1 nil win, so this was looking to be a great final contest.
With a slow start the final score was looking to be a draw, but Our Lady of the Nativity finally found their striking foot and put 4 away before the final whistle. A great game between some amazing talent from both schools.
In the Under 10 Girls again the previous encounter was a 1 nil win to Leura, however St Canice's were playing a great passing game that gave them the confidence to get into the finals. Leura had played strongly all day with some great team work and brilliant saves from the goal keepers. The crowd were very vocal during the finals and Leura where incited by the rhythm. Leura put in 2 goals to win over St Canice's 0.
The Under 9 boys saw Leura with 2 teams, Blackheath, Korowal, Our Lady of Nativity Lawson with 2 teams and Wentworth Falls play out some great games. With an amazing array of skill, footwork and teamwork the boys put on a spectacle for the crowd who cheered them on from the first kick off. With some very close games and some draws the finals saw Wentworth Falls come up against Blackheath.
With only 1 goal separating them in their goal difference it was looking to be an exciting game. Wentworth Falls worked hard in defence with Blackheath continually picking at the goal keeper looking for the goal.
It was a while into the game before Blackheath finally put one in the back of the net which just boosted their confidence and they took the game away with a 4 - 0 win against Wentworth Falls.
The Under 9 mixed teams were represented by Leura, Steiner, Wentworth Falls, Mountains Christian College and Mt Victoria with 2 teams. Even though the score lines were small, there wasn't much into it until the final round which secured the final placings with Wentworth Falls and Mountains Christian College.
Wentworth Falls had 5 wins during the rounds which left the other 5 school vying for second place. Mountains Christian College stood up for the challenge with 3 wins one loss and one draw. Some great foot work and nicely placed passes saw the final game flow for Wentworth Falls. However Mountains Christian School fought back gallantly till the end, however Wentworth Falls were too strong and finished off with 5 goals to nil.
The Under 10 Boys saw Wentworth Falls and Blackheath up against 2 teams from St Canice's and 2 teams from Leura Primary School. These games were very fast paced and the boys certainly felt that they were all going to make the finals. Little did they know that the results from one game could be so detrimental to their placings on the table. This definitely came down to the wire with Leura A playing against St Canice's A in the final. Many a fine shot was taken and saved with the final whistle blown and no outcome. The boys brought themselves up to the plate for the one and only penalty shootout for the afternoon. Tension mounted as each side shot, scored, missed and saved. However Leura A came out winning against St Canice's 2 -1 in the penalty shootout.
The Under 10 mixed saw 10 teams nominated from Leura, Lawson, Blackheath, Mt Victoria, Wentworth Falls, Steiner, Our Lady of the Nativity, Korowal and Mountains Christian College. Again some tight matches and close wins and draws, led to the final with the winners from Pool A versus the winner of Pool B. A strong fought battle from both sides was the best way to finish off a fun day whilst both sides had many chances to put one in the net. Lawson A proved stronger at the net putting away 3 goals against Blackheath.
Player of the Tournament - Under 9 Girls Tiana Papa Our Lady of the Nativity Lawson; Under 9 Boys Jem Sullivan Blackheath Primary School; Under 9 Mixed Bill Everingham Mountains Christian College; Under 10 Girls Marleah Geopano St Canice's Catholic Primary Katoomba; Under 10 Boys Aaron Shields Leura Primary School; Under 10 mixed Liam Higham Blackheath Primary School.
