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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2017-03-01, Page 15Wednesday, March 1, 2017 • Huron Expositor 15 Huron County boys compete in Ontario Futsal Cup Six young futsal (indoor soccer) if players from Huron County make trip to Durham College to take part in highly competitive two- day provincial championship Sheila Pritchard Special to the Postmedia Network Six local I-luron FC Soccer players travelled to Oshawa this past weekend to partici- pate in the Ontario Futsal Cup. The tournament, which attracts the best teams from across the province, deter- mines a provincial cham- pion of futsal—the world - recognized sport better known to some as indoor soccer. The Huron County boys selected to compete at the two-day championship were Shawn Mcllwain of Goder- ich, Connor Pullen of Goder- ich, and Dawson Hoggart of Londesborough ,(U14 Divi- sion), along with Reece Sparling from Blyth, Masa Ono of Blyth, and Nathan Haas from Goderich (U16 Division). The boys, who currently play on London teams with LACFC (London Athletic Canadian Futbol Club), have all been playing indoor fustal for two to three years and were chosen to compete in the Ontario Fus- tal Cup by Huron FC Techni- cal Director Edwin Saraccini based on their high skill level in the sport. A derivative of soccer, fut- sal is played with five -roan teams, one of whom is the goalie, on a basketball -style court in a gymnasium using a smaller, heavier, low -bounc- ing ball. It is played in the winter, while outdoor soccer is played in the summer. Fut- sal is the recognized indoor game of FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association)—the interna- tional governing body of association football, futsal and beach soccer—as the game to play if players want to excel in the sport of soccer. "The game is really fun to watch because there are more shots, and it's really fast," says Huron FC Club Manager Annie Sparling. Soccer superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi grew up playing the game and credit futsal with developing their skills, says Sparling. "Many of the great players attribute futsal for their success in soccer; that is why we do futsal. We have seen our players who play and train using futsal in the winter hit the field in the summer and really take off." Huron FC is a year-round soccer club affiliated with LACFC that trains all year. Working with LACFC, the club allows players to pro- gress at their pace and offers higher playing options as the players continue to develop. With the help and partner- ship of LACFC, Huron FC has players playing at provincial levels. The Ontario Cup, the highest level of competition in the province, requires those who play to be top ath- letes that have developed their skills to an advanced level for their age group. According to Sparling, the boys have been training up to four times a week for the last several months, with additional games and local tournaments, in preparation for the Ontario Cup. Sparling says playing at such a competitive level can be demanding. "The biggest challenge is the commit- ment made by the family to support the player with the time required to train, travel to training and games, and understanding that playing at higher levels one needs to be highly disciplined, men- tally strong, and very fit." But the rewards, she says, are invaluable. "[It's] the satis- faction of seeing your hard work pay off, through the invitations to play at high- level competitions and tour- naments, advancing in your skills." And it is gratifying to see local talent recognized at regional and provincial lev- els, says Sparling. "It's a real honor to be invited and rewarded for the hard work our players have put into their sport. We have a lot of really talented players in our club, and I know many of them will go very far in their sport." "As a manager I am so proud of all of them, they have amazing attitudes and their love of the sport ener- gizes me, and makes my job very rewarding." The six Huron FC Soccer players who recently attended the Ontario Futsal Cup. Love from you family Photos by Justine Alkema/Pastrnedia Network The whole Huron FC Soccer Club at their practice on Thursday, February 23. The club recently was sponsored for new jerseys (see black shirts in photo) by Westcoast Concrete owned by Kevin Langille. seaforthhuronexpositor.com •• . • • • • • • ,(0 , ' • , : • • , • • • , , , • • • • • • • • • , • • • 1 ROnetnerker OFthap (.4/ Make Your Own Beer, Wine, Coolers and Fruit Wine (68imr kevir ar at hod) 84 Kingston St., GODBdCH 524-2323 AW439553 • • • 1 . a 11(11/hy, 901, 6» / d[q Laura Eggert March 2nd, 2017 Love and best wishes from your family. i �Y` ' C.—