HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2016-02-24, Page 1519.482.1100
Central Huron & Surrounding Area
1
Clinton
News Record
www.clintonnewsrecord.com
$1.50
HST included
PM40064683R07600
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
9.11,10114
CALL GAVINS FIRST!
Water, Fire & Wind
Damage Restoration
Carpet, Furnace & Duct Cleaning
Power
Washing
4Y'
1
ITI
524-2440
Locally Owned & Operated
www.gavincleaning.com
Valerie Gillies Photos / Clinton News Record
Four of the players who play futsal, better known as indoor soccer, for Huron County have
been chosen to play at the provincial level by their London coaches. Their goal as part of
the London team is to vie for the Ontario Cup, which is the top level of competition in the
province. From left: Connor Pullen of Goderich, Shawn Mcllwaine of Goderich, Dawson Hoggart
of Londesborough area, Neil Martin of Brussels, London coach Edwin Saraccinik.
Valerie Gillies
Clinton News Record
The sport of Futsal, better
known as indoor soccer in
this area, is becoming more
competitive in Huron
County. Huron FC was fortu-
nate to be able to secure high
level coaches from the Lon-
don club to work with the
Huron County teams.
Coach Edwin Saraccinik
granted an interview to the
Clinton News Record, along
with four players that have
been chosen from the Huron
FC team to play at the provin-
cial level for Saraccinik's Lon-
don team. The Ontario Cup is
the highest level of competi-
tion in the province,
requiring those who play to
be elite athletes that have
honed their skills to a high
level for their age group. The
four local players are Connor
Pullen of Goderich, Shawn
Mcllwaine of Goderich,
Dawson Hoggart of Londes-
borough area and Neil Mar-
tin of Brussels.
Saraccinik explained that
futsal requires the same skills
as outdoor soccer. However,
the speed of the game neces-
sitates that the players must
be faster in using them. This
faster play makes futsal a
great sport to develop out-
door soccer skills and playing
outdoor soccer is good prep-
aration for entering futsal.
When asked what Pullen's
friends thought of him play-
ing futsal, he laughed and
said they usually ask, "What
is futsal?" The game is not
well known in this area.
Saraccinik added, "Futsal
is a world -recognized sport
to FIFA, but here it seems
like people are unaware of
it." FIFA is the international
governing body of associa-
tion football, futsal and
beach soccer. The official
name is Federation Interna-
tionale de Football Associa-
tion which translates to
International Federation of
Association Football. Sarac-
cinik is surprised that a
sport so well known in
Europe and internationally
seems to be so unknown
Huron FC players sharpen their skills during drills at the
twice -weekly practice in Clinton. Most practices are held at
St. Anne's as was the case on February 16
locally. He remarks, "This
makes us feel unique. We
are pioneering futsal in
Huron County and south-
western Ontario."
Mcllwaine explains that
the Huron FC team prac-
tices in Clinton but the
games are in London. He
stated, "I like to challenge
myself to get better, to be a
stronger player."
The challenging of self
was echoed by the other
players as being a motivator
for play at this level.
Hoggart specifically likes
playing for Huron FC,
"because it is harder train-
ing so you can get to a
higher level of competition:'
He adds, "Practice makes
perfect," which echoes the
commitment and dedica-
tion needed to play at this
level. Another benefit Hog-
gart appreciates is that fut-
sal develops the physical
ability to do other sports.
Futsal is much more physi-
cal than outdoor soccer.
CONTINUED > PAGE 2