Futsal club kicks for national nod

FOLLOWING membership boosts and the introduction of new programs, Ballarat’s top futsal club has been nominated for one of Football Victoria’s Community Award categories.

Futsal Ballarat is one of four nominees up for the Futsal Club/Centre of the Year.

Dermott Tebb, Futsal Ballarat’s director of operations said it’s exciting to be acknowledged by the state’s governing football body.

“To be recognised by peers and the governing body hopefully gives a bit more credibility to the club and we can provide a greater platform to grow the sport and club,” he said.

“It’s a good accomplishment from the club and it’s good to see with everyone enjoying themselves throughout the weeks, the club’s getting the recognition it deserves.”

Established in 2009, Futsal Ballarat has grown from four children to in excess 1100 members, more than 150 of which are female.

Tebb said it’s Futsal Ballarat’s holistic approach that’s helped them achieve success.

“We’ve got things starting for kids from three years and older and we’ve got development training and competitions like our new girls-only programs with dedicated nights,” he said.

“On top of that we’ve got our academy program where we take the most talented kids from each age group into competitions.

“We’ve got an upcoming one in Gold Coast in January with about 40-odd girls and boys.

Tebb said their nomination reflected a growing regional interest in the sport.

“I think it’s where the game is growing the most,” he said. “There’s another pathway called the regional futsal series we created a few years ago.

“That’s getting to about 75 per cent of state champs so regionally, the sport’s growing astronomically.”

The awards winners will be announced during a Football Victoria Community in Business event on Thursday 16 November at the MCG.