The Solomon Islands U-14 national futsal team, Junior Kurukuru jet off to Australia today to compete in the FFA National Futsal Championship in Canberra.
The 13-man traveling team is led by Solomon Islands Sports Coalition (SISC) president, Nathanial Seru, SIFF Futsal & Beach Soccer Development Officer, Dickson Kadau and coach Caleb Fox.
Caleb Fox stressed that he has huge confidence his young lads have what it take to win the title in the Australian capital.
“We have been working hard for this tournament and I am confident my boys will compete against best state teams in our category,” he said.
“This team consists of most players coming through our development programme over the years.
“Most of my boys played in the past championship with the national U-12 so we have the experience to do well.”
Team Manager Seru highlights that this team is a testament to futsal development in the country.
“The development of the sport continues until today, and the team’s participation comes out as a result of it.
“If the country focuses on the adults and forgets about the development work in the game for these young ones, I think if it might go the same way as other sport like beach soccer where we used to be up there but not anymore,” he said.
The Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) met the traveling expenses including airfare and visa for the team.
The Junior Kurukuru U14s are in Group B of the AFF National Futsal Championship with Capital Football, New South Wales Metro Lighting, Football SA Blue and Football West Black Swans.
Junior Kurukuru will begin the competition with a tough encounter against Football NSW Metro Lightning on Monday 13th January at ANU Sports Centre.
