Historic first for Doncaster
Monday, July 11, 2005
Article summary
Doncaster College for the Deaf, the new English Futsal champions, will become the first disabled team to enter a mainstream UEFA competition in 2006/07.
Article body
Historic first
Doncaster College for the Deaf were yesterday crowned champions of England after coming out on top in the Football Assocation's national Futsal finals at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield. In so doing, they have earned a place in the 2006/07 UEFA Futsal Cup and will become the first disabled team to play in a mainstream UEFA competition.
High praise
The Yorkshire-based side ran out 3-2 winners in the final against London club Baltic United FC with goals from Sam Kitchen, player-manager Brian Green and John Atkinson. Sir Trevor Brooking, the FA director for football development, presented the team with the winning trophy. He said: "Futsal is all about technique and great awareness and the Doncaster players have that in abundance."
'Fantastic achievement'
Doncaster goalkeeper Jon Smith said: "It is a fantastic achievement. We showed that Futsal is all about ability and not disability. The whole team was elated after the game.We have now got 12 months to prepare for the UEFA Futsal Cup. We will be using that time to work hard on our game and try to become an even better team."
Rapid rise
Smith, who is also programme manager for sport at Doncaster College for the Deaf, explained how his side have overcome their disability to become the country's best Futsal team. The club have only been playing the sport for three years.
Always focused
He said: "It's all about non-verbal communication. We practise a lot in training and work hard on general awareness. All the players need to keep focused on what's happening and keep looking at myself and the bench for tactical instructions."
Early entrants
England were first represented in the 2003/04 UEFA Futsal Cup when Tranmere Victoria FC took part in the preliminary round, going down 17-2 on aggregate to AS Odorheiu Secuiesc. The following campaign saw Sheffield Hallam FC's participation in the same stage, but despite hosting the three team mini-tournament they finished bottom of the section.
London calling
In 2005/06, flying the flag for England will be FC White Bear London. The club, led by Oleksandr Saliy, will stage the four-team mini-tournament in September's preliminary round, with two places in the qualifying round up for grabs.
