From next to nothing to something of their childhood dreams, a Launceston trio of futsal hopefuls have quickly found their golden touch.
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Jordan Powell, Cooper Styles and Casey Noble have starred in Australian colours on a tour of New Zealand.
The nine-year-old mates were named in Tasmania’s first-ever futsal team at their age national championships earlier in the year.
The bitter disappointment of being knocked out in the quarter-finals were forgotten quickly when they were the only Tasmanians selected to represent their country.
Strutting out for Australia Gold, one of three under-10 national sides and the Launceston boys three of the top 20 prospects in soccer’s indoor five-a-side game, they first took on a series of Kiwi teams that included 12-year-olds at the Auckland school futsal championships.
But they found their range next tournament in Taranaki in the international futsal day. All three Australian teams finished unbeaten.
That run continued for Australia Gold at an Auckland schools tournament.
But the big test came when national sides went head to head over two days.
Powell, Styles and Noble were named among the outstanding players that went some way towards Australia Gold bringing home the gold in the early games.
The New Zealanders were quick to strike back the next day to win and relegate the trio’s Gold side to third out of the six teams.
Andrew Mathieson
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
