Sunshine Coast Wave top young futsal talents revealed
They’re quick, defensive dynamos and have sublime ball skills. Meet the Sunshine Coast’s top junior futsal talent and see why they’ve been picked as players to watch.
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The Sunshine Coast is home to talented junior sporting stars and the rapid growing sport of futsal is no different.
Players are spread across all nine football clubs as well as the Sunshine Coast Fire and Sunshine Coast Wanderers academies.
The Sunshine Coast Futsal association, which began in 1996 with 300 registered players, has now grown to more than 1000 players competing junior and senior, men’s and women’s teams.
Representative players are then recognised and selected in the various Sunshine Coast Wave teams to compete in the SEQ Premier League for juniors and the F-League for seniors.
The Waves currently sat in first place for the 2022 season in the boys under 12, 14, 15, 16, Youth Men's and Senior Men’s divisions.
Sunshine Coast Futsal Association director of coaching Justin Morrison, who has 26 years of playing experience and 18 years of coaching experience, has helped shine a spotlight on a number of the Wave’s top rising talents.
U12 Boys
Adam Zanatta
Position: Goalkeeper
“Adam is definitely at the pinnacle of his age group when it comes to goalkeeping,” Morrison said.
“His long stature is a huge asset to the team’s success and his throwing range allows him to excel above other keepers in his age group.
“Adam has earned selection in the 2022 Queensland Squad.”
Baylen Jones
Position: Fixo
“Baylen leads by example on the pitch and is a fantastic communicator,” Morrison said.
“He sets himself a high benchmark each time he plays.
“His physical strength and ability on the ball shows he’s one of the top players in his respective age group.
“His leadership helped his team win the State Titles this year and gained him selection into the 2022 Queensland Squad.”
Aidan Gull
Position: Flanker
“Aidan is new to our Club this season,” Morrison said.
“His tactical understanding is growing each match he plays and he’s grasped his role within the team very quickly.
“Known for his rapid pace with the ball at his feet, he continuously causes concern for opposition defenders and goalkeepers.
“We’re looking forward to watching Aidan develop this season and beyond.”
U13 Girls
Olivia Harth-Vincent
Position: Flanker
“Olivia is also new to Wave this season but has been playing futsal regularly on the local scene and at school with the Kawana Waters Football Excellence Program,” Morrison said.
“She’s also known for her quick feet and speed both on and off the ball.”
Summer Latimer
Position: Fixo
“Summer has been a Wave Representative Player for a number of years now and that experience shines through each time she plays,” Morrison said.
“Known for her defensive qualities and powerful shot from distance she has the ability to turn or win a match at either end of the pitch.”
Jessica Stafford
Position: Flanker
“Jess is also in her inaugural season of futsal with Wave but is a member of the Chancellor State College Football Academy where she plays futsal regularly for the school,” Morrison said.
“Another player with strong defensive attributes, Jess has a high work ethic with good perception and anticipation during the game, something all strong futsal players require to succeed at a competitive level.”
U13 Boys
Oliver Allan
“Oliver is a very talented player who is technically gifted,” Morrison said.
“He can quickly change defence into attack with his silky skills and change of pace.
“He has a strong work rate and work ethic which sees him comfortable defending or attacking on the pitch.
“He is always willing to listen and learn to improve himself.”
Lennon Biggs
“Lennon is a powerful striker of the ball who has great ball running skills,” Morrison said.
“Lennon’s strengths are his adaptability, his skills and change of pace that makes him a dangerous player.
“He can play fixo or pivot which means he is comfortable at either end of the pitch.”
Abel Webster
“Abel is a player who has great communication skills on the pitch,” Morrison said.
“Abel is a skilful player who has a powerful shot and is comfortable playing in any position.
“Very accomplished with either foot makes him dangerous when on goal.”
U14 Boys
Thomas Aarons
Position: Fixo
“Tommy’s form this year has been scintillating and the sharpness and energy he brings to the side lifts the players around him,” Morrison said.
“He has become one of the leading goal scorers in the league with forceful shots off both feet, but his high-pressure defence has been one of the keys to the team’s success with opponents always finding themselves under pressure.”
William Fawcett
Position: Goalkeeper
“William is having another outstanding season between the posts following his performances last season,” Morrison said.
“He has proven to be a hard worker, an excellent shot stopper and courageous in one-on-one contests.
“He is an integral part of this team’s success as his enthusiasm and encouragement inspires his teammates.
“He has also earned him selection in the Queensland squad.”
Jackson O’Reilly
Position: Fixo
“Jackson has become more comfortable in his role as one of the team leaders this season and it has shown in the fact that not only is he rock solid in defence but has become the league’s top goal scorer with his quick feet and devastating shooting,” Morrison said.
“Jackson brings a level of calmness to the team and his willingness to learn and ability to solve problems has earned him selection in the Queensland squad.”
Rhys Williams
Position: Pivot
“The team welcomed back Rhys after a year off, but he has taken no time to get back into the swing of things,” Morrison said.
“He has incredible ball control that he uses to baffle opposition and unlock defences.
“Not only does he score goals, but he works equally hard in defence and combines wonderfully with his teammates.
“He has earned selection in the Queensland Squad.”
U15 Girls
Amber Faherty
Position: Fixo
“You won’t find a better player on the ball in the under 15 girls age group,” Morrison said.
“Amber is technically gifted and can escape high pressure situations using her sublime ball skills.
“Amber is explosive off the mark making her hard to handle for defensive oppositions.
“Amber has been selected in the 2022 Queensland Squad.”
Ciara Evans
Position: Goalkeeper
“Ciara is our under 15 girls shot stopper between the sticks,” Morrison said.
“She can deliver a ball on a two cent piece which means she’s extremely accurate in ball distribution out of her hands and from her feet.
“Every strong team needs a great goalkeeper and we’re lucky enough to have one of the best.
“Ciara has been selected in the 2022 Queensland Squad.”
Kasey Peters
Position: Flanker
“Kasey is a fantastic player for so many different reasons, she really can do it all out on the pitch,” Morrison said.
“She regularly gets on the scorer’s sheet each match and can also win a game for her team defensively.
“Kasey has been selected in the 2022 Queensland Squad.”
U15 Boys
Riley McPhail
Position: Fixo/Flanker
“Riley is another player that scores goals regularly but can also prevent them at the other end of the pitch,” Morrison said.
“A player with a cannon for a shot, Riley is dangerous from distance making him difficult to close down for defences.
“Riley has been selected in the 2022 Queensland Squad.”
Benjamin Newcome
Position: Flanker
“Benny has a rocket of a left foot and sublime foot skills to match,” Morrison said.
“He’s another one of our player’s that feature regularly in Queensland Futsal Teams.
“He’s very mobile and agile with plenty of speed off the mark.
“Benjamin has been selected in the 2022 Queensland Squad.”
Mason Ngaha
Position: Pivot/Fixo
“Mason is known for his physical strength and great defensive attributes,” Morrison said.
“He is very difficult to beat defensively in one-on-one situations.
“He can also play at the other end of the pitch in the position of Pivot.
“Mason has been selected in the 2022 Queensland Squad.”
U16 Boys
Christian Schlotterbach
Position: Flanker
“Christian has had an outstanding futsal season so far and the quality he’s been producing each week has earned him a position in the 2022 Queensland Squad,” Morrison said.
“Chrissy can fulfil any position on the futsal pitch and perform it well.
“He has a powerful shot and can thread a needle with a pass under pressure.”
Dunia Kambona
Position: Pivot
“Dunia is a commanding Pivot who possesses both height and strength,” Morrison said.
“He can finish a goal off with either foot and he’s well known as being someone who comes to life in big games when everything is on the line.
“Dunia has been selected in the 2022 Queensland Squad.”
Oliver Demerutis
Position: Fixo/Flanker
“Ollie is another player that can fulfil any position on the pitch and perform well,” Morrison said.
“He’s someone that understands the game very well tactically and has really lifted this season in particular which has earned him a call up to the Youth team on numerous occasions.
“Oliver has been selected in the 2022 Queensland Squad.”
Youth Women
Maya Wiltsche
Position: Flanker/Pivot
“Maya possesses great ball skills and a beautiful body feint to send defenders in the wrong direction,” Morrison said.
“Maya is extremely coachable and is a player that easily follows instructions and directions out on the pitch.
“She can finish with either foot, making her extremely dangerous in front of goal.”
Ellie Hambly
Position: Fixo
“Ellie is a brilliant defender that is very difficult to beat in one-on-one situations, she delays the ball well allowing her teammates to recover when in transition,” Morrison said.
“Ellie has a fantastic work ethic and all of the above has earnt her a position in the 2022 Queensland Squad.”
Emily Ferroussat
Position: Flanker
“Emily is another one of our players that can fulfil any position on the pitch,” Morrison said.
“She’s extremely fit which means she can deliver big minutes if required.
“Emily is an all-round player that can do it all and is comfortable in numerous roles for her team.
“She has a great work ethic and it’s helped her earn a position in the 2022 Queensland Squad.
Youth Men
Josh Morwood
Position: Goalkeeper
“Josh is a fantastic shot stopper with brilliant technique in both drop knee and split leg saves,” Morrison said.
“He commands the defensive shape in front of him with great communication skills.
“Josh has been selected in the 2022 Queensland Squad.”
Jayden Emery
Position: Fixo/Flanker/Pivot
“Jayden is the player every coach wants,” Morrison said.
“He can play extremely well in every position on the futsal pitch and has been in the Wave system since he was 12-years-old.
“Tactically and technically he’s very sound with great foot skills and vision.
“Jayden has been selected in the 2022 Queensland Squad.”
Dyce Robertson
Position: Fixo/Flanker/Pivot
“Dyce is an explosive player with the physical strength to match,” Morrison said.
“He possesses a powerful shot off either foot and often leaves defenders chasing shadows with his dynamic movement both on and off the ball.
“Dyce has been selected in the 2022 Queensland Squad.”
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