After last week’s brilliant showing, the girls were back at St John’s for another round of fantastic futsal. We love playing at the Sports Barn at York St John University, but we do wish they would turn the heating up because it is sooo cold inside! Still, the futsal more than made up for it, with the action on court absolutely scorching hot!

What a brilliant futsal session today! We focused on using the full width of the court after noticing in our Leeds and Hull games that players were coming inside too early. By rewarding width, players could stay unopposed in their own half, and once they realised this, the speed and quality in wide areas really improved.

We saw some fantastic movement, quicker reactions and much better use of space, leading to stronger goal scoring opportunities. A great effort from everyone today and a big step forward in understanding how important width is in futsal. Great work, everyone!

First Hour – The Whole Group – What a morning! In eight seasons we have never done this, but today was just too good not to celebrate everyone. The whole group stepped up and absolutely smashed it. Every single player gave everything, stayed switched on, and pulled off some incredible moments of play. All the coaches were buzzing afterwards. We just sat there smiling, proud of every one of you. A massive thank you to all the girls in the first hour this morning. You were amazing!

Second Hour – Bonnie-Shai – This young lady has improved so much since she first started futsal, and today was another big step forward on that journey. She is powerful, pacy and incredibly dynamic. Once she gets on the ball she drives straight toward goal with real intent. We do not think she backed out of a single tackle and she looked like an absolute force of nature this morning. The best part is that she is still so young, with so much time to grow even more. Top top job, Bonnie Shai!

Travelling for away futsal matches is never easy. Early starts, long drives, and hours spent on the road can take their toll, especially when balancing work, study, and family commitments. Yet the Bootham Ladies continue to show outstanding dedication, turning up with energy, focus, and team spirit every time. Their commitment to the sport and to each other is what keeps the team moving forward, no matter the miles or the challenges along the way.

Every away trip is a reminder of the passion that drives this squad. From players car-sharing across the country to those squeezing training and travel around busy schedules, the commitment is clear. It’s not just about turning up on match day, it’s about the preparation, the organisation, and the determination to represent Bootham with pride wherever the game takes them.

The same can be said for the youth players, who face similar challenges with no local fixtures available. Every match involves travel, often long distances, but their enthusiasm never fades. These young players show incredible dedication to learning, improving, and embracing the futsal journey. Their commitment to developing their skills and supporting each other sets a fantastic example for the future of the club.

As the team coach, I honestly can’t ask for any more from any of my players, young or old. Their attitude, effort, and love for the game make every mile travelled and every challenge faced completely worthwhile.