On Sunday 15 December Bootham U12 girls visited Batley Grammar School for the final week of the West Riding Girls Futsal League. They had an outside chance of winning the league but needed to keep their impressive 6 game unbeaten run going. The U13s also had two friendlies against old rivals Samba Futsal Club.

The U13s were represented by: Scarlett W, Imogen B, Mandy M, Isabelle S, Rusne V, Maisie M, Mollie C and Jess H.

The U12s were represented by: Aoife (GK), Emily C, Isabelle S, Mollie C, Naomi L, Rusne V, Emily W and Lily N.

Game 01

Game 02

And the final U12s league table – so close for this amazing team!

Game 03

Game 04

Huge congratulations to Batteyford on winning the U12 Winter Futsal League.

Player of the Week – U12s – The Whole Team, Again! – we are running out of superlatives for this group of players. They knew they had an outside chance of winning the league, but ultimately it just wasn’t to be. That didn’t stop them from putting on a show in the first game and then battling until the final few seconds in the last game to keep their amazing unbeaten run going. They will go again in the summer series, and you wouldn’t bet against them coming home with the title….stunning, simply stunning!

Player of the Week – U13s – The Whole Team playing against a very strong group of players from Leeds, the U13s put a marker down for teamwork and that never-say-die spirit all coaches ask for. They really had to battle in both games and scored some very good goals. But what impressed the coaches the most was the out of possession, the way they put their bodies on the line and defended, it was so, so good to watch.

Huge well done to Mollie and Isabelle who played for both age groups, and Rusne, who stepped up to play in the age group above for the first time – you were all stunning and a tribute to the club, thank you!

Coach’s Comment – The West Riding Girls Futsal League has finally given our players the chance to play regular competitive games against different oppositions. This competitive edge has really brought out the players understanding of the game of futsal and we have seen some stunning futsal, especially considering the age of the players. I have been staggered by the combination play, the trust in each other and the way they have tried, repeatedly, to play the game of futsal as we have asked them. A parent asked to me if we are going to include the girls’ goals in the end of season goal of the season competition, something usually reserved for the lady’s team – but looking at the goals the girls have scored, I think we will have to make a new category!

I know it is a big ask to travel repeatedly an hour away to play these games, but the support from the parents has been amazing, and helps make this well worth doing. I know it interferes with the normal Sunday sessions, but looking at how the girls are performing, we will continue to support this league. I honestly can’t wait until 2025 to see the girls continue their futsal journey and boy have I loved this year! Thank you, thank, thank you and thank you!

Coach Chris