Hallam kids get the ball rolling at the Nationals
Sheffield Hallam will show off their latest recruits at this years National Finals, an under 11 squad!! Hallam have been training their budding stars for 3 months and have had several friendly matches with other local teams. The new squad is to be run by first team official Nick Crosby and Sheffield Wednesday Recruitment Officer Alan Watson. The programme is been overseen by Hallam President Phil Smith and General Manager Ben Goddard. Both have been involved throughout the training schedule and are excited at the prospect of a junior team. "This adds to the development of Sheffield Hallam not only as a team but as a Futsal Club. These youngsters have shown an amazing ability to adapt to the tactical and physical demads of a new sport." Said Ben Goddard. "The Under 11 squad will be involved in a mini tournament at the National Finals and this will give them their first chance to compete at a good level." Added Smith.
The Juniors squad will play against another team from Sheffield, a team from Grimsby and a select team from Hull. These three areas have proven to generate good Mens Futsal teams and now they have extended their arm to junior level. To find out more about these teams come down to the English Institute of Sport on the 18th, 19th and 20th of June or email Steellad@hotmail.com
Hard work now in store for Hallam
Sheffield Hallam qualified in style from the Sheffield regionals this week. they went 15 games unbeaten in the 16 game league to end up with 43 points and 12 goals conceded. Hallam now go on to defend their title of English Champions where their old rivals Tranmere Victoria and Santos await.
Hallam have a strengthened squad from last year and are concious that the whole country are now more competative and experienced. Word has reached the Hallam camp of stronger teams from the south and they will have to be ready more than ever if they wish to continue their reign.
"its going to be tough this year. All the lads have put everything into this season and we are 100% stronger than last year. Yet we know that other powerhouses such as Tranmere and Santos have also being strengthening their squads. its going to be class", said hallam's stalwart Ben Eldridge.
The healthy thing is that through Futsal England the game has been spread wide and far across the country. The guys at FE have helped not only the Nationals Champions this year but they have put in major development plans for new teams and leagues nationwide.
"The Guys at FE have been a great help to us this season helping to promote the game and also create awareness of our curent domestic success, without them we would not have had publicity on a global scale", said Dan Ebbutt Hallam striker.
Hallam are currently preparing for their summer camp season that kicks off with a week long training schedule on June 10th. They have drafted in top Physical fitness coach Kevin Hornsby who is known globally for his ability to get the maximum output from any squad he has worked with including, Bradford City, Bradford Bulls and Chesterfield. Hornsby is currently out in the Caribbean with hallam President Phil Smith. Both are working with the World cup preperation for St. Vincent who face Nicuragua at the end of the month in a pre-qualifier.
"kevin has proved his worth in the world of football and has now been invited to come onboard with the countries number one Futsal club. As we all know Futsal is extreamly demanding and requires a lot of physical output, Kevin has come in to make sure the lads will be leading the way in fitness levels at the National finals. One thing we will not be beaten on is fitness, said Hallam's President Phil Smith.
For now Hallam are locked behind the closed doors of their training camp and some serious work is going on. Only time will tell, and their ability to continue as the countries number one side will soon be tested. "The boys have done well and for us to now have regular players in the National side is a credit to those players and the work they have put in, said General Manager Ben Goddard.
Hallam march on to the Nationals once more
For the second time in successive seasons Sheffield Hallam progressed to the FA National Finals from their qualifying group. Hallam faced strong opposition from both Slater Print and Doncaster College, who kept up the chase right to the end of the campaign. Looking stronger than last year Hallam now go on to the Finals at the English Institute of Sport where old rivals Tranmere Victoria and Santos await. “We have a nice problem now here at Hallam. Many players from our club have put a lot of work in so far this season and many of them deserve a place in the final draft. However, we can not take all of them to the Finals and the selection process has now begun. As always we will be committed the players that have been here from the beginning, but we can not sacrifice the development of the club and therefore must allow stronger players the chance to perform at the top level.” Said Phil Smith. This was the first hint Smith gave of the rumour that Sheffield Hallam are planning to set up a ‘Reserve’ team. Watch this space for further pre-final news and more interviews with the Halllam starts.
Champs on course for the Nationals.
Sheffield Hallam are on course for another National finals. The National Champions are curently top of their qualifying group with a game in hand over close rivals Doncaster College and NACRO. Last year the two top teams from this region were the actual finalists in the National Finals as well. Hallam and England star Louis Axcell said,
"Our region has to be the toughest in the country, we have at least six teams in our qualifying group that could go on to win the National Finals. Hopefully it will be us, but you never know."
Hallam have five games remaining and then their qualifying group gets cut down to 8 where a 'play-off' system will kick in. Phil Smith commented,
"Its great to be leading the way again at this stage, but anything can happen, we never like to assume anything, it has got us into too much trouble in the past. We'll keep plugging away and see where we are at the end of the Regional stages. Of course it would be fantastic to play in the Nationals in our home city, but for now we have job to finish and that is our main concern."
In their remaining 5 games Hallam must face Doncaster, NACRO and Slater Print who all lie in the respective 3 places below the them.
Hallam Back In Business
Sheffield Hallam kickstarted their Regional Championship campaign with two victories this week (29/03/04). Fielding three new players Sam White, Wayne Perry and Alex Higgins, Hallam put out a strong squad to face local rivals HR Media. After a slow start Hallam settled in and began to get back in the swing of things. Despite HR Media putting up equally strong opposition they could not handle the constant pressure applied from Hallam, with the final score standing at 6-3 in Hallam's favour. Squad from > G.Smith, B.Goddard, Axcell, White, P.Smith, Higgins, Perry
In the second fixture hallam faced York who finished second, to Hallam, in last years Regional league qualifier. However, Hallam have gone from strength to strength since then and never needed to break into second gear. With some great individual performances by Higgins, White and Perry Hallam looked as good as ever. The final score in this tie being 10-1.Squad from > G.Smith, B.Goddard, Axcell, White, P.Smith, Higgins, Perry
DUBLIN EXPECTS !!!!!
Expectations are now rising for Sheffield Hallam to perform in Dublin. Their biggest form of opposition comes once again from Moldova. The Moldovan's, who lost to Sheffield Hallam in the final of The Futsal England Trophy, are out to seek revenge. Sheffield Hallam are taking over some new faces to play in Dublin but are confident they will fit into the squad. "Its been a hectic start to the season so far, we have had quite an influx of players on trial here in Sheffield. The new lads have taken some time to settle into the squad and the Dublin tournament will help to intergrate these players at competition level." Said Hallam's Phil Smith. Missing from the Dublin trip will be Scott Coomber, who made a fantastic contribution to the team's performance in Cheltenham. Scott has been offered a full-time job at Charlton Athletic FC and now finds it difficult to free up his weekends. "He wil be sorely missed, but our new players will be keen to fit any gap Coomber may have left." Commented Jon Gray, Hallam Team Manager
Hallam players go back to school!!!!
Members of Sheffield Hallam Futsal Squad were on hand to help promote a new Schools Futsal League. The League is headed by Hallam legend Andy Tibbenham. His pupils from Oakwood School in Rotherham were amongst the Schools to participate in the pilot league. Over time it is hoped that the league will expand throughout the region and eventually end up with junior and senior competitions. For now the lads are more than happy to turn up after school and participate in the countries most rapid growing sport. Making a guest appearence were Sheffield Hallam's own Futsal starts phil Smith and Mikey Kwiatkowski. Phil and Mikey stayed around all afternoon and had photos taken with the kids and the two trophies currently held by Sheffield Hallam, The FA National Championship Trophy and the Famous Futsal England Trophy.
____________________________________________________
