[Images: Patrick Kearney/Football Queensland]
Peninsula Futsal Club are keen to make a statement when the inaugural SEQ Futsal Premier League season kicks-off this Saturday.
With each of the club’s junior, youth and senior teams in action away to Sunshine Coast Wave, Peninsula Women’s player Katherine Kirkwood is eager for the competition to help drive the club to new heights.
“It means a lot to us up in the Peninsula. Futsal is growing at a rapid rate in our region and we would like to make our club bigger and better year on year,” Kirkwood said.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for us to play at an elite level week-in, week-out rather than just one-off tournaments.”
Kirkwood formed part of the South Brisbane squad which won this year’s Puma F-League Women’s premiership, but the goalkeeper has returned to boost her local club for its maiden SEQ Futsal Premier League campaign.
“I’m a Peninsula local,” she explained. “As long as they (the South Brisbane players) don’t nutmeg me, it’ll be fine!”
Connor Funnell, one of the club’s talented young prospects, is equally keen for the Peninsula’s men’s program to make an impact.
“I think our team’s aim is to make sure opponents know we’re not here to mess around. We’re serious,” Funnell said.
“We may be a small club but we have a lot of potential.”
Funnell also plays football for Peninsula Power – scoring twice in this year’s Flight Centre Premier League U18s competition – and believes futsal is an ideal way for any player to improve.
“Futsal being a fast sport, it really develops people’s skills,” he explained.
“It keeps you fit and, overall, it’s fun. It’s the sort of game where you can bring a lot mates into it and you can bond very quickly.”
