Rising stars and Whitsunday residents Max O’Keefe, Reef Peel, Freddie Hazleton, and Corey Stroud recently represented Australia on behalf of the Australian Futsal Association on a two-week tour of the UK, returning just last week.
The boys were selected to represent their country in an action-packed tour of the UK on the back of their performance for Northern Queensland at the Australian Futsal Association (AFA) National Schools Futsal Championships in Brisbane last year.
Representing Australia U14 Boys the Whitsunday’s youngsters had the experience of a lifetime as they played competitive Futsal games in Scotland, England, and Wales.
The tour highlights included – competing in the Scossie Cup in Edinburgh, where Australian black team (featured) made it to the semi-finals, playing games against very strong sports academy teams in Peterborough and winning the Roy Miller Cup in Wrexham (Wales).
As well as all the tournaments and games the boys also experienced a range of training sessions with different overseas coaches, they watched live professional Football games (Scottish Premier League and English Championship League), they toured the home grounds of Manchester United and Liverpool FC and visited the sights of London.
The boys will once again take to the court with their school team from St Catherine’s Catholic College when they represent Northern Queensland in the AFA National Schools Championships 2023 at the Nissan Arena in Brisbane.
Contributed with thanks to Joscelyn O’Keefe
Corey Stroud with the Australian Yellow
Max O’Keefe, Reef Peel and Freddie Hazleton with Australia Black. Photos supplied
