Read more about their exciting day at the championships and how they overcame the odds to bring home Silver.

The futsal team had a very disjointed build-up this year - with the National Champs sadly cancelled due to COVID - and a lull while waiting to hear if Tasman Champs would go ahead. Unfortunately, the team then lost their Year 13s for the Tasman Champs (due to other commitments) - so fielded a slightly younger side in the “Senior Division”.

First up they faced Nelson College Futsal Ferns. Both sides came out firing, but Nelson drew first blood, with a goal in the first 5 minutes. With one minute to spare in the first half, Katie Pugh evened the score. Jaimie Elrick followed suit in the second half, popping one in the back of the net immediately after half time, but Nelson soon equalised to keep the game neck and neck. Maddy Rowe knocked home one final goal for the final say - and a full-time result of 3-2 to MGC.

In the second game they faced Nayland College - and the teams battled evenly until halfway through the first half when Katie Pugh put away a tidy goal. Nayland retaliated with 2 quick-fire goals, but Katie returned fire with a second goal to take them to the break level at 2-2. In the second half Nayland came out strong and, despite newcomer goalkeeper Aika Mojzisek making some courageous saves, Nayland snuck 2 further goals in for a handy lead. Undaunted MGC played a sterling last half of the half, clawing back a further 2 goals from the boot of Katie Pugh, and 1 apiece from Jaimie Elrick and Jaimee Randall to clinch the win 6-4 to MGC.

The third pool game saw Jaimie Elrick slot away two quick goals before Nelson College SI gathered themselves - but they regrouped and scored at the other end to make it 2-1 barely minutes into the half. Katie Pugh added to the MGC tally - first with a great run through the court, and then again (courtesy of a sharp tackle and smart through-ball from Leni Manson) to take them 4-1 up at half-time. The second half saw MGC dominate again with some beautiful teamwork from the whole squad, culminating in goals for Jaimie Elrick (2), Ruby Quinn (1) and Jaimee Randall (1). It wasn’t all plain sailing though, with Nelson securing 2 comeback goals to make it 8-3. The blistering pace continued with a further 2 goals from Katie Pugh, and another for Nelson, to leave MGC victorious - 10-4.

In the final MGC faced off against Waimea. Leni Manson was first up in the scoring here, before Waimea struck back with 2 strong goals. It was such a tightly contested game, with both teams putting their best foot forward. It went to the break 2-1 Waimea’s way.

After halftime Waimea managed to squeeze another 2 shots past MGC to edge a bit further ahead when both mid-court stars Leni Manson and Maddy Rowe were temporarily on the sub bench at the same time. The full-time whistle blew to a 4-1 scoreline, seeing Waimea become the 2022 Tasman Champions. The 4-1 performance was particularly notable for MGC as Waimea had beaten all other opposition in double-digit defeats, and MGC looked threatening the whole way - all the more impressive given the younger MGC squad.

Golden boot for MGC went to Katie Pugh with her haul of 9 goals.

Enormous thanks to coach Marcello Pinheiro and managers Bronwen Laird & Jelena Manson (and to parent helper, Robyn Rowe). The team would also like to give a shout-out to Blenheim Toyota for the use of the van to get to tournament in Nelson!