Another futsal season has come to an end and while disrupted by School camps, withdrawals and sickness, most teams would consider it a successful one.

With 14 teams playing, we were well represented in the Dunedin Schools’ competition and it highlights the present love for this game in our city.

On finals night, several our teams were playing off at the pointy-end of their respective divisions. In the juniors we had our Year 9 and Year 10 Blue teams playing in the Division 1 final, in Division 2 the Year 9 and Year 10 White teams were playing off for 3rd and 4th, and in Division 3 the Year 9 Gold team were also finalists. In the Division 1 final, the Year 10s prevailed over the energetic Year 9s (4-nil). In Division 2 the Year 9 White team upset their elders in what was a close game. In the Division 3 final, the Year 9 Golds recruited some Year 9 Blue players to cover missing personnel which ended in a default loss. Despite winning the game 5-1 over Taieri College they finished 2nd. The other teams in divisions 3 and 4 finished mid-table, a credit given their disrupted seasons.

The senior team has made significant improvements on last season, and under the leadership of Victor Pekkari and Angus Brett, were deserving top qualifiers for the Division 1 final. Their opposition though were fresh off playing at the NZSS Futsal Championships and had been stiff opponents in round-robin play. Bayfield took an early advantage with two goals in the first half with Otago Boys’ scrambling to stay in the game. The second half saw our determination rewarded with two quick goals. With a quarter of the game remaining, we were tied-up, 2-2. As the minutes ticked down, and knowing a draw would secure the win, the team conceded several fouls in our back third. In the end it proved costly as Bayfield snuck a late winner from a free kick just before the full-time whistle.

The other highlight on the night was the Senior Gold team. Perennial wooden-spooners the team had secured some wins during the season to find themselves playing off for 3rd and 4th. The result was as strong as Pablo Paulsen’s finishes, with the team taking 3rd! They are a team that epitomises the School’s values, playing every week with respect for themselves and their opposition, showing perseverance and courage to bounce back and to learn from their losses and always honouring each other’s efforts.

Thanks to the many parents who supported their sons on the side-line and helped with substitutions.