Game on

The atmosphere during the ADF Futsal Federation Championships was electric from the opening whistle.

Shoes squeaked, bodies crashed and kicks cracked like gunshots as the teams went head to head at Randwick Barracks from June 21 to 24.

This championship marked the return of Defence futsal after more than a decade, with the last competition held in 2015.

The four-day tournament concluded with Army claiming both the women’s and men’s titles.

Men’s most valuable player, SPR Mitchell Young, played a key role in Army’s ability to control the tempo and break the final game open, combining patience with quick decision making under pressure.

He said Army focused on sitting back early to read Air Force’s approach before capitalising on errors and committing forward when opportunities emerged.

“We sat in, read their play and hit them on the counter,” SPR Mitchell Young said.

“When we got those half chances, we’d overcommit and take a gamble.”

Women’s most valuable player and one of Air Force’s defenders, LACW Sarah Birrer, said the speed of futsal demanded constant awareness and defensive discipline.

“Communication is key,” LACW Birrer said.

“If someone was dropping, we’d communicate that.”

She described her team as a “consistent, positive group of girls that pushed each other” and, despite the players having different experience levels, LACW Birrer said the group maintained an open approach to decision making.

“We made it an open forum for what everyone thought would work [and] did our best to fill in the gaps when needed.”