World domination may not have been the goal when Byford Venoms youth coach, Pawan Rughoobur, began recruiting local kids to play the little-known sport.
But in a matter of only two years, the club has risen to prominence and is now looking to compete on the world stage at the World Futsal Championships in Spain.
Futsal, a version of indoor soccer, is not the first word that comes to mind when most Australians name their favourite sports.
But former player and Byford Venoms Youth Coach Pawan Rughoobur knew that, with his passion for the game, a local youth team could make it to the top-levels of competition.
“I used to watch the big teams and I always had this thing that I would make this happen and have them play against the big teams,” Coach Pawan said.
“Those clubs, they are big enough that they don’t need to find players, players find them.
“For me it was about going outside the box, finding players who don’t even know what futsal is, introduce them to it and then go.
“In futsal, you can’t hide your flaws, it’s a very high-intensity game, and it’s a bit like basketball in that you attack and defend as a whole formation, the whole team moves around the pitch together.
“Now we have grown – we started with one team but this year I have six youth teams.
“You have clubs who have been established for a long time and no one knew who we were, but now people know who we are, because the kids have proven themselves,” he said.
Since its establishment in October 2021, the team’s stunning season in the Junior State Futsal League saw them win 17 of 20 matches, suffering only one loss.
Further proof of their capabilities was delivered at the end of June, with a letter from Pro Futsal formally inviting the Under-9 team to travel to Spain in December to compete in the World Futsal Cup.
“Congratulations to Byford Venom for being selected and confirmed as the U9 team from Australia to be traveling for this exciting experience,” the letter reads.
Facing the world’s best, including heavyweights FC Barcelona and Santos, Coach Pawan says that just making the selection for the event is an achievement in itself.
“For the kids to go there and meet players who play in some of the best teams in the world, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” Pawan said.
“I feel that this Under 9 team, as an international team they would do really well.”
Working as a volunteer, Pawan has made sacrifices to coach the team, regularly forgoing hours of work at his business to make time for his coaching duties.
“People used to think I was crazy because I said I would make it happen.
“But it’s my heart and soul, and it’s the parents, they are always there to support.”
To help raise funds for travel expenses, parents of the club have set up a gofundme, which can be found by searching ‘futsal’ at gofundme.com
For more information visit facebook.com/byfordvenom
