LIHUE — The players came from all over the island — from the North Shore to the Westside — to create the Kauai Futsal 10 and under, and 12 and under teams that represented the Garden Island at the Eighth annual Hawaii Futsal Championships on the Big Island.
Both teams finished the tournament undefeated, and returned home as the 2019 Hawaii Futsal State Champions for their respective divisions.
Both Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami, and the Kauai County Council represented by Council Chair Arryl Kaneshiro and councilmembers Felicia Cowden and Kipukai Kuali‘i took time out the represent the people of Kauai in congratulating the teams and their coaches for the outstanding play at the tournament that included neighbor island teams.
The Kauai teams included players from around the island.
Kawakami thanked the parents and coaches for their investment in the youth who learn priceless life lessons through the involvement with sports such as futsal.
Youth futsal continues to grow in popularity in Hawaii, and the competition this year proved fierce, said one of the team’s coaches.
Futsal is considered to be a smaller version of soccer, involving five players to a side on a basketball-style court. The result is the ball moves very quickly in the smaller playing area, forcing players to participate, make decisions quickly, and be creative.
Players on the 10 under team include Laysa Turner, Ezra Fonseca, Ryder Faye, Noa Geer, Kobe Claussen, Zion Labanon, and Jason Matie.
The 12 and under team includes Coral Turner, Bear Miller, Keira Caoagas, Kaikeaokalani Potts, Moises Omar Perez, Zaimana Labanon, Kamakanaokalai Potts, and Haven Lathrop.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
