LATE RALLY WINS IT FOR THE SHARKS

GREAT WHITE SHARKS 10
BIRMINGHAM UNITED B 8
ALL through tonight's futsal game the Sharks were either level or a goal behind - that was until the last six minutes when they scored twice to clinch a thrilling win!
It was an exciting game to say the least!
Let Captain and goalkeeper Salma tell you about it...
"Class set-ups by Nazma and Camilla, solid defence by Nahilla, dream goal by Farzana and the finishing touches by Faeeza.
"We know something about everything, but everything about something - which is performing. So Proud!"
What else can you say? A league win for the Sharks and a great team performance - keep it up superstars!
RESULTS - SEASON TWO
Birmingham United (LGE) W 6-4
Stingers (FRIENDLY) D 4-4
Birmingham United (F) L 6-8
Fresh of the Fold (LGE) L 4-7
Stingers (LGE) W 8-1
Reedswood (LGE) L 0-7
Stingers B (LGE) D 6-6
Stingers A (F) L 3-8
Fresh of the Fold (LGE) L 4-11
Stingers B (F) L 3-4
Anonymous FC (F) W 20-10
Birmingham United B (LGE) 10-8

FUTSAL MARATHON NOW CAPTURED ON FILM

THE March 10, 10-hour non-stop futsal marathon at the Birmingham International Futsal Arena was an outstanding success with well over £1,000 raised for the National Autistic Society.
Now the happy event is available on a DVD produced by Tony Mottram Video and Photography from North Wales.
If you want to relive Aisha's goal, the destruction of the wall speaker, Charlie Charmer's unforgettable goalkeeping display or Nadia's Ronaldo-esque stepovers, this is the DVD for you :)
For more details access Tony's website at tonymottramphotography.co.uk or e-mail him at tmp1962@hotmail.com or call him on 07900 185083.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

THE Great White Sharks played two friendlies last week.
They lost 4-3 to Stingers B in the first match, but the following game brought much better fortune as the Sharks beat Anonymous FC 20-10.
Hopefully this form can now be carried into the league this week.


RESULTS - SEASON TWO
Birmingham United (LGE) W 6-4
Stingers (FRIENDLY) D 4-4
Birmingham United (F) L 6-8
Fresh of the Fold (LGE) L 4-7
Stingers (LGE) W 8-1
Reedswood (LGE) L 0-7
Stingers B (LGE) D 6-6
Stingers A (F) L 3-8
Fresh of the Fold (LGE) L 4-11
Stingers B (F) L 3-4
Anonymous FC (F) W 20-10

FUTSAL RADIO STARS!

BBC Radio West Midlands last night interviewed four of the 24 players who took part in the 10-hour non-stop futsal marathon at Birmingham International Futsal Arena on March 10.
Arshia Riaz chatted to the Sharks very own Salma Bi, Gemma Smith from the Futsal Arena and players Jemma Connor-Iommi and Charlotte Caffrey (Charlie Charmer) on the Midlands Masala show.
The girls were asked about the event itself and also to explain a little more about the sport of futsal.
They were all fantastic, with Salma proving she is now an old hand at interviews with her velvet tones.
It was fitting Gemma was also involved as she part-organised the event, also Jemma and Charlie as they were the two best players on the day.
Listen to the brilliant  interview via the link below and fast forward to 2 hours 12 minutes :)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/p00pqd8h

BIRMINGHAM MAIL TURNS THE TABLES!

SATURDAY'S Birmingham Mail re-printed the article on the non-stop futsal marathon.
This time it was perfect. They used two photos and all the words we originally sent them.
Thanks so much Birmingham Mail.

MORE PRESS TO COME...

ZAKIA from The Asian Today has contacted me to say she will use something on the weekend futsal marathon in the next edition.
This is pleasing news and we are sure the paper will print the right information.

GOOD PRESS COVERAGE, BUT......

IT was good to see a report and picture on the weekend futsal marathon in this week's Birmingham Mail, but disappointing to see the newspaper printed wrong basic information.
I clearly stated in the report I sent them that the Blues team won 167-100 and that Gemma Smith was captain of the Blues and Salma Bi the Reds. What appeared was totally different and as a result I wrote to the paper today to complain.
Mistakes like this come back on me as the publicity officer for Salma. It is hurtful to one's professional pride to see this type of inaccuracy when it is not my fault.
This is what I wrote to the newspaper...
Dear Sir/Madam

Thank you for publishing the report and picture from the futsal marathon in the Birmingham Mail.

I was disappointed, however, that wrong information was published.

I clearly stated in my press release that the Blues won 167-100, yet it was published that the Reds won.

I also clearly stated that Salma Bi captained the Reds and Gemma Smith captained the Blues - not the other way around as was published.

Basic errors like this leave me open to ridicule as the writer of the original article and while this ridicule is good-natured and not taken in bad spirit by myself, it still leaves me with a feeling of disappointment.

I am not one to complain generally and understand as well as anyone that mistakes can happen in our business, but I do feel on this occasion I am right to say something.

Best wishes and thanks for your co-operation

Dave Jones

HARD GAMES - ENCOURAGING SIGNS

STINGERS A 8 GREAT WHITE SHARKS 3 (Nazma 2, Farzana)
GREAT WHITE SHARKS 4 (Camilla 2, Nazma 2) FRESH OF THE FOLD 11


TONIGHT'S results did not go the Sharks' way but their performances still offered some encouragement.
Their first game was a friendly against Stingers A, a team from a higher league.
In the first half GWS did well, holding their opponents to 3-3 with goals from Nazma (2) and Farzana, but in the second half Stingers raised their game and it ended 8-3.
Against Fresh of the Fold, the Sharks were carrying some injuries and this made it difficult for them to find any rhythm and score goals.
Nonetheless, GWS did manage four goals, strikers Camilla and Nazma scoring two each.
Captain Salma and Aisha were back playing just four days after the 10-hour non-stop futsal marathon so that should be taken into account.
Salma said: "They were a tough two games, but we are still fighting and believing."


RESULTS - SEASON TWO
Birmingham United (LGE) W 6-4
Stingers (FRIENDLY) D 4-4
Birmingham United (F) L 6-8
Fresh of the Fold (LGE) L 4-7
Stingers (LGE) W 8-1
Reedswood (LGE) L 0-7
Stingers B (LGE) 6-6
Stingers A (F) 3-8
Fresh of the Fold (LGE) 4-11

OVER 2,000 HITS!!!

THE Great White Sharks blog has now scored over 2,000 hits!
We've been going for less than 3 months so we reckon this is a pretty good milestone to reach.
There has been an enormous amount of hits over the past few days since the non-stop futsal marathon story was featured, which is just fantastic.
Thanks so much for your support and don't ever forget this is YOUR blog. I am just the guardian of it, please send me your contributions to edinews96@aol.com

FUTSAL HEROES TAKE A BOW!

HERE are the 24 heroes who completed Saturday's 10-hour non-stop futsal marathon...

TEAM BLUE:

GEMMA SMITH

JEMMA CONNOR IOMMI

CHERIE DABBS

LEILA HOPKINS

NATALIE KELLY

EMMA LAMBOURNE

HANNAH GARRAT-KIRK

KESHIA DENNY

KATIE O'KELLY

SAIRA MARIA

SARA ALI

TORS COLEY.

 

TEAM RED

SALMA BI

CHANTEL HUNTER

CHARLOTTE CAFFREY

AISHA BI

ANIA MACHOWIECKA

SOPHIE MOLYNEUX

ZOYA SALEH

NICKY PRESTON

KEELEY LOWE

NADIA BACCIOCHI

HAYLEY SHADDICK

CLAIRE WELLES

WELL DONE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU

FUTSAL MARATHON: PLAYER OF THE DAY - CHARLIE CHARMER

CHARLIE CHARMER produced an amazing goalkeeping performance for the Reds.
Here she is in action about to make another top class save.

FUTSAL MARATHON IS AN AMAZING SUCCESS

OVER £1,000 was raised for a deserving cause from a 10-hour non-stop futsal marathon involving 24 women who united in the name of sport and charity.

The Birmingham International Futsal Arena was the venue for the March 10 event staged in honour of the National Autistic Society.

Two teams - Salma Bi's Reds and Gemma Smith's Blues - competed between 9am and 7pm and produced some brilliant futsal full of skill, endeavour, determination and tremendous sportsmanship.

The final outcome was Blues 167 Reds 100 but the score was far less important than the mission statement of the day - raising money for a wonderful charity and also promoting futsal and women's sport.

Everyone played their part, and let's not forget either the referees who provided their services throughout the day. Also, all those who helped provide the most wonderful food and refreshments, and also those who supported the event and made plenty of noise, keeping the girls going.

Just a mention of a few stand-out performers.

Player of the day for me was CHARLOTTE CAFFREY (Charlie Charmer) who was simply outstanding in goal for the Reds. I lost count of the number of times Charlie was in a one-on-one situation with a Blues forward bearing down on goal, yet she produced endless brave stops. I would imagine she had a few bruises afterwards - what a hero.

For the Blues, I was amazed by the endless energy and skills produced by JEMMA CONNOR--IOMMI, a lady who plays futsal at a very high level and played with a smile on her face throughout and netted numerous goals.

And what about the youngsters!

I was enthralled by NADIA BACCIOCHI, a young talent who plays for Sutton United. She amazed me with her dragbacks, stepovers and she scored some fantastic goals.

ANYA MACHOWIECKA travelled all the way from Liverpool to take part, having also featured in a men's futsal record marathon.

Anya proved a classy player, scoring numerous goals - one to watch!

AISHA BI also netted her first hat-trick and was very impressive the way she worked for the team.

LEILA HOPKINS was a "partner in crime" for Jemma, scoring loads of goals and forming a great striking partnership for the Blues.

And GEMMA SMITH looked every inch a footballer. Composed on the ball, conserving energy brilliantly and reminded me of Glenn Hoddle the way she sprayed passes around, an elegant player.

These are just a handful of stand-out players. There were so many others whose names I did not know but totally played their part.

I can only congratulate SALMA BI and GEMMA SMITH for the brilliant way they organised the day. Personally I think the event deserved more support from the public, maybe next time that side of things will be better.

The Futsal Arena is a great venue, spacious and a top facility. Wish we had more places like this in Wales.

To sum it up, the futsal marathon was a tremendous success. We've got loads of pictures and are working on a DVD to commemorate the event. This will soon be available.

Thank you for a fantastic welcome. Before I travelled to Birmingham on Saturday morning I had one hero - Salma. Now I have 24. Take a bow each and every one of you.

SHARKS SHOW THEIR TEETH - BUT THERE'S A STING IN THE TAIL

GREAT WHITE SHARKS 6 (Nazma 4, Camilla, Faeza)
STINGERS B 6
GREAT White Sharks are usually the masters of the comeback - but tonight they were the victims of a revival from opponents Stingers B.
Sharks were winning 4-1 but got too comfortable and let the Bees deliver the big Sting.
In the end it finished 6-6 and it was another great night for Sharks forward Nazma as she scored four goals on her return after missing last week's game through illness.
Strike partner Camilla got one and new player Faeza also found the net with the help of Farzana's fine kick off the line.
Nahilla also defended well, while captain Salma felt she could have done a little better on the night.
A draw is not a loss, but perhaps the Sharks will feel they should have won this game.
Nonetheless, an exciting game and plenty of goals.


RESULTS - SEASON TWO
Birmingham United (LGE) W 6-4
Stingers (FRIENDLY) D 4-4
Birmingham United (F) L 6-8
Fresh of the Fold (LGE) L 4-7
Stingers (LGE) W 8-1
Reedswood (LGE) L 0-7
Stingers B (LGE) 6-6

A TOUGH NIGHT'S FUTSAL

GREAT White Sharks lost 7-0 to leaders Reedswood in their latest outing in the Birmingham Women's Futsal League.
Sharks were without free-scoring forward Nazma, who was poorly, and in the second half captain Salma came out of goal to try to give the team some impetus.
It was a very tough game against physical opponents and the final score was emphatic, but Sharks never gave up and gave it all they had.
Sometimes the biggest lessons are learned in adversity. When you lose it does not always have to be seen as a negative, it can also be a positive as it brings home where you are at and how you need to be to improve.
Sharks always play with dedication and enthusiasm and they have already shown this season what a formidable team they can be.
Not every opponent from here on will be as difficult as Reedswood.
Onward and upward....