Experience on Oscar's side

Having already played in the New Zealand Football National Youth Futsal Championships (NYFC) U-16 boys category, Oscar Yee believes this will be very beneficial when he steps on the court in Wellington next week.

2017 was the first year Yee represented Auckland in Futsal, turning out for the U-15 side where he went on to be named Most Valuable Player of the Tournament. In 2018 the then 15-year old, was named Captain of the U-16's.

"It is less about the nerves now and more about handling the pressure to achieve success," the 16-year old said.

"As Captain you get to know the players' strengths and weaknesses really well and having played the other teams before you get to match up their weaknesses with your strengths. It's a challenge, but also a lot of fun."

Yee's passion for the five-a-side game is not just as a player. The Year 12 ACG Parnell College student also referees and gives back to his school through coaching. "I enjoy coaching at school because the players are very interactive and filled with energy which makes them fun to coach and easier to develop as players as they are eager to learn. "It also gives me a 360 degree experience as I play, ref and now coach Futsal allowing me to see the game from all points of view which helps develop my knowledge of the game."

The College's Futsal Programme is this year lead by Ouadhah Ragued, a former New Zealand Futsal representative and one of the countries top Futsal coaches meaning Yee is in a perfect position to build up his coaching knowledge.

"Ouadhah is an excellent coach and I've learnt a lot from him already such as knowing when to have fun and when to be serious and how to keep the players engaged. "As this is my first time coaching Futsal, he has set a really good example for me to follow."

His focus will solely be on playing next week however with the NYFC taking place from July 12 - 14. "It is a huge privilege being able to play for Auckland and represent them at a National Tournament," Yee said.

The NYFC take place at the ASB Sports Centre in Wellington

Story provided by ACG Parnell College.

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