Twelve months ago if you had told Dom Hallas, Tom Day and their fellow Futsal players that they would currently be in the process of raising funds for a trip to Malaga, to compete in the European Universities’ Championships against some of the top sporting institutions in the continent, they would scarcely be able to believe you.
As the side embarked upon their pre-season training camp, a sense of optimism was shared that they could enjoy a successful campaign, but the prospects of qualifying for such a prestigious tournament this summer was at best a distant dream. Yet the dream has become a reality, as a series of outstanding performances have elevated the side to the pinnacle of the sport at university level, as they have embarked upon a momentous journey over the course of the year, a journey that is yet to reach its end.
Tom Day’s side may have suffered an agonising defeat in the semi-final of the National Championships against Brighton 1sts, where they were only six seconds away from victory, but that does not detract from their magnificent achievements. As a sporting institution, York has a modest reputation at best, and it is a credit to everyone involved that the side have been capable of competing with sporting university heavyweights such as Loughborough, Durham and Bath.
Such institutions possess better facilities, bigger budgets and internationally renowned sportsmen; yet York have matched them through determination, spirit and dedication to their sport. For that the side deserve all the applause and credit they receive, as over the past year they have truly done their university proud.
With essay deadlines looming and exams hovering ominously, the attempts of the Futsal club to raise the necessary funds to continue their adventure may seem irrelevant to most of you, who have never watched, played or shown any interest in the sport.You may feel why should I bother handing over the last pennies of my student loan to a club, who are jetting off to sunnier climes on what on the surface may seem like a holiday with a bit of sport involved.
Well all I can say is that such preconceptions are misplaced and not vindicated; it may seem like a waste of your money in handing cash to people you’ve never met, but the value of their trip is much greater than it initially seems. By trekking to Malaga the side are representing their institution at the highest echelon of university sport, and taking the University onto a global stage. All of the hard work of the players, the coaching and the sporting staff at the University will be on show when the group show off their skills in sunny Spain. They’re not only representing themselves, they’re playing on behalf of me, you and everyone else involved with this institution.
By representing York on the continent, the side are raising the profile of sport at the University, and this will in turn help to boost the reputation of the University in the future. This may only be a small step to establishing York as a major sporting institution, but it undoubtedly signifies progress, and combined with the recent construction of fantastic new facilities sends the right message out for the future. So when someone asks you if you’ll donate a pound or two to this cause, and you initially turn your nose up in disgust, then think again, look at the deeper value of your donation, and help the side continue their remarkable journey this year.