Sports-mad Jimmy Beck of North Woodend is just 11 years old but he’s already an Australian sporting representative.
He’s also an international champion because the Australian Gold 11 Boys Team has just taken out the championships of the futsal series in the Pacific Rim Cup in Hawaii.
Back home Jimmy plays for the Pink Unicorns as part of the Macedon Ranges Futsal Association competition.
His rise to international competition began last September when he was selected to play for Victoria in Brisbane. He was then selected to play at the Nationals in Sydney in January this year and impressed the selectors so much he received the offer in March to represent Australia.
The only other Victorian boy on the team is Lincoln Chetcuti from Ballarat.
Jimmy has been playing futsal for four years and while it is by far his favourite sport, it isn’t his only sporting interest.
He plays netball for Kyneton Netball Club, soccer for Gisborne, tennis in Woodend and loves athletics, running being a particular favourite.
But nothing comes close to his love of futsal, says his mum Joann.
“He started futsal with a group of his best friends and still plays in the same team,” Joann says.
“It has been fantastic for meeting friends and travelling around Victoria to tournaments and training.
“It is a fast game and very popular in the Macedon Ranges and is growing rapidly as it runs all year round and is played indoors, which is great during the local winter!”
During the 12 days he is away, Jimmy and his teammates have played a number of ‘friendly’ matches, taken part in training each day, enjoyed the sights of Hawaii and a very special honour too…The team has been asked to march in the annual parade commemorating the attack on Pearl Harbour – a huge honour that will no doubt add to their excitement of being international champions.
