Illawarra trio's French connection

FUTSAL 

Three Illawarra players have been selected for the World Futsal Championships in France next month.

Koby Banks, Nathan Whalan and Mitchell Forrest will all don the green and gold for the tournament, playing in a division for competitors with an intellectual disability.

The trio was selected after strong performances for the NSW Futsal team back in October, before being selected for an initial train-on squad in January.

They then received the call-up to play in the five-a-side international tournament, played on a smaller pitch than regular football and held indoors.

Banks, Whalan and Forrest currently play for the Disability Trust's White Knights FC side, which is the state and national champions for people with a disability.

"They're really excited about it - they obviously get to travel overseas and represent their country, which is a big opportunity for them," Disability Trust manager Ryan Kiddle said.

"The competition is basically for people with an intellectual disability and it's all run by an agency which organises the logistics of it and everything else."

Juggling the representative commitments with their regular duties for White Knights, the trio has been very busy training most afternoons every week.

The three players also hold regular jobs in the Illawarra.

"They've got training camps in Canberra and up in Sydney, on top of their weekly training with us, so it definitely keeps them busy," Kiddle said.

"The Disability Trust focuses on the grass roots to start with and then we've been fortunate enough to come on board with Futsal NSW and being able to play in state and national championships.

"There's been some great success there already."

Banks, Whalan and Forrest will spend two weeks abroad as part of the trip.

The group organised a fund-raising barbecue at Bellambi last weekend, but are still open to donations ahead of their departure next month.

Those interested in donating towards the trip can contact Ryan Kiddle on 4255 8014.