Gisborne’s Elliott Smith shines as MVP at youth futsal tournament

Gisborne footballer Elliott Smith was named Most Valuable Player in her grade at the Palmerston North Marist Youth Futsal Tournament.

She captained Hawke’s Bay Futsal 15s girls' team and put in strong, confident and composed defensive displays. Intelligent passing was a feature of her game, and she scored a last-minute headed goal to secure points against rivals Havelock North.

Hawke’s Bay reached the final, where they met Wellington team Samba Futsal.

An opening five-minute salvo of four goals — three from huge deflections — took the game away from Hawke’s Bay, although they hit the post twice and forced a string of fine saves from the Samba goalkeeper on their way to a 5-0 loss.

Other Gisborne players to represent Hawke’s Bay Futsal at the tournament were Jay Houthuijzen in the 15s boys; Madison Smith, Rylee Barker and Cleo Brenchley in the 15s and 13s girls; and Phoebe Smith and Henry Morris in the 11s mixed.

Houthuijzen did well in his first tournament at this level, including scoring two important goals in the group stage.

The team performed strongly to make the 15s boys’ semifinals but lost to eventual winners Samba Futsal.

The 13s girls took third place overall — two early losses ending their chances of making the final.

Madison Smith, Brenchley and Barker were among the team’s top performers in the group stage. This was impressive, given they all played in games for the 15s team as well.

Smith and Barker each scored five goals in the group stage.

The 11s mixed put in good performances for little reward in the way of results, finishing fifth.

Phoebe Smith, the only girl in the team, and Morris, who scored seven goals, had solid tournaments.