By Warren Olson
The culmination of several weeks of intense competition in the Ford Futsal SuperLeagues reaches the business end this weekend at the Bruce Pulman Arena in Takanini, Auckland.
The eight men’s and eight women’s teams will be battling for places in the play-offs, with 32 games to be played over the two days.
Once finalised, it will be a case of 1 v 4 and 2 v 3 on the respective ladders for the finals which are being delayed till the Saturday of Anzac weekend (a futsal friendly series in China popping up between) to determine the finalists and ultimate winners.
In the first National Series to involve all 16 teams, in Wellington a fortnight ago, the women’s competition became clearer with still unbeaten Capital clear on top and Auckland’s representatives, Papakura City/NRF looking comfortable in second.
Canterbury United Pride, Waikato Rapids and Hawke’s Bay are fighting for the remaining two spots. They will also hope to finish third to avoid a semi-final against a rampant Capital.
An added incentive for the women is the imminent selection of the Futsal Ferns squad for the FIFA Futsal World Cup in the Philippines at the end of the year.
While we have a number of top-class women playing futsal internationally, the depth of talent witnessed in the SuperLeague shows there will be strong local competition for squad places.
A positive for women’s futsal going forward is that most teams have a mix of promising youngsters and established players.
Lucy Tawharu-Senf is part of the young Bay of Plenty side which has notched its first win.
Waikato’s Mia Humphrey, Palmerston North’s Isabella Yarwood and the Capital pair of Greer Wilson and Molly Judd are just some of the young teens who shape as possible future Futsal Ferns.
Women’s Golden Boot
13 — Sarah Alder (Capital Futsal), Britney-Lee Nicholson (Canterbury United Pride)
12 — Natalie Olson (Capital Futsal)
11 — Libby Boobyer (Capital Futsal)
10 — Lilly Dowsing (Hawke’s Bay)
The men’s competition is similarly dominated by one side, the Canterbury United Dragons.
Apart from Bay of Plenty who have suffered a few narrow defeats, any of the remaining teams can make the play-offs with a strong weekend.
Palmerston North Marist certainly deserve a mention, despite a severely depleted side with nearly half the squad joining captain Adam Cowan (knee) and Zac Farmer (broken toe) in the medic’s room they climbed to second place.
The speed and intensity of the games at this level coupled with unforgiving wooden floors mean they were not the only side to suffer injuries and it’s clear that in both sides of the league squad depth is going to play an important part in determining the ultimate winners.
Men’s Golden Boot
12 — Gavin Hoy (Palmerston North Marist)
9 — Isa Prins (Palmerston North Marist)
8 — Austyn Beales (Palmerston North Marist), Ben Lapslie (Canterbury United Dragons)
7 — Oban Hawkins (Auckland City/NRF)
From National Series 1
Two minutes of the best goals from the first National Series, in Wellington:
Fixtures
Game to be played on Saturday March 29, 2025
Women’s Ford Futsal SuperLeague
National Series 2
Hawke’s Bay v Canterbury United Pride
Bruce Pulman Arena, Takanini, Auckland, 11.45am
Papakura City / NRF v Southern United
Bruce Pulman Arena, Takanini, Auckland, 11.45am
Waikato Rapids v Palmerston North Marist
Bruce Pulman Arena, Takanini, Auckland, 1.30pm
Bay of Plenty Surge v Capital Futsal
Bruce Pulman Arena, Takanini, Auckland, 1.30pm
Hawke’s Bay v Southern United
Bruce Pulman Arena, Takanini, Auckland, 5pm
Papakura City / NRF v Palmerston North Marist
Bruce Pulman Arena, Takanini, Auckland, 5pm
Waikato Rapids v Capital Futsal
Bruce Pulman Arena, Takanini, Auckland, 5pm
Bay of Plenty Surge v Canterbury United Pride
Bruce Pulman Arena, Takanini, Auckland, 6.45pm
Men’s Ford Futsal SuperLeague
National Series 2
Hawke’s Bay v Canterbury United Dragons
Bruce Pulman Arena, Takanini, Auckland, 10am
Auckland City / NRF v Southern United
Bruce Pulman Arena, Takanini, Auckland, 10am
Waikato Rapids v Palmerston North Marist
Bruce Pulman Arena, Takanini, Auckland, 10am
Bay of Plenty Surge v Capital Futsal
Bruce Pulman Arena, Takanini, Auckland, 11.45am
Hawke’s Bay v Southern United
Bruce Pulman Arena, Takanini, Auckland, 1.30pm
Auckland City / NRF v Palmerston North Marist
Bruce Pulman Arena, Takanini, Auckland, 3.15pm
Waikato Rapids v Capital Futsal
Bruce Pulman Arena, Takanini, Auckland, 3.15pm
Bay of Plenty Surge v Canterbury United Dragons
Bruce Pulman Arena, Takanini, Auckland, 3.15pm
Games to be played on Sunday March 30, 2025
Women’s Ford Futsal SuperLeague
National Series 2
Waikato Rapids v Southern United
Bruce Pulman Arena, Takanini, Auckland, 9.45am
Bay of Plenty Surge v Palmerston North Marist
Bruce Pulman Arena, Takanini, Auckland, 9.45am
Hawke’s Bay v Capital Futsal
Bruce Pulman Arena, Takanini, Auckland, 11.30am
Papakura City / NRF v Canterbury United Pride
Bruce Pulman Arena, Takanini, Auckland, 11.30am
Waikato Rapids v Canterbury United Pride
Bruce Pulman Arena, Takanini, Auckland, 3pm
Bay of Plenty Surge v Southern United
Bruce Pulman Arena, Takanini, Auckland, 3pm
Hawke’s Bay v Palmerston North Marist
Bruce Pulman Arena, Takanini, Auckland, 3pm
Papakura City / NRF v Capital Futsal
Bruce Pulman Arena, Takanini, Auckland, 4.45pm
Men’s Ford Futsal SuperLeague
National Series 2
Waikato Rapids v Canterbury United Dragons
Bruce Pulman Arena, Takanini, Auckland, 8am
Bay of Plenty Surge v Southern United
Bruce Pulman Arena, Takanini, Auckland, 8am
Hawke’s Bay v Palmerston North Marist
Bruce Pulman Arena, Takanini, Auckland, 8am
Auckland City / NRF v Capital Futsal
Bruce Pulman Arena, Takanini, Auckland, 9.45am
Waikato Rapids v Southern United
Bruce Pulman Arena, Takanini, Auckland, 11.30am
Bay of Plenty Surge v Palmerston North Marist
Bruce Pulman Arena, Takanini, Auckland, 1.15pm
Hawke’s Bay v Capital Futsal
Bruce Pulman Arena, Takanini, Auckland, 1.15pm
Auckland City / NRF v Canterbury United Dragons
Bruce Pulman Arena, Takanini, Auckland, 1.15pm
Warren Olson
Warren Olson is a Wellington-based enthusiast for and long-time follower of women’s football.
Additional editing by Craig Stephen
This story was first published on March 28, 2025.
