The Solomon Islands National FUTSAL Team dropped into Blacktown Leisure Centre, Stanhope for a training and recovery session last week.

The team was in Australia preparing for the World Cup Qualifier in Fiji in mid June, where they will stand to qualify against New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and favorites, Vanuatu.

The teams visit to Blacktown Leisure Centre, Stanhope included a mix of serious training and lots of fun in the waves.

The visit commenced with a workout session in the gym on the treadmills - which was a new experience, as not one of the team had ever worked out on one before. After an anxious few moments the players were up and running and racking up the kilometres.

This was followed by a practice FUTSAL game in the Centre's stadium, that was played at times like the World Cup was at stake! After the match, it was time to cool down and hit the waves in Western Sydney's only wave pool. The waves were certainly a more familiar experience to the visitors - minus the sand and blazing sun.

The team while in Australia also participated in a grueling training regime designed to put them at their peak for the World Cup qualifier. Training twice a day and playing two 'full speed' FUTSAL matches with Dural and the Sydney FUTSAL team - Sydney Magic.

FUTSAL is a cut-down version of soccer generally played indoors and with five players to a side and is the only "official form of indoor soccer" as approved by FIFA - Federation Internationale Football Association.

Blacktown Leisure Centre, Stanhope is open 6.00am to 9.00pm weekdays, 8.00am to 5.00pm weekends and most public holidays. For further information on any of the Centre's programs and activities please call 9421 2600.