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menu2023 Rising Stars Review
NFPL Rising Stars Showcase 2023
The National Futsal Premier League hosted its inaugural Rising Stars showcase on February 19th, 2023. Youth futsal players competed in a round-robin style full-day event, with two educational sessions to assist them on their journey forward in life and soccer led by NFPL star Cole Russell of Athlete Mental Game Coaching and Grand Rapids OLé.
When asked about how he thought the event went, NFPL Commissioner Drew Ducker was incredibly pleased and proud of the teams, players, and league for starting the Rising Stars Division in this way.
"The NFPL Rising Stars event was a huge success. We are excited about the rising talent in the NFPL youth academies. Some are already getting time with the Men's teams as well. Teams played 3 games throughout the day and participated in 2 mini seminars with Cole Russell about the college/pro pathway and the mental side of the game. We are hoping to expand the NFPL Rising Stars next year and are excited to see where it will go."
- Drew Ducker, NFPL Commissioner
In the future, the NFPL and club owners hope to see the Rising Stars division progress from a one-day events to a league more similar to the current format for the Men's and Women's divisions.
Another crucial part in bringing the Rising Stars together was Fabian Rodriguez, current head coach of the Grand Rapids OLé men's and women's futsal teams. Rodriguez also expressed his happiness about the event and hopes for a big future with the NFPL Rising Stars.
"The first NFPL Rising Stars event is in the books and it was the start of something special. The boys don't normally get the opportunity to play on the regulation size court with full FIFA rules and they loved it. The college prep and recruitment piece by Cole Russell was important and very interesting. I'm looking forward to the growth and future of the program."
- Fabian Rodriguez, Coach, Grand Rapids OLé
Results:
- Futsal Factory Academy U19 5 - 10 Grand Rapids OLé U19
- Columbus Futsal U19 11 - 7 Futsal Indy U19
- Columbus Futsal U19 3 - 8 Futsal Factory Academy U19
- Futsal Factory Academy U19 6 - 2 Futsal Indy U19
- Grand Rapids OLé U19 10 - 1 Columbus Futsal U19
- Grand Rapids OLé U19 15 - 4 Futsal Indy U19
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