Teenager Tyler Garner is still pinching himself after being named in the 2017 State Futsal League All-Stars. 16-year old Garner, a key member of Inglewood United’s table topping Under-18 side, last week became one of the youngest players to gain All-Stars selection following a stand-out season with Claremont Cambio Cumbre.
“It’s a huge honour to be selected in the All-Stars squad,” said Garner, who featured in Friday evening’s exhibition game at the State Futsal Centre. “I never expected to be selected at my age amongst the best players in Western Australia alongside the likes of (Inglewood United club mate) Victor Brauner. It was a great experience!”
Garner’s All-Stars selection came hot on the heels of his debut at the Series Futsal Australia. The exciting young midfielder scored twice in Melbourne for Claremont, who came home as national champions after defeating Hume FC in the final. “Playing against the best players in Australia was a big challenge for me,” he commented.
“We have four Futsalroo players in our squad – Chris Zebellos, Dean Lockhart, Robbie Maiorana and Jordan Guerreiro – so I’ve been lucky enough to learn from them while experiencing futsal at a national level. It was a great feeling to win (the nationals) with such a young squad and bring home a fourth straight title for the club.”
Playing at the nationals meant Garner missed the Under-18s recent home defeat of Mandurah City but he returned to duty in Sunday’s 4-0 demolition of Stirling Lions. That result, which came courtesy of goal from Kieran Paterson, Ben Pellazari, Curtis Jorgenson and Renee Alba, extends the teams unbeaten run to five games and keeps them at the top of the ladder.
“We have started the league well and we’re playing some good entertaining football,” Garner said. “This year we have a few new players who have bought an extra dimension to the squad players and that’s intensified the competition for spots on game day. Everyone has been working hard and the results are starting to show for our efforts.”
