Saltires squad call-up delight Champions League for teen star Ross
Ross is jetting off with Saltires on their Champions League journey PYF Saltires jet off to begin their Futsal Champions League journey at the beginning of next week.
And youngest member of the squad, Ross Cameron, is honoured to be heading across to the Netherlands for the preliminary group stage games.
The Perth Academy student (16) has been playing the sport with the club since he was six. But never has he played on a stage so grand and that brings added excitement.
Saltires begin their campaign on Tuesday against London Helvecia of England before taking on hosts Hovocubo and Gibraltar’s Lynx FC.
“From what we know of these teams it is going to be really tough,” Ross said. “As a team we are going there to compete and represent the club, Perth and Scotland, to the best of our abilities.
“Just being invited into the team for this competition is a massive personal achievement, with anything else being a bonus.
“Preparations have been going well with the team training hard and playing lots of friendlies to maintain match sharpness.
“Following my call-up to the team I have been training and playing with the squad which I have really enjoyed and I am continually learning from.”
While Ross will make his debut at the event, others in the team have experience of the European stage.
Ross explained: “This is the fifth time that Perth Youth Futsal has qualified for European competition.
“Given that we are a charitable organisation this is a great achievement. As you would expect qualification for this competition is extremely tough.
“Having spoken with some of the senior players who have represented the club previously, they have warned that the level of futsal is unbelievably high.
“From a personal point of view being invited to be a part of the squad is amazing and I am determined to enjoy every minute of the experience.
“PYF Saltires are the current national champions and holders of the Scottish Futsal Cup which, given the quality of opposition in Scotland, is some achievement.
“The Saltires team contains technically gifted futsal players with real natural ability, some having the added bonus of having played at this level before.”
Bubbling below the surface of the main Saltires’ team are a number of youth teams with players developing all of the time to make the step up.
“PYF is a recognised and well respected futsal club throughout the UK run by very committed people and coaches who all volunteer their time to develop young players associated with the club,” Ross continued.
“The coaching and approach to futsal is first class with an emphasis on enjoyment.
“The club has an established player pathway from the youth set up to the senior team and part of this pathway includes younger players, like myself, training with the senior players on a regular basis as part of our development.
“Many of the current senior squad have graduated from the PYF Youth Academy.
“During my time with PYF I have been lucky enough to have played against visiting teams from Australia, played in various competitions within the UK and also travel to and play against teams in Barcelona, Spain.
“Futsal is a fantastic sport which encourages you to be creative.
“It also enhances your technical ability, decision making, ball retention and develops your confidence to play in tight spaces.”