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Community & Business

21 September, 2021

Futsal club stalwart leaves club in good hands

AFTER nearly a decade of service to the Tableland Futsal Club games manager and club stalwart Larry Crooks decided to call it a day, retiring after the futsal finals last Wednesday night.

By Rhys Thomas

Tableland Futsal Club games manager Larry Crook has called it a day on a decade of service to the local club.
Tableland Futsal Club games manager Larry Crook has called it a day on a decade of service to the local club.

AFTER nearly a decade of service to the Tableland Futsal Club games manager and club stalwart Larry Crooks decided to call it a day, retiring after the futsal finals last Wednesday night.

Larry moved to the Tablelands around 30 years ago after relocating from Tasmania, and with an Aussie Rules background he had no prior experience or knowledge of soccer or futsal. 

Larry’s son Ziggy ended up being the reason for Larry’s involvement with the local futsal club, making the transition from the Malanda Soccer Club.

“Soccer is what they played up here, you either had rugby or soccer,” Larry said. 

“Ziggy started playing soccer when he was about eight up here and a friend of mine said his son played futsal. 

“I asked Ziggy if he would like to play that, and he said yeah so we went along and fortunately that night Ziggy got into a team. 

“Off it went from there.” 

Treasurer was the first role that Larry put his hand up for in the club before eventually moving to his recent position of games manager.

When asked about the highlights of his time with the Tableland Futsal Club Larry boiled it down to seeing the development of young futsal players. 

“The highlights of course is seeing young kids develop into strong young men and women,” he said. 

“Having some of our players go on to play for Australia as well, two lads and a girl. 

“Seeing the success in big competitions and seeing them develop here as players.” 

Now in his 70s Larry has decided that due to some health concerns he will be stepping down as games manager, however he will still be volunteering his time to assist with the transition and in an advisory role.

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