Whakatāne’s new futsal team have finished the season on a high.

The boys recently had their final game of the WaiBop Futsal League, where they secured a 5-2 win against Tauranga Boys College in a third-place final.

“They played really well as a team, scoring some great goals,” said coach Mauricio Guaragna.

“This match was a rematch of a previous encounter against Tauranga, which ended in a 5-4 loss.

“It was quite an exciting final. In the end; they placed third, just behind ACG Tauranga in first place) and Papamoa College, who were second.”

In their build-up to the finals, the team had three victories and three defeats, an excellent result for their first time playing in the league, their coach said.

Futsal, played indoors, is a fast-paced, five-a-side version of football.

The Whakatāne Futsal Club team practise weekly at Whakatāne Intermediate School. The WaiBop Futsal League is divided into junior, high school, and senior divisions. The Whakatāne Futsal Club competes in the Junior High School League, facing off against schools such as Te Puke High School, Mount Maunganui College, Papamoa College, Tauranga Boys’ College, and ACG School.

Games are held every Sunday at Mercury Arena in Tauranga.

Guaragna has coached the team over the past few months, but as he is relocating out of Whakatāne, the coaching will be taken over by Shane Salter, a soccer coach at Trident High School.

Salter said he was looking forward to taking over as coach from Guaragna for next season.

“While I have coached these kids for football over the past couple of years and watched them improve each week, I have been super impressed with how well they have picked up futsal as well,” said Salter.

“We’re super proud of their achievements this year and the team bond they have created.”