The man charged with overseeing the next key step in Carlisle Futsal Club’s evolution is Frank Chiarella. A former professional futsal player himself back in Australia, he is well rehearsed in the ins and outs of the game at this level. Leading Carlisle Futsal through their debut season in the FA Futsal Super League will undoubtedly be challenging, but Chiarella has only positive things to say about what he has seen so far.
On his beginnings, Frank said that “after [club chairman] Al invited me up to do a Monday night session, plus viewing the setup of this Club from top to bottom, an agreement was made to become the Club’s new Head Coach.”
“There’s a brilliant academy here” Chiarella didn’t hold back with the praise. “It’s a great arrangement of youth teams, and it takes advantage of all the good that is happening with futsal right now.”
Of course a new manager brings new ideas. The former Manchester Futsal Club head coach does admit that there is still “lots to do” in these embryonic stages of his regime, but has been impressed with what he has seen up to now.
“I’ve focused on a defensive system so far with the players, and while it’s something that of course we need to become more accustomed to, we executed it perfectly in the first period of our friendly against [last season’s champions] FS Derby.”
A reason progress has been made so quickly may be down to the players willingness to learn. “I’ve noticed that every player has taken things on so far, and that is very important for a side like ours.”
When asked on targets for the season in terms of a league finish, Chiarella was confident in his ambitions. “There’s no reason we can’t be hopeful for a top four finish, which will result in us qualifying for the end of season playoffs.”
Of course, the season is about to begin in earnest. Facing such an established futsal outfit like Sheffield on the first day of the season could be viewed as the perfect acid test for the brand new Super League side.
“They’re a good club, they always have been” Chiarella explained with knowledgeable authority, “and without doubt they will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.”
The new boss has yet to decide on his starting line-up for the trip to Sheffield, but he explains that this is nothing new.
“I always wait until the day of the game to fully decide on the team. I’ll even let them warm up, try and gauge who is mentally ready for the game before letting the side know who’ll be first out there.”
With a confident, experienced man at the helm, it is hard to argue that Carlisle Futsal Club have never been in a better place. The club has positivity at its core, and this brand new Chiarella era will look to get off to the best of starts in Sheffield this Sunday.
Article by George Pacitto
Image courtesy of Marc Taylor photography