Sporting Alumni Reunite for Futsal Home Nations Tournament

A Northumbria University Futsal reunion took place at the home of English Football, St George’s Park, for the Futsal Home Nations tournament in December 2019. Spearheaded by Head Coach Michael Gunn, the futsal programme at Northumbria has an exceptional reputation and former graduates have progressed into senior international teams and have represented their countries in UEFA qualifying competitions alongside soaring to success in BUCS National Competitions.

The Futsal Home Nations is an annual event, in its fourth season where England, Wales, Scotland & Northern Ireland face each other across three days of competition. England were the hosts this year, as well as firm favourites and previous winners. The attention however, for a Northumbria futsal fan, was on Northern Ireland, Scotland and the commentary box!

Student Sport President of 2014, Adam Barr led out Northern Ireland as captain and most capped player with former teammate Scott Gunn alongside him. Barr and Gunn were revolutionary in the development of Men’s Futsal at Northumbria and have had the same impact on the Northern Ireland squad as influential players both on and off the court. Barr is a natural born leader and in his tenure as Sport President, led Northumbria to a Stan Calvert victory and a top ten finish in BUCS as well as coaching football at Chipata in Zambia as part of the Zambia IDEALS project. As a youngster, Gunn played in the academy at Sunderland, but as the son of Head Coach, Michael Gunn, had strong futsal blood flowing through his veins and converted to futsal during his time at Northumbria, narrowly missing out on a BUCS Championship medal in his final year. Scott commented on the event “It is great to play at St Georges Park representing Northern Ireland. It was great to be surrounded by familiar faces who all stared their futsal journeys at Northumbria, it is nice to see so many involved in the game within a range of capacities”. 

Former housemates and Northumbria teammates Adam Barr and James Gunn went head-to-head as Northern Ireland faced Scotland. After a close and competitive encounter, underdogs Northern Ireland came out as 5-3 winners and off the pitch everyone was friends again! Barr said “The tournament itself is always special. Representing your country is an honour. The lads did really well to push England so close and beat Scotland to finish 3rd. It was fantastic to see so many of the Northumbria University graduates involved with Futsal at the Home Nations, the dulcet tones of Hannah Marshall was a highlight on the BBC. But great that James, Scott and myself representing our countries. Also Niamh the team physio, who to be honest is good enough to play. But it was great to get a reunion with everyone. Alice Harkness, Carla and Michael Gunn were all there supporting which was special also. It was a fantastic weekend topped off by seeing everyone who made my time at university enjoyable. Roll on 2020!”.

Northumbria University’s influence within the Northern Ireland futsal programme doesn’t stop there, as former women’s football and futsal player and former Republic of Ireland international, Niamh McLaughlin is the current Northern Ireland Futsal Team Physio and has travelled all over Europe providing support in international competition. McLaughlin studied an undergraduate Physiotherapy degree at Northumbria, before completing an MSc in Strength & Conditioning. A four-time futsal BUCS Champion herself, McLaughlin is able to combine her love for futsal with her profession and is held in high esteem by the Northern Ireland staff and players.

Adam Barr’s predecessor as Student Sport President, Hannah Marshall was also in attendance as a co-commentator for the live coverage that was streamed live on the BBC and internationally on YouTube. Marshall joined professional commentator, Dave Bracegirdle, in the commentary box to provide insight from a futsal perspective to those following at home. Marshall is also the current Women’s Futsal Coach at Northumbria and, alongside Michael Gunn, has helped lead the team to six consecutive BUCS Championship titles. Studying an undergraduate degree in Applied Sport Science & Coaching and then an MSc in International Sport Management, Marshall said “It was a beautiful moment to see all of my former teammates, friends and course mates representing their respective nations in senior international sport. My time studying at Northumbria were the best years of my life, being involved in sport as sport president and as a student gave me so much from a personal and professional point of view and opportunities like the Zambia project and winning BUCS Championships gave me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone and always believe in myself”.