Ahead of the UEFA Futsal Champions League, we caught up with Kai Bone
Background and Beginnings
Kai Bone hails from Partington, a town on the outskirts of Manchester. His early football career saw him playing for prestigious academies such as Manchester City, Manchester United, and Fleetwood. "I went to school in Lymm and played for the school team as well as these academies," Kai recounts. He furthered his football journey with a scholarship at Connah's Quay before transferring to Wrexham to compete in the Youth FA Cup. After two years, Kai transitioned fully to futsal, joining Manchester Futsal Club.
Introduction to Futsal
Kai's futsal journey began in the Kevin Davies Futsal Cup, where his Sunday league team emerged victorious. "We won in the final and didn’t lose a game. I fell in love with futsal since then," he recalls. His first team futsal journey started at Tranmere before returning to Manchester.
Futsal Journey
Kai's first futsal experience came at 14, and he quickly fell in love with the game's speed and technical demands. "As a goalkeeper, I had always been branded as a sweeper keeper. In futsal, I could get much more involved in the game," he explains.
Memorable Moments
One of Kai's standout memories in futsal was making his Super League debut just 10 days after his 16th birthday. "It was an amazing achievement to play at the highest level in futsal so early in my career," he reflects.
Inspiration and Influence
"My biggest influence in my futsal career was probably Paco Sedano," Kai shares. Watching Sedano's videos on YouTube helped him learn the best goalkeeping techniques and shaped his approach to the game.
Playing Experience
Kai enjoys the fast pace of futsal and the significant involvement of the goalkeeper. "The goalkeeper can really make a big difference on the court," he notes.
Experience with Manchester Futsal Club
"Since I joined Manchester Futsal, I have loved every minute of it," Kai says. He appreciates the close-knit nature of the club, describing it as more of a family than just a team.
Role and Position
As the goalkeeper, Kai's primary role is to prevent goals, though he also enjoys scoring occasionally. "My role is to stop the ball from going into the back of the net (as well as scoring the odd few)," he explains.
Key Skills for Success
"For a goalkeeper, success means making as many saves as possible, being loud, and providing information to the team," Kai emphasises. Communication and motivation are crucial elements of his role.
Personal Insights Pre-game Rituals and Superstitions
"Nope. I’m boring!" Kai says, revealing he has no pre-game rituals or superstitions.
Motivation and Focus
Kai's drive comes from a desire to improve personally and achieve team success. "The drive to improve personally and be successful as a team to make sure we are the top team in the country," he states.
Goals and Aspirations
"My aspirations are to carry on winning with Manchester and stay the top team," Kai shares. He also dreams of playing long enough to share the court with his two sons one day.
Hosting the UEFA Futsal Champions League Feelings about Hosting
"It’s an amazing opportunity for everyone to see where we play most weeks and to show what we can do at home," Kai says. He believes the home advantage will be significant given their current form.
Looking Forward to Playing
"I’m looking forward to a new challenge and experiencing the quality of the best teams from other countries," Kai states, eager for the competition.
Preparation
To prepare for the Champions League, Kai has been focusing on fitness and scouting the competition. "I have been trying to keep fit and checking out the other teams we are going to be competing against," he notes.
Community and Impact Impact on Young Athletes
"Futsal is an amazing game for people to get into," Kai explains. He believes it helps improve traditional football skills and offers an exciting, fast-paced alternative.
Advice for Young Players
"I’ve never regretted having futsal as my main sport," Kai advises. He encourages young players to embrace the sport, noting its benefits for overall athletic development.
Personal Life and Interests Free Time Activities
Outside of futsal, Kai enjoys spending time with his family and going on outings with his two boys. "I like to spend time with my family and go on days out with my two boys," he says.
Hobbies and Passions
Kai is passionate about his sons' budding interest in football. "My sons have just started to get into playing football and I’m enjoying taking them to their sessions," he shares.
Fun Fact
"Until futsal, I had never played as a goalkeeper full-time," Kai reveals, offering a unique insight into his sports journey.
Come and catch Kai and Manchester Futsal Club in the UEFA Futsal Champions League this August. Tickets are available now at www.manchesterfutsalshop.com
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