Every one of our players is on a different futsal, football and life journey. Some will have similar paths but none will be the same, twins included!!
What is unusual is for 3 players from the same family going on to represent their country at international level.
Callum (2006), Erin and Jessica Husband (2008's) were all involved in our Futsal Escocia Academy sessions and played for the Futsal Escocia Teams in our winter and summer leagues. From the outset, it was clear that all 3 players shared a good work ethic, great energy and willingness to learn. Combined with ability, they all had the potential to do well in futsal and football.
Callum was playing his football with Glenrothes Athletic and when the girls started futsal they were at Raith Rovers, before progressing to Hearts and playing with Burntisland Shipyard 2008 boys.
For me, the environment that players train and play is vital and the group of players the girls trained with is probably the best I've had on my coaching journey, with a 8 or 9 boys from the group going onto pro academies and are now some of the best talent in the country. The players pushed each other to new levels at training and matches. The intensity of sessions was incredible. They rarely, if ever, required a reminder to work hard and it spread to the players around them.
The girls training schedule meant they had to eventually drop the Academy sessions but they've always remained close to futsal and they also introduced futsal to a lot of their Hearts teammates through our sessions, leagues and tournaments. Callum even coached the girls in the Scossie Cup success.
Callum was a good footballer but he was never involved in pro structure and he made the decision to quit football not long after he went to 11 a sides to focus on his futsal and studies at school.
Dropping football didn't impact on his futsal performances. His attributes are probably more suited to the indoor game, with good close control, good game intelligence, and exceptional levels of anaerobic fitness. The twins possess the same qualities.
In 2021, Callum was made captain of the Futsal Escocia first team, a group that completed our men's futsal pathway with the creation of an adult side that competed in the SFL Edinburgh. The young team was filled with 15 and 16 year olds and they found it challenging competing against men but it wasn't long before they found their feet. The team lost out in the playoffs but finished the season well and continued to make progress as the season went on. The following year the team went on to win the SFL Edinburgh and the League Cup, whilst progressing to the Scottish Cup Semi Final where they were narrowly knocked out by Super League side Dundee.
Whilst Callum was enjoying success at futsal, the girls were flying with their football. Winning leagues and cups with Hearts, their performances didn't go unnoticed by the national team selection group and Scottish Schools. To represent your country is what you dream of as a kid.
Now regulars in the Scotland squads, Erin and Jess continue to be selected at u16 and u17 levels. Both players have the honour of captaining their country and both girls have been shortlisted for the SWF youth player of the year award 2O23. To date, the girls have 15 caps and Jess has 2 goals. They join ex Futsal Escocia players Alasdair Davidson, Summer Laird and Olivia Chomczuck with youth level caps.
The next part of their journey is to progress to regular first team football and full time football, whilst remaining in the national team structure through the age groups. Although the girls are loving football, studies, good exam results and university are still very much part of their plans.
Callum has started the season well. His Super League performances had him included in the futsal national team squad for the recent friendlies versus Northern Ireland. He joined Futsal Escocia players, Cameron Taylor, Caleb Holness and Liam Kelly in the groups. Callum made his debut in a narrow 2-1 defeat.
Hubby is now part of the Scotland team training group preparing for the Euro Qualifying campaign. He is studying aeronautical engineering at Glasgow University and was dux of his year at Kirkcaldy High School.
Neil and Cathy will be enormously proud of their kids but that feeling is shared by myself, our coaches, and everyone connected with Futsal Escocia.
To have players going on to represent their country is fantastic. We will support them as much as we can on their journey. I'm sure they won't be the last either!!
With effort and ambition, you don't know where it will take you.
