Sub-Juniors

UNDER 9’s -Coach Mr. Ron Meyn

Thank you to Ron for taking this team at short notice. This was our youngest team at the club this season and the most enthusiastic. It is great to see most of the boys put on the famous blue and white for the first time and wear it with pride. The boys progressed well during the season learning the important basic football skills. They went through the season with only 2 losses in Roo-ball and generally outclassed their opposition.  We look forward to 2008 and their transition to playing on a full sized pitch. Well done boys. To the parents sorry for the 9.00 am kick off, your red eyes and dark sunnies said it all.

 

UNDER 10’s – Coach Mr. Ange Dallas

Thank you Ange for a tremendous season both on and off the field. This was basically a completely new squad formed and developed by Ange a former junior/youth player at South Melbourne (and great coffee maker) whom with the help of his astute team manager, Carlene, produced an electrifying team. The team gelled instantly and became a power in the region and also had great success in external tournaments. The entire unit, parents and players, needs to be commended on being humble and great sportsmen/women whilst dominating the opposition outfits. The boys adapted well playing their first year on a full sized pitch, even though they generally parked in the opposition penalty box. Next season will be their first season playing for points and we have high expectations for this group. Great year and congratulations to all.

 

Juniors

 UNDER 11’s – Mr. Boyan Mitkov

PREMIERS

Congratulations to all the boys and Boyan on a truly tremendous season winning the title with over 3 games remaining. Boyan’s most difficult moment was the grilling he got during his interview for the coaching position as the team was in total control of all games during the season. The boys played a free flowing game with great skill and composure and had several standout players that also assisted our older teams. The team has qualified for the 12a League in 2008 and with some fine tuning should be a force next year in their quest of the holy grail -a Super League spot. Special thanks to Andrew Zinni, Guy Babare and John Vafiadis for their support to Boyan during the year. Guy can now retire the pooper scooper, no more 9.00am kick-offs. Super effort lads and see you next season.

 

UNDER 12A’s – Mr. Frixos Yenofkian

PREMIERS

Thank you and congratulations to Frixos and all the boys for a remarkable year snatching the title on the last emotional nail biting day of the season. This age group with Frixos have been aiming for this day since under 8’s and also had to endure a testing selection process, conducted by George Stamatelos late last year, to establish a premiership squad and have now secured a Super League position in 2008. This team has several State players and has been a pleasure to watch this year but will need to stay focussed as the U/13 Super League will be a tougher assignment. The team has also been highly successful playing and winning pre-season tournaments including the Greek Cup. Well done to Frixos, Terry, Tony and all involved.

 

UNDER 12B’s – Mr. Ross Zontanos

THIRD

What a year these boys had! With 2 weeks to season commencement the squad consisted of 4 players, however tremendous efforts by Ross, Connie and other committed Club Committee men, not only did we field a team but it remained undefeated for the entire second half of the season. This secured the team a position in the strong 13A’s competition for season 2008. With a half decent pre-season preparation next year, these boys should further mould into a strong unit and put pressure for spots to the boys in the U/13 Super League. Congratulations to Ross and all the hard workers that helped establish this unit. For the statisticians yes, Ross broke the record for the most resignations by a coach during the pre-season but as a great South Club man and coach he had the last laugh.

 

UNDER 13 SUPER LEAGUE  – Mr. Michael Dover

RUNNERS UP

Did I say runners up? Wow! Fourteen months ago, wind back the clock, 2006 U12A’s, 8^th position, 10 games to go. We win 8 out of last 10 games, and achieve Super League status. Come 2007- possibly the best unit in U13 Super League. What a difference a year makes. With a great leader in Michael and some good pick ups from his academy training, the team surpassed the heights expected by our club.

Congratulations to Michael on his first year as a South Melbourne Coach.  Well done to all the boys as the team was a very exciting unit to watch.  Most of their games contained numerous highlights and well constructed goals. Inflicting Box Hill their first loss in 3 seasons was a real highlight and the team was still a chance of snatching the title right up to the last game. We wish the team all the best in 2008 and let’s hope they can go one better. Thank you to Rob Galgano for his tireless work assisting the team and club.

 A special thanks to all the parents in this team as all of the families contributed both on and off the park to produce a trully special year for all involved.

 

UNDER 14A’s – Mr. John Papasotiriou

SIXTH

Thank you to John and Lucky for their efforts in taking over the coaching of the team mid season upon the departure of their coach. John took the task with so much vigour and passion that he ended up on crutches himself whilst leading from the front. The boys/girl rallied despite injuries and achieved several good results in the second half of the season, the most notable defeating the top team, Bulleen at the time, and showing the ability, confidence and spirit that was not evident early in the season. A continuation of this form and the addition of a further 2 to 3 quality players into the line up should see these players fighting for honors in 2008 in their quest for a Super League spot. Special thanks to the boys that assisted the U16A and U15 S/L squads during the year.

 

UNDER 15 SUPER LEAGUE – Mr. Jean-Marc Imbert  

THIRD

Thank you, Jean-Marc for coaching the boys for yet another season. Whilst the boys were disappointed with their finish, coming from back to back titles, the Club was proud of their achievements. The team had an injection of 8 new players for this season, however they gelled instantly into the South style of play.  The competition was tighter this season with the top 3 placings going down to the wire and next years will be even more difficult with the inclusion of Berwick and Oakleigh from the A-Leagues.  Several of the boys came close to State selection with only our goal keeper making the final squad. With an injury free season we expect the team to win the U/16 competition in 2008 and continue their development through the ranks. Special thanks to the team manager Nick Marinis for his efforts and commitment to the team during his difficult year.

 

UNDER 16 SUPER LEAGUE – Mr. Michael Roski

RUNNERS UP

Congratulations to Michael and welcome to South Melbourne.  Michael has previously assisted teams at the club and knows the culture and the clubs direction. With last years talented U/15 Super League team placed in the new U/18 Super League to test the standard in its inaugural year, the club was forced to form a new U/16 Super League team with only 5 weeks to season commencement.  Astute player selections and assistance from the U/18 and U/15 squads during the year saw this new unit not only become a competitive team but become a championship contender. The top 4 finish qualified for the club for another year in the U/18 Super League leaving the club with a direct path from U8’s to Youth/ Senior football from within our structure. Congratulations to all the boys and thanks to the parents for making the long drives from the northern suburbs and country towns and also providing Michael with sedatives during the tight games.

 

UNDER 16A’s –Mr. Vaios Malliaras

FOURTH

Well done to Vaios on a great season in his first season of junior coaching, not only for finishing fourth but also providing fit, quality players for the U/15 and U/16 Super League teams throughout the season. The boys lost 2^nd position on the last day of the season due to injuries and having to provide players to the S/L teams. This was a development squad of 15 and 16 year olds that kept the pressure on the Super League teams whilst continuing to improve their own skills and football smarts. Special thanks to their team manager Chris for all his work behind the scenes for over 3 years, I won’t mention his refereeing skills. Congratulations to all the boys and Vaios for running such a tight unit and their great results through 2007.

 

UNDER 18 SUPER LEAGUE – Mr. George Stamatelos

EIGHTH

Congratulations to all the players in this squad for their excellent efforts and physical sacrifices representing the club in the U16 Super League, U18 Super League and U21’s.

This was an exceptional unit of Under 16 players that only lost one game the previous year in the Under 15 Super League and could easily have played U16’s this year and won the league in a canter. The senior board and President requested that they play in the new 18 Super League to test the standard for future participation, however numerous injuries to the Senior and reserve squads and the lack of players dropping back from Johnny A’s Senior squad forced the U21’s to take players from the team on a weekly basis. This severely dented the squad numbers and their assault on the U18 championship. The team had to forfeit 3 games due to numbers and only fielded its true full squad on 7 occasions when fixtures did not clash with the U21’s for 4 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss.(including the 3-2 win against Oakleigh, hee! hee! hee!).

From this squad 12 of the players had U21 game time and they also assisted the U16 Super League team during tough fixtures to ensure they had enough points for a top 4 finish and qualify for the U18 Super League in 2008. The boys will be in their correct age group next year and have already issued their warning!

Thanks again to George for his coaching, guidance and development of this fine group of players and bringing the entire club to its lofty heights.