Day: December 15, 2004

Wednesday, 15 December 2004 5:54 PM

Yesterday, on the hallowed turf of Bob Jane Stadium, a young footballer made a huge step towards realising his dreams. 13 year old Alex Tabor was presented with his first individual player sponsorship by Four ‘N Twenty and received some advice from former-South Melbourne Youth player Ahmet Ikiz, who now plies his trade in Turkey.

President of the South Melbourne Junior Soccer Club, Peter Papos, a few friends and his proud parents looked on as Alex was presented with a sponsorship worth $7,500, which has been provided to cover football-related costs such as elite training, equipment and travel expenses.

Alex, who attends Caulfield Grammar, is the youngest player to join the South Melbourne Soccer Training Academy and is a current member of the Victorian Development Squad.

He has recently returned from a successful European trip where he represented Oceania in the Coerver Coaching Oceania Tour. During this tour Alex scored seven goals in six matches, against teams such as the FC Barcelona Youth Academy.

South Melbourne FC President, George Donikian was also on hand to witness the presentation.

“We are very proud that one of the newest members of the South Melbourne family was rewarded for his magnificent efforts during his recent overseas tour”, Donikian said.

“It’s fantastic that Four ‘N Twenty, an iconic Australian food brand, saw it fit to sponsor not only grassroots football, but also a very promising young player by the name of Alex Tabor.”

Everybody at South Melbourne FC would like to congratulate Alex on his achievement and wish him all the best for his future footballing endeavours.

Wednesday, 15 December 2004 10:14 AM

South Melbourne FC have taken a large step to assuring their financial viability for the 2005 VPL season by announcing Rocket Batteries as its major ‘shirt’ sponsor.

“It’s all about building blocks, and slowly we’re climbing them” said South President George Donikian at a sponsors launch at Bob Jane Stadium. “We are about 40% of the way there, and considering where we’ve come from that’s terrific. But there is still more work to do to reach our goals”.

The buzz at the club’s VIP night was positive, with a host of sponsors and partners of the club, both past and present, on hand to celebrate the approaching VPL season.

“We extend our warm thanks to Lou Vetouladithis and Eddy Bithavas at Rocket Batteries for their ongoing support and we are sure we will offer them a fantastic return on their investment”. The club has also announced a string of other sponsors including Doric Marble, Laiki Bank and Limnos Poultry that will help underpin the clubs short and medium term viability.

“OnlySport have come on board as our kit sponsor and have produced an exclusive South Melbourne strip that looks fantastic and we’re hoping to have some merchandise available early in January.”

South Melbourne’s on field stocks are boosted with the confirmation that some of the teams best players of last year are backing up, including Vaughan Coveny, Ante Kovacevic along with favourite sons Paul Trimboli and Con Blatsis. Coach John Anastasiadis is building a team with an experienced ‘spine’, supported by a crop of promising young talent.

And it’s a philosophy of sound defence on which, perhaps surprisingly, the former South striker is building his team. While promising the club’s fans some good entertainment in 2005, Anastasiadis emphasises that he believes good football starts in the back half of the field, drawing a left field analogy. “The great NBA basketball coach Pat Riley used to have teams known for ‘Showtime’ play, but that flash was built on a foundation of rock solid defence – you can expect the same from South Melbourne in 2005”.

Quite literally off-field, Donikian has hinted at some aesthetic changes to the clubs Albert Park home. “We are looking at making some minor changes, like moving seats inside the stadium to create greater comfort and atmosphere for our patrons”. The club has engaged a new grounds keeping team and despite Melbourne’s heavy rain of late, the pitch is set to be in good shape when the blue and whites host cross town rivals Heidelberg United in little over 6 weeks time.

It is shaping as a make or break season for the proud Melbourne club, returning to the VPL after 27 successful years in the NSL, something that the new President is aware of. “It’s a new chapter, and the best part is we get to write it. And we plan to write it as fun, successful and above all positive”.