Day: March 26, 2010

Friday, 26 March 2010 11:01 AM

AIS Insurance Brokers, long-term corporate partner of South Melbourne FC, turns 20 this year.

The company was founded in October 1990 by Brendon Davis as a one person business specialising in insuring all forms of business and commercial risks. AIS initially operated from leased premises in Burwood, and in June 1991, AIS moved to South Melbourne where it has been based ever since. The organisation has steadily grown to become the leading autonomous Victorian based Insurance Broker. Clients work closely with AIS Insurance Brokers, knowing they receive superior advice and that they will recommend the insurance program and insurer that provide the best protection for their business rather than an insurer or option which offers an incentive to AIS.

AIS negotiate specific corporate and commercial insurance placement for clients in a variety of industry classifications and also niche products developed for special client groups. AIS have several specialist teams including: Property & Construction Team, Professional Indemnity & Directors Liability, Workers Compensation and Workcover, Claims Management, Wholesale Insurance (to other insurance brokers only).

Over the years AIS have been involved in some interesting and amazing insurance placements. In 1999 AIS insured the importation of several White Rhinoceros out of South Africa for our Australian Zoos. AIS have insured the work on many oil and gas pipelines, the construction of many landmark city buildings but most importantly they have been able to work with many small and medium sized businesses helping them grow and prosper.

AIS have over 30 staff with in house specialists in most general insurance disciplines. The organisation is one of the few Victorian Brokers admitted as coverholders at Lloyds of London since 1994.

Brendon Davis, founder of AIS Insurance Brokers, has been a generous financial contributor to South Melbourne FC through event and signage sponsorship, purchasing players at player auctions, and general assistance over the years. Brendon commenced sponsoring South Melbourne FC in 1997/98, and was also awarded the Sam Papasavas Award for his contribution to the Club in 2006.

As part of the 20th birthday celebrations, AIS Insurance Brokers has generously announced a 20th goal promotion where the score of the 20th goal for the season (and each multiple of 20 being 40, 60, 80, 100) receives $20. Therefore, 20 x $20 =$400.

South Melbourne FC wishes both Brendon and AIS Insurance continued success, and a very happy 20th birthday to AIS.

Contact Details

AIS Insurance Brokers
137 Moray Street, South Melbourne 3205
Telephone Number: 8699 8888
Website: www.aisinsurance.com.au

Friday, 26 March 2010 10:05 AM

By John Kyrou

South Melbourne FC faces arguably its toughest challenge thus far in 2010 when the side travels to George Andrews Reserve to face the Dandenong Thunder on Saturday evening in a match that will hopefully rival the corresponding fixture played in 2009.

South will enter the game on the back of its first win of the season following the 2-1 home win over Green Gully last Sunday. Undefeated in 2010 and with six points from its opening four matches, the Blues are sitting in the top five of the VPL ladder. In contrast and somewhat surprisingly, Dandenong have only one solitary win from their opening four matches. Last week, the Thunder opened the scoring away against Oakleigh but lost 3-1, leaving the team in ninth spot on the VPL table.

Despite the slow start by Dandenong this season, they have shown in the past that they are no pushovers and no easy beats. The Thunder had an outstanding 2009 season, where they won the Minor Premiership but tragically lost the Grand Final on a penalty shootout. In the corresponding match last year, Dandenong cruised to a 2-0 home lead before 2 goals in two minutes by Fernando De Moraes and Goran Zoric saw the match end in an exciting 2-2 draw.

Dandenong’s two other home matches in 2010 have seen them beat the Melbourne Knights 2-1 and lose 0-3 to Richmond in what was seen as a shock defeat. Despite this loss, George Andrews Reserve has been a fortress for the Thunder in recent years and the South players will need to play extremely well to win the three points on Saturday. The Blues will not be helped with Joseph Youssef’s injury last weekend, coupled with the fact that several other players are nursing knocks from the Green Gully match. These include Carl Recchia, James Stefanou and Marinos Gasparis.

The key players for the away side this weekend will be Peter Zois, Daniel Vasilevski and Fernando De Moraes, who have all been outstanding throughout the pre-season and opening four rounds of the VPL season. Zois made a double-save at the weekend to ensure South won all three points, whilst the midfield combination of Vasilevski and Fernando has seen both players net all of South’s seven goals in the League this season. If Zois can hold his defence firm on Saturday and the De Moraes-Vasilevski show rolls on, South will give itself every possible chance to overcome the Thunder.

The match kicks off at 7pm on Saturday evening at George Andrews Reserve.

Last time they met