Day: March 12, 2014

South Melbourne FC is delighted to announce the renewal of its partnership with AIS Insurance, with its logo proudly featuring on the front of the playing shorts for the 2014 National Premier League season.

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 and Construction Team, Professional Indemnity and Directors Liability, Workers Compensation and Workcover, and Claims Management.

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, 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.

Speaking with smfc.com.au, SMFC General Manager Peter Kokotis said, “we are delighted to renew our existing partnership with Brendon and AIS Insurance Brokers for another season. They have been long-term supporters of the Club and we are very thankful for their continued generous support. It is one of the longest standing partnerships in the Club’s history. Please contact Brendon for all your insurance requirements”.

southRadio is back for season 2014 and once again providing a light
hearted look at all things South Melbourne FC in our weekly podcast.

In the first episode of the year we have John, David and Griffin back
in the studio to talk about our lengthy pre-season, as well as to
discuss the National Premier League and how it effects our club.

We also preview the upcoming Round 1 Thursday night blockbuster
against our old foe Heidelberg United, as well as look in depth at our
2014 squad.

Check out the episode below

Should you have any ideas, suggestions or feedback for southRadio
please email the club at multimedia@smfc.com.au

South Melbourne FC is pleased to confirm that Michael Eagar has been
appointed as Club Captain for the inaugural 2014 National Premier
League season.

Michael’s leadership qualities have shown since he first stepped into
Lakeside Stadium in the summer. In the numerous friendly matches the
Club has played during pre-season, Eagar has thoroughly impressed
Coach Chris Taylor and his coaching staff with his organisation,
encouragement and constant communication with his teammates.

The 24 year old dual Australian/New Zealand citizen has captained New
Zealand at both Under 20 and Under 23 level and was always going to be
in contention to lead the Club in the NPL. His first League match as
South Captain will be in Thursday night’s opening round derby against
Heidelberg United at Olympic Village.

Joining Eagar in the leadership positions are Tyson Holmes and Brad
Norton, with both players appointed as Vice Captains. Holmes and
Norton featured heavily for South in the 2013 Victorian Premier League
season and showed immense dedication to the cause. Following Luke
Byles’ departure midway through 2013, Norton captained the side for
the rest of the season.

South Melbourne FC congratulates all three players on their
appointments and looks forward to seeing them lead the side throughout
the upcoming year.

South Melbourne FC is pleased to confirm the signing of English striker Jamie Reed from Chester Football Club. The 26 year old returns to Australia following a very successful loan stint with Dandenong Thunder in 2010 and joins South ahead of the 2014 National Premier League season that kicks off against Heidelberg United on Thursday 13 March.

Reed began his senior football career at Wrexham in 2005. Following loan spells at Glentoran, Colwyn Bay, AberystwythTown and Tamworth, he then played with Welsh Premier League clubs Rhyl and Bangor City. During the off-season, Reed came to Melbourne and joined Stuart Munro’s Dandenong Thunder side on loan, scoring a remarkable 7 goals in five matches before returning to Bangor City. After further spells at York City and Cambridge United (loan), Reed eventually joined home town club Chester (in the Conference Premier league) where he has been since mid-2013.

South fans may remember Reed scoring twice in Dandenong’s 3-2 win against South at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex on Sunday 27 June 2010. Senior coach Chris Taylor will be hoping that Reed will have the same prolific goal scoring form as he did when he played for Dandenong four years ago and that he will link up nicely up front with Milos Lujic in 2014.

SMFC Football Director Nicholas Maikoussis was delighted with the signing, adding that “it is fantastic that we have further strengthened our attacking options with such an experienced player. We are looking forward to the pairing of Milos and Jamie upfront who will hopefully score many goals”.

South Melbourne FC welcomes Jamie Reed to the Club and wishes him the best for the upcoming season.

Check out his YouTube Highlights

South Melbourne FC is excited to announce the return of the 2014 SMFC
NPL Tipping Competition.

Prizes for the top three lucky winners include:

First Prize:
$150 Gift Voucher for the SMFC Merchandise Store

Second Prize:

SMFC soccer ball signed by the 2014 SMFC Senior Squad

Third Prize:

2 tickets to the 2015 SMFC Jersey Presentation Night

Its easy to enter, and lots of fun. In each round you will tip for a
home win, draw, or away win. You will get 1 point for a correct win or
1 point for a correct draw. The current round will close 1 hour before
the first game of each round is to be played. If you forget to submit
your tips in for a round, you will get the lowest score of the round
minus 1 point. If you start late, you will be allocated the average
points of the competition.

To enter the tipping competition, please go to http://tipping.smfc.com.au/

South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce the signing of young
midfielder and former South Melbourne Junior player Slaven Vranesevic
ahead of the 2014 National Premier League season. He is the brother of
Sasha Vranesevic, who played for the Club in 2010.

Vranesevic’s pre-season performances during friendly matches caught
the eye of Coach Chris Taylor, who opted to sign him. A tough and
skilful midfielder, Vraneseivc has had senior stints with Southern
Stars and Springvale White Eagles and has also spent time with the
Melbourne Victory Youth Team. In 2013, Vranesevic was the catalyst
behind Springvale winning the State League Two Championship and he
rounded off a brilliant year by winning the State League Two Player of
the Year.

He also spent time overseas with Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade,
where he was part of the youth set up, as well as training with the
senior squad.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, SMFC Football Director Nicholas Maikousis
said “the Club continues to sign some of the brightest talents in the
state, and we are delighted to have Slaven join the squad”.

We wish Slaven all the best for 2014 and look forward to seeing him in
the South shirt.

South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce MW Group as one of the Club’s Principal Partners for the 2014 National Premier League season. This marks the second year of the partnership between MW Group and the Club. The MW Group logo will proudly feature on the sleeve of the playing jersey.

The MW Group is a boutique financial services firm that specialises in Financial Planning, Risk Management, Asset Protection, Estate Planning, Self Managed Superannuation, Accounting and Finance, and provide a holistic approach to Planning. Their specialists have a combined industry experience of over 100 years, varying from Merchant Banking, Practice Management, Business Development and Accounting.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, SMFC General Manager Peter Kokotis said “we are quite excited to have MW Group on board for another season. Nicholas Maikousis has been involved with South Melbourne as a former Senior Vice President of the Club back in the NSL, and four generations of his family have been involved at the Club. His work off the park in the football and sponsorship portfolios has been outstanding”.

South Melbourne FC wishes to confirm that Bojo Jevdjevic has joined the Club as Goalkeeping Coach ahead of the 2014 National Premier League season. He replaces Rob Graskoski, who joined former SMFC Technical Director Mehmet Durakovic at Malaysian Super League club Selangor FA over the summer.

Bojo Jevdjevic is a name known to many South Melbourne fans due to his goalkeeping for several opposition sides playing against South both in the National Soccer League and the Victorian Premier League over the years. He played in the VPL for Springvale White Eagles, Heidelberg United and Altona Magic and represented Gippsland Falcons/Eastern Pride and Sydney Olympic in the NSL. Ironically, he was in between the sticks when Gianni De Nittis headed Fernando De Moraes’ cross past him for the winning goal in South’s 1-0 victory over Altona Magic in the 2006 VPL Grand Final at Lakeside Stadium.

Jevdjevic is delighted to be joining the Club, adding that “South is a fantastic club and arguably the biggest club in Victoria who I have many special memories of from playing against them. It is great to be a part of the club and am really looking forward to working with the young goalkeepers this year”. He will work closely with goalkeepers Jason Saldaris and Chris Maynard to try and emulate Peter Gavalas’ Goalkeeper of the Year status that the now retired custodian achieved in 2013.

SMFC Coach Chris Taylor was excited to have Jevdjevic arrive at Lakeside Stadium, adding that “Bojo is an excellent addition to our coaching ranks. He comes with a great reputation as both a goalkeeping coach, and as an outstanding goalkeeper in both the VPL and NSL. He will no doubt be a great mentor for the goalkeepers at South Melbourne”.

South Melbourne FC welcomes Bojo Jevdjevic to the Club and wishes him well for the upcoming season.

South Melbourne FC is excited to announce the addition of 19 year old Kobbie Boahene and 15 year old Andy Kecojevic to its senior squad ahead of the 2014 National Premier League season.

Boahene is formerly of the Australian Institute of Sport and Melbourne Victory Youth and has impressed throughout the pre-season with his blistering pace and ability to beat defenders on both the right and left wings.

After catching Chris Taylor’s eye at a youth training session, Kecojevic’s elevation to the senior squad will provide South with another option in the forward half. He has impressed the coaching staff with his abilities and attitude for such a young man. Previously he represented the National Training Centre and also played for Springvale White Eagles.

Boahene and Kecojevic have both found the back of the net during the pre-season and will add even more youth to an already young South squad that has only two players over 25 years of age, those being Dimi Tsiaras (29) and Tyson Holmes (26).

Speaking to smfc.com.au, SMFC Football Director Nicholas Maikousis said “it is quite exciting to see these two young talented players make the transition to the senior squad. It will be an incredible experience for young Andy, who at 15 years of age, wil be training with the senior team. It will be a steep learning curve, but this will tremendously benefit his development. We have been quite impressed with Kobbie’s pace and skill, and are hoping to see him replicate these terrific performances during the season”.

South Melbourne FC welcomes both Kobbie Boahene and Andy Kecojevic to the senior side and wishes them the best for the upcoming season.

Click here to purchase your 2014 Membership

South Melbourne FC is delighted to announce the renewal of its partnership with Beachcomber Cafe for another season, with its logo proudly featuring on the back of the playing shirt for the 2014 National Premier League season. This marks the third year of the partnership between Beachcomber Cafe and South Melbourne FC.

Located at the St Kilda Sea Baths, Beachcomber goes beyond expectations of a casual cafe experience. Spectacular beach side views, a sprawling outdoor dining area and a gourmet menu mean this restaurant showcases St Kilda’s food culture at its best. Delicious meals are served with a touch of the Mediterranean and set in the perfect location with its uninterrupted view of Port Phillip Bay. In addition, Beachcomber Cafe is open from morning until late in the evening, and is perfect for a morning pit stop, a lazy afternoon or to watch the sun set over the water.

Beachcomber Cafe has hosted many South Melbourne FC events such as the Jersey Presentation Nights, Most Valuable Player Award, Junior Presentation events, as well hosting the live broadcast of both World Cup qualifiers between Greece and Romania late last year.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, SMFC General Manager Peter Kokotis commented “we are excited to be announcing that Beachcomber Cafe has renewed its partnership with the club for the third year in a row. We hope the partnership continues to be a long-standing relationship between both organisations. I ask all South fans and members to get behind our sponsors, and assist the organisations that are committing their support for this great club”.

The 2014 SMFC Jersey Presentation event will be held at Beachcomber Cafe. Details for the event will be released shortly.

Click here to visit the Beachcomber website.