Poutakidis to continue as Women’s Technical Director in 2023
South Melbourne FC can announce Sam Poutakidis will continue as the club’s NPLW Technical Director in 2023.
Poutakidis had two stints at South Melbourne FC as a player. He represented the club 55 times (scoring 4 goals) as a full back in both the National Soccer League (2002-2004) and then the Victorian Premier League (2008). His playing career spanned over a decade at the top level in Victoria and included two club best and fairest awards.
Since retiring from playing, Sam has played an active role in coaching over the past decade. In all of his roles, the FFA A Licensed coach has had player development at the forefront.
Speaking to smfc.com.au, Director of Women’s Football Theo Chronis was thrilled to have Sam remaining with the club in 2023. “Sam is a very experienced coach and well-respected Technical Director in Victorian football. His skill and knowledge have added value right across our NPL Women’s and Girls programs.”
“Sam has a wealth of experience in football over almost two decades and we are naturally delighted to have someone of his quality involved in the club and the female program. We look forward to having Sam working closely with Senior Women’s Coach George Georgiadis into the future.”
We look forward to having Sam continue with us at Lakeside and Albert Park throughout 2023.
South Melbourne FC can announce that George Georgiadis has been appointed as SMFC Senior Head Coach for the 2023 NPL Women’s Victoria season.
Georgiadis has served at the club as the NPLW U19s coach and the Senior caretaker coach in the latter stages of this season.
George has a wealth of football knowledge and experience having played with Heidelberg United from 1993-1998 and 2001-2002. He started as a junior at the club and rose through the ranks to play as a midfielder for the seniors. His playing career culminating in scoring in the 2001 Victorian Premier League Grand Final against Port Melbourne at Bob Jane Stadium.
Transitioning into coaching, Georgiadis has spent time developing youth girls across Melbourne for a number of years before joining South Melbourne FC.
Theo Chronis, Football Director of Women’s Football was pleased with the announcement saying “I’m proud to be able to announce George as our coach for the 2023 season. This will be an important year for the club and women’s football in general as we see the Women’s World Cup come to our shores. We are continuing to look at ways to grow and evolve our women’s program here at South Melbourne and I look forward to George playing an integral role in that journey.”
We wish him well for the remainder of the 2022 season and the commencement of preparations for 2023 later in the year.
Our blind team today were crowned Australian Champions in the National Blind Football Series.
The team drew 1-1 with Olympic FC from Brisbane. We conceded early to a penalty, but the squad fought back and in the second half equalised from open play thanks to Captain Amir Abdi.
Photo of South Melbourne FC blind footballers Bo, Nathan and Shae applauding during the National Blind Football Series medal presentation
Match Report
by Sebastian Petrovic, IBSA Referee and former South Melbourne FC Senior Mens player
Firstly the big thank you must go to the behind the scenes hard work from the South Melbourne All abilities program. The club gives South Melbourne players a professional environment to develop their skills and confidence by creating training schedules and providing the resources for the Blind football team to develop and build ongoing connections and friendships through sport.
This was the second and final match in the series and the players had a mix of adrenaline, excitement and nervousness. Their actions on the pitch is the most important in their development and I could definitely see the huge improvements compared to their last match in May
This match had a lot of counter-attacks and intensity through both fifteen minute halves. The timeouts were crucial for both teams providing the players the opportunity to communicate, rest and reset. Brisbane Olympic FC had been breaking through on goals but lacked the final action to score. They had also given away three fouls early on for not communicating on the pitch which gave South Melbourne a lot of set free kicks.
Players on both sides experienced some injury clashes which were mainly off ball incidents. Referee timeouts were called to pause the time to assess each individual. The main thing as a referee in these matches is to tailor it to balance both competition and the educational development for all players and staff. It is important experience for the players enabling them to get through all the matches with no serious injuries and learn a huge part of the rules and fair play.
Being a Blind Football Referee is extremely rewarding for everyone involved and we all united as one to learn from one another. I’m proud to see these players develop and grow as both individuals and footballers. Each one oof themhad an opportunity to show why they should be selected for the Australian national team and do it the honest way through hard work and team work.
The goal of the National Blind Football Series was definitely Amir Abdi who had run on an angle losing a shoe and being under pressure from Olympic player Nazim while shooting in a low hard across goal keeper to make it 1.1.
South Melbourne FC Team Manager Skip Fulton with blind footballers Amir Abdi and Brand Pinkett holding the trophy for winning the National Blind Football SeriesSouth Melbourne FC Team Manager Skip Fulton, Coach : Igor Negrao and Goal Guide Bess Hepworth holding the trophy for winning the National Blind Football Series
The blind football team at the South Melbourne Football Club put in a dominating performance to defeat Brisbane Olympic FC 2-0 at The Hangar.
The National Blind Football Series kicked off in Melbourne this weekend marking the first ever competitive blind football match in Australia. South Melbourne’s Brendan Spencer was aggressive in the attacking half for the victors with a stunning display of foot work and free kick taking.
Spencer hit the woodwork mid-way through the first half with South holding a majority of possession thanks to Nathan Letts and Amir Abdi in the midfield. After the break South continued to pile the pressure on the Olympic defence earning repeated corners and scoring opportunities.
The first goal of the match came with Spencer dribbling past three defenders, his shot unable to be held by the Olympic keeper and the ball rolling across the line. His second just a few minutes later from a free kick flew through the four-man wall into the bottom right of the net.
In the final minutes Brisbane Olympic secured multiple corners trying to get themselves on the scoresheet. The efforts of defender Brad Pinkett and keeper Nathan Meneses held strong walking away with a clean sheet.
The two goals delivered South Melbourne a resounding victory. The team recording a win in the inaugural match of the National Blind Football Series.
Speaking to smfc.com.au, Brendan Spencer said “It was a hard-fought match against Olympic. The skill, the intensity, the camaraderie really showed through with the way we supported and encouraged one another. I am really proud of myself in being able to score those two goals and it has shown the hard work I’ve put toward the game in the gym and on the training track has really paid off.”
Team Captain Amir Abdi reflected on the support from the club saying “South Melbourne has been a great support to us. They see us as friends and members of the club, giving us a real sense of belonging. We can socialise together, attend events at the club and have them come and watch us play. It gives us energy to keep trying, get better and have a good future for Australian blind football.”
“I am proud of what South Melbourne has been able to achieve through its all abilities football program. We recognise the importance sport can play in everyday life, bringing people from different walks of life together through football and we aim to provide an inclusive environment around the club to achieve this. Our all abilities program started four years ago with our powerchair team and last year expanded to include blind and vision impaired football. There have been many successes to the program the latest of which we’ve seen this weekend making history by participating in and winning the first match in the National Blind Football Series.” said South Melbourne FC President Nicholas Maikousis.
The Series returns to Melbourne in July where South and Olympic will face off once again. The series and the accompanying national training camps are preparing the players who travel to India in October to compete in the Asian Cup.
You can read more about the South Melbourne FC blind football program here: https://www.smfc.com.au/blind-football/
Blind and vision impaired footballers will return to the pitch in late April for their 2022 campaign.
The South Melbourne FC Blind Football Team trains on a regular basis to prepare players for National Team Training Camps and for the future introduction of a competitive league. The squad trains under a
qualified Blind Football coach on a fortnightly basis between April and September. All training is overseen by Australian Blind Football to ensure our players can reach the highest standard they can.
Whilst we actively support our players to reach the standard to join the national squad, we place a greater emphasis on welcoming new players to the sport. Not everyone wants to play competitively so we provide an environment for social football and those who want to learn the game.
We have a number of participants, including children, who are trying the sport for the first time or join us for some casual activities. To achieve this we run free come-and-try sessions at least monthly in Albert Park.
The South Melbourne FC Powerchair team will travel to Sydney in late April to compete in the 2022 APFA Australian Club Championship.
This will be the third time the club has competed at the national level since being formed in 2018. The team will feature club President Craig Kilby and be lead by Captain Shaun Mott and Vice Captain Chris Kessaris.
The team aims to achieving its most competitive performance to date at the Championship coming of the back of a significant development period. Whilst playing opportunities over the last two years under the pandemic have been difficult, things have really ramped up over the last six months. Coached by the Australian national team Assistant Coach Robert Wright, the squad has been playing on the weekend and more importantly been having additional weekly training sessions to focus their skills and team work.
Powerchair Club President Craig Kilby said “I am really excited to be returning to Sydney. The Australian Club Championships provide us an opportunity to compete against the best powerchair football teams in Australia. We look forward to delivering a competitive result for South Melbourne FC.”
The six day event will commence on Thursday 28 April at the QuayCentre at Sydney Olympic Park.
Western United proposed .\ League Mens matches moved away from Lakeside
South Melbourne FC can confirm that the proposed Western United FC home matches at Lakeside Stadium for the A-League Mens 2021/22 season have been moved to AAMI Park.
SMFC President Nicholas Maikousis – “We welcome the outcome in this matter and acknowledge the consultative approach to bring this issue to a suitable conclusion”.
The club thanks all parties for a swift resolution and wishes Western United all the best moving forward.
South Melbourne FC rejects the plans of Western United FC to use Lakeside Stadium
South Melbourne FC notes the announcement by Western United FC of its intention to use Lakeside Stadium for a select number of games in the 2021/22 A-League Season.
Lakeside Stadium and Albert Park is the home of South Melbourne FC and has been for over sixty years. Our licencing arrangements with Lakeside Stadium and the State Government ensures it will remain this way for decades to come.
South Melbourne FC has a stadium, we have a home and we are proud to call it our own.
Executives at Lakeside Stadium and Melbourne Sports Centres have advised South Melbourne FC that contrary to the announcement made by Western United FC, there is no written or signed agreement in place with Western United FC or the Australian Professional Leagues to allow Western United FC access to Lakeside Stadium for the 2021/22 A-League Season.
South Melbourne considers Western United to be a direct competitor in the Melbourne, Victorian and Australian football market. Their acceptance to the A-League was based largely on the commitment to having a purpose-built football stadium constructed in Melbourne’s west. It is approaching three years since the A-League expansion clubs were announced and construction works have still not commenced. Western United’s use of Lakeside Stadium is not acceptable and South Melbourne FC will vigorously oppose any such plans.
South Melbourne can confirm that it will be exercising all rights to prevent Western United FC from playing A-League matches at Lakeside Stadium.
The club will provide its members, players, parents and supporters with further updates as information is available .
South Melbourne leading the way developing blind footballers
Representatives of South Melbourne FC at he launch of the National Para Fives Series
The journey to the Paris 2024 Paralympics kicked off last weekend for blind footballers in Australia with the launch of the National Para 5s Series.
The partnership between Australian Blind Football and Paralympics Australia will bring together the best blind footballers from around the country four times a year for national training camps. The camps, based in Melbourne, will feature players from five clubs, the largest of which is locals South Melbourne FC.
The South Melbourne FC all abilities football program commenced at the Albert Park based club in 2018 when Chairman Bill Papastergiadis signed off on the formation of a powerchair football team. Fast forward three years and the program has been expanded to embrace blind and vision impaired footballers.
“Our aim is to offer the most diverse and inclusive All Abilities Football program in Australia. Our program embraces footballers of any age, any gender, any culture and any ability. The announcement of the National Para 5s Series will enable our blind footballers to play for and represent South Melbourne on the national stage” Papastergiadis said.
South Melbourne Chairman Bill Papstergiadis and President Nicholas Maikousis at the launch of the National Para Fives Services for Australian Blind Football
The squad trains regularly in Albert Park under the guidance of coach Ankit Singh with the support of Australian Blind Football. The link between blind football and South Melbourne extends further with former club NSL footballer Sebastian Petrovic serving as the only internationally qualified blind football referee in Australia and regularly helping mentor the clubs’ blind footballers.
“We are able to utilise the club facilities and the experience of our coaching team to provide our blind footballers with a fantastic development opportunity. They train side-by-side with vision imapaired players on Sunday mornings preparing for the national training camps. Our program is designed for everyone however and we welcome those who are looking for some exercise or something new to try. Together with Football Victoria and Blind Sports Victoria we offer free introductory sessions bringing new participants to the game” said Skip Fulton, Football Coordinator of the All Abilities Program.
All Abilitiers Coordinator Skip Fulton with President Nicholas Maikous and blind footballer Amir Abdi
Featuring three members of the Australian national team, the South Melbourne squad played an exhibition match against Olympic FC from Brisbane as part of the announcement in front of the media on Sunday. The National Para 5s Series will provide the first opportunity for competitive blind football in Australia bringing together South Melbourne, Olympic FC, Adelaide Comets and Perth SC.
“I am incredibly proud of the program we have put together and the opportunities it provides to so many members of our footballing community. We are building on sixty years of football heritage and it is exciting to see South Melbourne competing on the national stage in this form of the world game.” said club President Nicholas Maikousis.
The National Para 5s Series will commence in June with South Melbourne FC taking on Olympic FC in the first fixture.
Blind football players of South Melbourne FC and Brisbane Olympic FC
Tickets for the 2021 SMFC Community Raffle are available to be purchased from the Club on Match Days, at training sessions in Albert Park and from players/parents and club officials.
Tickets are $20 each
Raffle Prizes & Winners
$5,000 voucher at chosen retail outlet – Winner: Nerida Hutchison
Travel voucher to Greece (valued at $2,000) supplied by Consolidated Travel – Winner: Georgia Van Dooren
4 night Daylesford Escape Accommodation (valued at $1,500) supplied by Sitetech Solutions – Winner: Shark Glass
Framed Limited Edition SMFC Anniversary Jersey, numbered 10 of 100 (valued at $1,000) – Winner: Andrew Mesourouni
1 night accommodation package at Bayview Eden Hotel including breakfast for two (valued at $750) – Winner: Jen Martinico
XBox plus Ultimate Game Pass (valued at $550) supplied by Cloudstrike Telstra Oakleigh – Winner: Marijo Bosnjak
Essential Oils Hamper (valued at $450) supplied by MrOils.com.au – Winner: George Theonas
Glassware Parker Gallery (valed at $380) supplied by Sitetech Solutions – Winner: Manni Nadal
BenQ Speaker System (valued at $300) – Winner: Nicholas Katsikas
Dinner Voucher to Gradi Italisn Restaurant at Crown Melbourne (valued at $150) – Winner: Agatha Gourlias
Raffle Draw and Notification
Please note the raffle draw date due to be drawn on the 24/4, will be drawn on the 4/5, FA cup night, due to parents not being able to hand in their sold tickets on time. Please make sure all books sold are handed back to your team manager this week. All winners will be notified
All winners will be contacted directly and notifications will be posted on this page on our website and communicated via our social media channels.
Raffle Proceeds
Funds raised in the 2021 SMFC Community Raffle will be used to support these programs
Chris Kessaris – Powerchair Footballer for South Melbourne FC
Powerchair Football
Powerchair football is a modified version of football (soccer) for powerchair (electric wheelchair) users. It is played on a regulation basketball court using a 33cm ball. There are two teams of four players (including the goal keeper).
South Melbourne FC has two teams and we compete in the Victorian Powerchair League which is managed by Powerchair Sports Victoria. The club tracvels to compete in the Australian Club Championships in Sydney each year. The Victorian Powerchair League is running from February to June in 2021.
We welcome all ages, all genders and all abilities to join us. You can read more information about this program and how to participate on our Powerchair Football page. You can keep up-to-date with the teams activities on their Facebook page.
Amir Abdi – Blind Footballer for South Melbourne FC and the Australian National Team
Blind Football
Blind Football (B1) is an internationally recognised sport played at the Paralympics. It is played outdoors by athletes who are totally blind (B1) on a 40m x 20m pitch with side kickboards and an audible ball. There are two teams of five; four outfield players and a goalkeeper. The outfield players wear eye-shades to equal their sight and the goalkeeper can be fully or partially sighted.
South Melbourne FC has a blind football team which trains and competes in the National Para 5’s series scheduled to be introduced in June 2021. Players also attend National Training Camps held four times a year to earn a place in the Australian Paralympic squad.
We welcome anyone who is blind, of all ages, all genders and all abilities to join us. You can read more information about this program and how to participate on our Blind Football page. You can keep up-to-date with the teams activities on their Facebook page.
Steve Obeid – Vision Impaired Footballer for South Melbourne FC and the Austrlaian National Team
Vision Impaired Football
Partially sighted/vision impaired football (B2/B3) is played by athletes who are vision impaired with rules similar to futsal with particular attention towards ensuring equal light on the court and utilising a futsal ball that provides good contrast with the playing surface.
There is not currently a league for South Melbourne FC to compete in for vision impaired football. Our players train regularly to prepare themselves to represent Victoria in the Partially Sighted Futsal National Championships.
We welcome anyone who is vision impaired, of all ages, all genders and all abilities to join us. You can read more information about this program and how to participate on our Vision Impaired Football page. You can keep up-to-date with the teams activities on their Facebook page.
African Refugee Program
South Melbourne FC has a vision for the future and part of that vision needs emerging and dynamic young African Australian footballers. To do so the club has created a bursary program to assist these footballers in achieving their dreams.
This is part of the SMFC focus on community development that extends beyond football and reaches deep into the lives of community members ofVictoria’s culturally diverse communities.
The blind football team at the South Melbourne Football Club put in a dominating performance to defeat Brisbane Olympic FC 2-0 at The Hangar.
South Melbourne FC rejects the plans of Western United FC to use Lakeside Stadium
