Author: SMFC Media

Daniel Girardi appointed as SMFC Technical Director

South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce the appointment of Daniel Girardi as the club Technical Director.

Girardi joined the club in October 2018 as Sporting Director to lead the youth program under the guidance of Head of Football Development, Michael Valkanis. Daniel will continue in this capacity and he now takes on the Technical Director role for our boys.

Daniel started playing at a young age in the juniors at Adelaide Blue Eagles where he rose through the ranks to feature in the the clubs senior team. He maintained his links to the club after his playing days serving as the Youth Technical Director for a number of years.

The AFC B Licence holder was recognised for his football knowledge, accumen and technical capability joining former South Melbourne player and Socceroo Michael Valkanis at Adelaide United FC. At the time Valkanis was the Head Coach of the youth program at United and Girardi worked for three years as Scout and Assistant Coach. The youth program under Valkanis at United has be acknowledged as one of the most productive in Australia in recent years with some twenty-seven players having gone through the program and progressed to senior A-League football.

Football Director Andrew Mesourouni spoke to smfc.com.au saying “I am pleased to be able to announce Daniel as our Technical Director. Daniel is implementing a new approach to our youth development program with Michael Valkanis and together they are leading the club in a new direction to facilitate the latest evolution of us producing the country’s next crop of talented players.”

Girardi replaces outgoing Technical Director Strati Xynas who, after serving the club for three years, resigned in December 2018 to pursue his football career overseas. We wish Strati the best with his future endeavours and welcome Daniel to the role.

Decision on South Melbourne FC bid for A-League expansion

To all players, parents, members and supporters,

Today at 11:49am I was contacted via phone by FFA Board Chairman Chris Nikou and FFA CEO David Gallop. I was advised one Melbourne-based bid was selected for an expanded A-League licence and this was the Western Melbourne Group. The full details on the A-League expansion was announced at an FFA media conference at midday today.

We are naturally disappointed the decision made by the FFA Board did not include South Melbourne to receive an expansion licence at this time. We are however cognisant of the Board’s difficult position making a decision considering the strengths of the various bids.

We are confident South Melbourne FC is and will remain a viable option for an A-League licence in the future. The preference of the Western Melbourne Group means our main supporter base and catchment area in the south and south-east of Melbourne remains unaffected by the expansion announcement today. We feel South Melbourne FC will continue to be an option for further expansion in the future.

We look forward to engaging with FFA Board members and management in the coming weeks and months to better understand the opportunities available to the club to further strengthen our position for the next round of A-League expansion.

We are a club with a proud 60-year history and we plan to be around beyond another 60 years. We will always embrace an ethos which embraces multicultural diversity, equally embraces women’s, men’s and youth development and encourages an environment where any club in the country can aspire to and reach the highest level in Australian football.

Our efforts to this point have been building for fourteen years and more specifically over the last twelve months. Investment has been made in resources to present our bid and these will not have been wasted as the club is in a stronger position as a result. As the only bid with an operating club and football department, we are able to capitalise on these efforts effective immediately.

I would like to acknowledge the contribution on my fellow bid team members and the leadership they have shown in this journey. I would also like to thank the broader South Melbourne family and the ongoing commitment of our players, parents, members and supporters who have and will continue to serve the club for years to come.

We recognise the positive and engaging support the South Melbourne FC community has provided throughout this process. We look forward to their unified voice supporting the club and our teams throughout 2019 and beyond. We will now turn all our attention to the coming season and continuing our success both on and off the pitch.

Whilst today was not our day, our time will come. We are here. We are ready. We are South Melbourne.

Regards

Bill Papastergiadis
Chairman, South Melbourne FC

South Melbourne FC is delighted to advise that Peter Kokotis has been appointed to the position of Football Manager (Senior Mens).

Peter has previously served the club in a number of roles, through assisting the Football Department over many years with recruitment, as well as a highly successful stint as South Melbourne’s General Manager during the period 2012-15.

Peter has extensive experience in the football industry, having worked as a talent scout and a player agent. Furthermore, his diverse roles and positions within football has allowed Peter to develop a wide network of contacts within the industry, both locally and overseas. Apart from his General Manager duties, Peter played an integral role in the Club that heralded a highly successful era of titles and trophies.

Talking to smfc.com.au, Peter said “It’s great to be back home in a role that I believe I can contribute strongly. Its an exciting era of change as we move forward tackling the many challenges we are facing in the ever changing and competitive football market. My role I see is not only to manage and support the football coaching staff in particular my life long friend senior coach Con Tangalakis but also help create the South Melbourne football DNA and culture that I believe needs cultivating again since we have entered the State and NPL leagues. I feel privileged to be back home with an opportunity to make a difference & I particularly thank our President-elect Nicholas Maikousis and board Director Andrew Mesourouni for their support.”

SMFC President-elect Nicholas Maikousis shared his thoughts with smfc.com.au on the appointment, saying “we are excited to be formally welcoming Peter back to the Club. His understanding and experience of the game will provide the Club with certainty that the football operations will remain in safe hands. We look forward to Peter working closely with the Senior Head Coach, as they seek to forge a new era of success at South Melbourne.”

In Memory of Lou Kokotis

South Melbourne FC is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mr Lou Kokotis.

Kokotis was President of Yarra Park FC, one of the three clubs that merged in 1959 to create South Melbourne Hellas. As well as being a former player at Yarra Park, Lou was one of the three club presidents that signed the agreement that established our Club.

Born in 1932 in Valimitika, Aigion Greece, Kokotis migrated to Australia and became a successful businessman in the entertainment and agricultural industries.

Mr Kokotis is uncle to former General Manager and recently appointed Football Manager (Senior Men) Peter Kokotis and cousin to fellow Yarra Park players & brothers Basil (father of Peter) & Perry Kokotis.

South Melbourne FC wishes to extend its deepest condolences to the Kokotis family.

 

 

South thanks and farewells Milos Lujic

South Melbourne FC can confirm the departure of striker Milos Lujic from the club.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, President elect Nicholas Maikousis said “Milos has been an integral part of the squad over the last five years. He has celebrated success with the team together with multiple individual accomplishments. I and the club wish Milos the best in his future football activities”.

Milos has provided the following message to South Melbourne players, members and supporters.

“South Melbourne FC has been a massive part of my life for the past 5 years.

I have played the best football of my career at SMFC and can look back with pride at what we achieved as a team.

I would like to thank all the staff, board members and team mates past and present. Without you I couldn’t of achieved what I did at such a big club like South.

I loved every minute of playing for SMFC and will always remember the fans chanting my name after every goal. I want to thank them for their unconditional support through the highs and lows.

The decision to leave wasn’t easy but I leave with my head held high that I gave 100% for the shirt every game.

I also understand that after last season the need for the club to rebuild & refresh the squad moving forward.

I sincerely wish the club all the best in the future.

Milos Lujic

SMFC #9”

In his five years at the club, Milos’ success was significant including:

Team Results

2014 – NPL Championship

2015 – NPL Premiership

2015 – Dockerty Cup

2015 – Community Shield

2016 – NPL Championship

Individual League Honours

2014 – NPL Player of the Year (Gold Medal)

2014 – NPL Players Player of the Year

2014 – NPL Golden Boot

2015 – NPL Golden Boot

2016 – NPL Golden Boot

Individual Club Honours

2014 – Golden Boot

2014 – Media Player of the Year

2015 – Golden Boot

2016 – Golden Boot

2016 – Club record for most individual league goals in a season (including finals)

2017 – Golden Boot

2018 – Golden Boot

South Board elects new President & Vice President

South Melbourne FC is proud to announce its Board has unanimously endorsed Nicholas Maikousis (President) and Gabrielle Giuliano (Vice President) to serve as leaders of the club.

The club has experienced stable administration over the past decade under Leo Athanasakis. Leo having announced his retirement as President, together with other changes being made means the Club will enter 2019 and its 60th Anniversary year with a new leadership team.

South members, players, parents and supporters will be familiar with both Nicholas and Gabrielle as they have both been involved in football and the club extensively over the years. They have committed to building on the proud history and strong foundation of the club and will bring a renewed focus on club culture, accountability and sound business acumen to drive the club in a new strategic direction.

The Board has formally appointed Nicholas Maikousis to the position of President and Gabrielle Giuliano to the position of Vice President at the last Board meeting.

Talking to smfc.com.au, Nicholas Maikousis said “This club has a rich history and I am proud to have the opportunity to serve as President. Four generations of my family have followed the club and I vividly remember when I first became involved in the club all those years ago. Over time I have seen how the culture and engagement of the players, coaches, staff, members and supporters has always been a critical component of its success. As we enter our 60th year, it is important to acknowledge the challenges we have faced, the opportunities we have been presented with and the success we have all enjoyed together.”

“I have confidence together with Gabrielle, existing and new board members, the club can embrace the necessary steps we need to take to establish a solid footing upon which we can launch our next successful football campaign. It is our responsibility to represent and act on behalf of the members to continually build and improve our business, whilst protecting the interests and assets of the Club” he said.

Gabrielle Giuliano also shared her thoughts on the future saying “South Melbourne is about to celebrate its 60th year and I am excited at the opportunity to be a part of the leadership team as we start to write the next chapter in the Clubs proud history. My vision has always been for our members to achieve and continuously experience excellence and enjoyment in their football journey. This applies equally to our players, parents, members and supporters. We are all involved in the club in different ways and we share a common bond, passion and commitment that comes with being a part of the South Melbourne family”.

“The club is experiencing a period of change and this provides the opportunity to reflect on the past but also reset for the future. It is an encouraging time for everyone to reconnect with the club and reinvigorate the culture that has and continues to bring us success both on and off the field” she said.

The Annual General Meeting is scheduled for late 2018 with the details to soon be announced.

South Melbourne Football Club can today announce the retirement of Board member and President, Leo Athanasakis.

The current board was made aware of his retirement late this week, with it being effective as of the 2018 Annual General Meeting to be held in December 2018.

In eleven years, Leo has many great achievements that will ensure his long lasting legacy at the club.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, long standing Board member Nick Maikousis thanked Leo for his service to the club & acknowledged the outgoing President’s contribution.

“Leo took the helm of our great club at a time when the club was re-establishing itself back in the State League & at a time that South faced numerous threats & challenges. His commitment & dedication, along with the long list of achievements should command respect from all club stakeholders. His legacy is something both he & his family should be very proud of. We look forward to seeing them all in the stands for years to come”.

Below is a letter from the outgoing president to fans and members of our club.

A new President will be selected by the Board.

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Letter from Leo Athanasakis

Dear Members, Sponsors, Fans & Players

I wish to advise that will be retiring from the Presidential post at the conclusion of the 2018 AGM which will be scheduled in December 2018.

I would like to thank you all for the great support you have given me as President over my 11 Years.

I am proud to have represented the club during this period as we have achieved so much on and off the park.

Including the following:

– A boutique, state-of-the-art stadium with multiple income streams.
– A home and social club for fans, owned and operated by SMFC.
– A Futsal Centre owned and Operated by SMFC
– Financially Stable with multiple revenue streams and partnerships
– Bipartisan Political Support
– Outstanding Womens Program
– “One Club Unification” with South Melbourne Womens Fc
– Victoria’s largest school football program
– Number One junior Football and NPL Program in Victoria.
– Strong links in Football’s emerging markets of China and the development of the Australia China Football Development Association.
– An unrivalled and outstanding A League Bid Submission.

Between now & our AGM, it is my objective to assist with the transition process to the new Board & leadership.

Regards,
Leo Athanasakis
President