SMFC welcome Bank of Sydney as 2021 Principal Partner

South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce that Bank of Sydney has joined the Club as a Principal Partner and as the Club’s official Bank Partner for the 2021 National Premier League Victoria season.

Bank of Sydney has local branches in Melbourne CBD, Oakleigh and Northcote and offers its customers true and personal relationship banking as well as competitive products and services to help them reach their financial goals.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, SMFC Club President Nicholas Maikousis welcomed Bank of Sydney back to the SMFC family for the upcoming season. “Bank of Sydney have been tremendous partners of our club throughout the past decade and we are thrilled to have them back on board for this season. We thank Miltos Michaelas (CEO), Theo Kelidis (State Manager – Vic) and their team for their continued support.”

We are very proud to renew our support and partnership with SMFC for another year. We cherish the Club’s history that brought the community together for over 50 years and we are pleased to support them as they continue to grow. We wish them best of luck for this year’s National Premier League Victoria,’ said Miltos Michaelas, CEO of Bank of Sydney.

South Melbourne leading the way developing blind footballers

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.

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.

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.

2021 SMFC Community Raffle

 

 

Raffle Ticket Sales

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

1. $5,000 voucher at chosen retail outlet     –     Winner: Nerida Hutchison
2. Travel voucher to Greece (valued at $2,000) supplied by Consolidated Travel     –     Winner: Georgia Van Dooren
3. 4 night Daylesford Escape Accommodation (valued at $1,500) supplied by Sitetech Solutions     –     Winner: Shark Glass
4. Framed Limited Edition SMFC Anniversary Jersey, numbered 10 of 100 (valued at $1,000)     –     Winner: Andrew Mesourouni
5. 1 night accommodation package at Bayview Eden Hotel including breakfast for two (valued at $750)    –     Winner: Jen Martinico
6. XBox plus Ultimate Game Pass (valued at $550) supplied by Cloudstrike Telstra Oakleigh    –     Winner: Marijo Bosnjak
7. Essential Oils Hamper (valued at $450) supplied by MrOils.com.au    –     Winner: George Theonas
8. Glassware Parker Gallery (valed at $380) supplied by Sitetech Solutions    –     Winner: Manni Nadal
9. BenQ Speaker System (valued at $300)    –     Winner: Nicholas Katsikas
10. 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

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

South Melbourne FC is pleased to confirm that forward Josh Barresi will be joining the club in the upcoming registration window for the 2021 NPL Victoria season.

He joins the club following a stint with Campbelltown in the South Australian NPL, where he played a pivotal role in the club reaching and winning the championship in 2020. This included scoring the opening goal in the Grand Final

Prior to this, he would be well known to South fans having played for both Bentleigh and Green Gully, including being part of the 2019 Championship winning squad for the Greens.

Barresi is a player who will add another versatile option anywhere in the front third. He can play as a striker, winger or in the creative midfield role just behind the attackers.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, Senior Football Director Andrew Mesourouni was thrilled to have Josh on board for 2021. “Josh is an outstanding footballer who we hope can add creativity and another attacking threat to our front half. He has tasted success in the last two seasons and with that experience and wining mentality we are excited to welcome him to our squad.”

We look forward to seeing Josh in his new colours in a few weeks once the transfer period opens up.

Scoring on debut in the FFA Cup

On Saturday the Senior Men’s team travelled to Grange Reserve in Hoppers Crossing to take on Werribee City FC in the clubs first qualifying round for the 2021 FFA Cup

Coach Esteban Quintas provided a number of players with their competitive debut in the Senior Men’s team. Sasha Murphy and James Burgess both started on the pitch in the FFA cup qualifier and featured heavily throughout the fixture. A solid performance over the ninety minutes saw a robust defensive effort resulting in a cleansheet, Burgess being unbeaten in goal. Up front it was an attacking foray with constant attacks into the final third. Six times the ball found the net with Zac Bates leading the charge. Bates would score twice securing his brace and he was backed up by Henry Hore, Freddie Sey and skipper Brad Norton.

 

Off the bench, 17 year old young gun Yianni Panakos was the third player making his debut and he was thrown straight into the mix by Coach Quintas and Captain Norton. With the referee having blown the whistle for a penalty, Panakos was handed the responsiblity and honour of taking the spot kick. He slid the ball into the bottom right of the net and in doing so recorded name in the record books as having scored on debut for the Senior team.

Senior Team Manager Kris Peladrinos spoke to Panakos after the match, asking him to share his thoughts on the experience. “There’s no better feeling really than scoring a goal. Pre-seaon I got my first one in a friendly and now to get one in a competitive game really hits the heart. The instructions from Esteban prior to coming on to the pitch were just to be myself. Do my thing in the final third but also work hard defensively” he said.

Peladrinos also reflect on Panakos’ journey at the club indicating that he joined the club almost a decade ago. He started with the Under 9s and having been a consistent performer throughout the years in the NPL Youth program culminating as a member of the 2019 Championship winning Under 20s squad.

The 0-6 win over Werribee City FC in the FFA Cup qualifier progresses the club through to the next round. A mid-week fixture between April 26 and May 7 will be the next opportunity to share the ‘Magic of the Cup’. Football Victoria has not yet announced the date of the FFA Cup draw for Round 5 however it is expected to occur on Monday 12th April.

 

 

South Melbourne FC recorded a win on Friday evening in its first outing in the 2021 Nike FC Cup

The Women’s State Knockout Cup reached its third round for the year on Easter weekend with clubs from the National Premier League making their first appearance. South Melbourne FC drew an away fixture and travelled to Jubilee Park to face off against Ringwood City FC.

Sublime conditions greeted both teams leading to a tactical first half of football. South on the attack and Ringwood defending stoutly. Numerous opportunties presented themselves however the girls in blue were unable to find the net until Lucy Johnson fired a long range rocket into the bottom right of the net. South would lead 0-1 at the break.

In the second half the game opened up with more free flowing passing and wide play using both the left and right sides. Janna Lawson proved elusive for the Ringwood defence on the right making nunerous plays into the penalty area. It was Lucy Johnson again who found the net to double the lead with the teams third goal being created by another terrific run by Lawson setting up Candela Ferrreya Bas for the tap in.

Three goals to the good and the result secured, coach Samuel Young turned to the bench to provide match time for the club’s youth players. Mila Diliberto, Khadija Izaz, Emilie Keppens,  Talisa Soto and Goal Keeper Evie Bowen all from the Under 17s came on making their Senior football debuts.

Speaking to smfc.com.au after the match, Captain Jenna Lawson said “I don’t think we started the way we wanted to. I think the first half was a little bit messy and we didn’t make the most of our opportunities. We weren’t as quick in transition as we would have liked to have been. Going into half time at one nil probably wasn’t where we wanted to be. We resurrected that in the second half and finished strongly which is good going into round one next week.”

“I was a good effort across the board, we all had our moments. Some better than others. Lucy was really strong in the midfield., Zoe at the back, clean sheet obviously a good thing and we were creating opportunities on both sides. Our Under 17 players came on., one nearly scored and one nearly got an assist so a great effort from them on their senior debut.” she said.

The Senior Women will commence their WNPL campaign on Monday 12th April at the Veneto Club taking on FC Bulleen Lions. Kick off at 8.15pm.  The Youth Girls teams travel to Kingston Health next week to take on Bayside United in Round 6 of their season.

Photos by Cindy Nitsos

 

Blind and vision impaired football kicked off at South Melbourne for 2021 on the weekend.

Tuesday 30 March 2021

In partnership with Australian Blind Football, the club hosted a coaches training session. The aim was to equip coaches and volunteers with the skills to understand the game and how to adapt to effectively communicate with and coach blind and vision impaired players.

The three hour course was undertaken at the synethic pitch in Albert Park. Using audible footballs and portable goals, the players were able to return to football for the first time since December 2020 and participate in the coaching education.

Speaking to smfc.com.au the clubs Football Coordinator of All bilities Programs Skip Fulton said “today was a really great start to the year and for the program in general. We had over fiften people involved from players to volunteers to coaches. Our youngest participant Mikhail came down for the very first time to try it out and he loved it.”

“Our program will see training sessions for blind and vision impaired players run from now all the way through until October. We want to prepare the players for matches against other state teams including the likes of Brisbane Olympic, Adelaide Comets and Perth SC. Furthermore there are four National Training Camps this year and with national selection looming we want our South Melbourne squad to be best situated to get a place in the Australian squad.”

The blind and vision impaired football activities are just one aspect of the clubs broader All Abilities Program. South Melbourne FC aims to present the most diverse and inclusive All Abilities Football program in Australia. The club embraces the Football Victoria strategy of Football4All recognising that sport is about fairness and equality, respect and dignity.

We welcome anyone who has a physical or intellectual disability, 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 All Abiliities Football page.

 

South Melbourne FC can confirm that young gun Sasha Murphy has been elevated to the senior roster following an outstanding pre-season campaign.

The versatile wingback / winger has been a prominent member of the Under 20s championship winning squads and has impressed everyone through our extensive
pre-season campaign.

The youngster is joined by Yianni Panakos, Esad Saglam and Jayden Iliovski who have been added to an extended senior squad as train ons. The quartet have been with the senior squad for a large part of the pre-season and have played in numerous matches in that period.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, Senior Football Director Andrew Mesourouni was excited at adding more youth to the squad. ‘Firstly I would like to welcome Sasha as a senior footballer. His work rate, attitude and willingness to push himself has been noticed by the coaching staff and his efforts in pre-season have been rewarded with this opportunity. He is a versatile player that can assist on either wing both in a defensive and attacking aspect, so we look forward to seeing him continue his development in a senior environment throughout the year.

We are also thrilled to add three more boys from our Under 20s to our extended squad who have also impressed throughout the pre-season in their time at training and matches for our senior team.”

South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce the signing of Candela Ferreyra Bas for the 2021 NPLW Victoria season.

Ferreyra Bas returns to football after a season playing footy, with the former Gold Medal Winner keen to make her mark at Lakeside.

Candela is a hard-working and versatile attacking player, who can dominate matches in the midfield, as well as create and score in the front third.

As a former captain of Southern United and one of the finest players in the NPLW Victoria competition, we are also looking forward to seeing her link up with our exciting squad.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, SMFC Senior Coach Samuel Young was excited with his latest acquisition. “Candy has been with us throughout pre-season and she has impressed everyone with her energy and work rate. She will add a different dimension to our midfield and we’re excited to have her in our squad.”

Also speaking to smfc.com.au, SMFC Women’s Football Director Gabrielle Giuliano also welcomed Candela to the club. “It is always great to bring talented footballers into the club and Candela is no exception. We have seen her play some outstanding football in the NPLW and are keen to see her emulate that form in a South shirt.