Category: News

South Melbourne FC is delighted to announce that the club has been awarded a new licence to compete in the newly formulated Oceania Professional League, commencing in January 2026.

Over the past few months, the club has worked tirelessly on its bid, ensuring it was in the strongest possible position to be selected.

South Melbourne has long held strong ties with the region, having been honoured as the Oceania Club of the Century and producing and attracting football talent across Oceania for decades.

This new licence provides the opportunity for South Melbourne to continue to operate as a professional football club, delivering pathway opportunities for players through the Oceania Professional League, the soon-to-be-launched Australian Championship, and the National Premier Leagues.

Lakeside Stadium will play an important role as the hub for the Australian component of the competition. The state-of-the-art venue will not only showcase world-class football to our local community but also provide a platform for professional football to thrive across Oceania.

General Manager Strati Xynas said:
“This is a landmark moment for our club. To once again represent South Melbourne and Australia in an international competition is something we are incredibly proud of. Our participation in this newly formulated league will strengthen our ties with the region, and Lakeside Stadium will be a focal point for this exciting journey. Our impact will be felt both locally and across Oceania, and we are overjoyed by today’s news as we continue to be a point of difference in Australian football.”

Further details will be announced in due course.

Media enquiries can be directed to:
George Kouroumalis
multimedia@smfc.com.au

South Melbourne FC is proud to announce a new partnership with SCS Group, who join the club as the Official Commercial Cleaning Partner for SMFC Exclusive Areas at Lakeside Stadium.

SCS Group is not only supporting the club as a principal partner but will also play a key role in assisting our All Abilities program, further strengthening their commitment to the South Melbourne community.

As one of Australia’s leading commercial cleaning and soft services suppliers, SCS Group is driven by consistency, transparency, and clear communication. With a strong focus on quality customer service, safety, and environmental standards, their operations are built around measurable outcomes, ensuring clients receive exceptional results that exceed expectations.

South Melbourne FC General Manager, Strati Xynas, said:

“It’s great to have Nicholas and his team at SCS Group part of our club. They have already made a big impact through their work in maintaining our facilities and now have a wonderful opportunity to connect with the entire South family. We encourage anyone looking for a trusted commercial cleaning & integrated services provider to reach out to the team and ask about their service offerings and their generous referral program.”

SCS Group CEO, Nicholas Pastras, added:

“This partnership means a lot to me personally and professionally. My family has strong ties to South Melbourne, and being able to give back to the club and community in this way is something we are very proud of. Through SCS Group, we look forward to supporting not only the club and its members, but also the wider community, including important programs such as All Abilities. South Melbourne is a family club, and we’re excited to be part of that family.”

More on SCS Group and their services can be found at: www.scsgroup.com.au

South Melbourne Football Club is proud to announce its successful qualification for the inaugural Boys Victorian Youth Premier League, the highest tier in the junior boys’ football pyramid in Victoria.

Tass Roufos, Youth Football Director at South Melbourne FC, stated: “Our football programs have delivered outstanding outcomes throughout 2025. Securing Division 1 status across all levels, from Miniroos and Pre-NPL to JBNPL and Senior Men’s football, positions us uniquely to offer a genuine development pathway for our homegrown talent into senior football.”

The announcement comes as Football Victoria prepares to launch a restructured junior competition model in 2026, replacing the current JBNPL with a tiered system designed to unify club development, enhance technical standards, and optimise resource and facility use.

Senior Football Director Peter Kokotis added: “With the Australian Championship kicking off in October, this news arrives at a truly exciting time for South Melbourne as a National Football Club.

South Melbourne FC extends its congratulations to Technical Director Rinichi Mikami, the coaching staff, players, and volunteers whose dedication and commitment have made this achievement possible.

The new competition format aligns with Football Victoria’s strategic vision to strengthen development pathways, remove barriers to participation, and nurture emerging talent across the state.

Mr Mikami commented: “Next year we will have the platform to compete weekly against the best youth teams in Victoria and continue building on the hard work and progress made this year.”

“We now look forward to having 3 of our 4 JBNPL teams competing in the Finals Series, and a further congratulations to our U/16 team who went undefeated in their championship year.

Finally, The South Melbourne FC Board and Club President proudly acknowledge and congratulate Tass and Rinichi for their leadership and contribution to this milestone achievement.

South Melbourne FC proudly unveiled the Eras of Hellas mural on Saturday in the Social Club at Lakeside Stadium, celebrating the rich history of the club and the legends who have shaped its journey over the past 65 years.

Designed and produced by Kosta Drossos in collaboration with Kou Media and Yitonia, the mural honours a player from each era, recognising their loyalty, leadership and contribution to South Melbourne FC. It features John Bedford and John Margaritis from the 1960s, Jimmy Armstrong from the 1970s, Steve Blair from the 1980s, Paul Trimboli and Ange Postecoglou from the 1990s, Fernando De Moraes from the 2000s, Brad Norton from the 2010s, and in recognition of the women’s game, Natalie Martineau and Alex Cheal.

The launch was hosted by Neal Symons and Head of Football Peter Kokotis, with club legends and family members of those represented also in attendance, underlining the deep community ties and legacy of Hellas.

South Melbourne FC President, Nicholas Maikousis, said:

“South Melbourne FC has always been more than just a football club. It is a family, a community, and a home for generations of players, coaches and supporters. This mural captures the spirit of Hellas with loyalty, leadership and excellence, and pays tribute to those who helped build our story. We are proud to honour these legends and inspire the next generation at Lakeside Stadium.”

Head of Brand and Operations, George Kouroumalis, added:

“This club’s history is unmatched in Australian football and it was important for us to find a way to showcase that legacy inside our home. The mural not only celebrates the achievements of our greats, but also reminds everyone who walks into our Social Club of the responsibility and pride that comes with wearing the South Melbourne shirt”

Football Director, Peter Kokotis, said:

“Every name on this mural represents a chapter in the South Melbourne story. They are leaders who defined their eras and whose impact will never be forgotten. This tribute ensures their place in our club’s history will continue to inspire players and supporters for generations.”

South Melbourne FC Director, Tony Margaritis, said:

“This was about capturing the essence of our history and ensuring it lives visually within our club. It is something all South people and our members can be proud of.”

Special thanks also go to club historians John Kyrou and Paul Mavroudis, whose research and knowledge helped shape the mural’s historical accuracy and storytelling. The club extends its gratitude to Tony Margaritis for his vision and support in bringing this project to life. Alongside the mural, the club has also introduced a new wall of trophies and a detailed historical overview along the ramp leading into the Social Club. Together, these additions provide an enduring showcase of South Melbourne’s achievements and history, ensuring every player, member and supporter who enters Lakeside Stadium is reminded of the legacy of Hellas and the standards that define our club.

The Eras of Hellas mural now stands as a permanent tribute to the legends of the club and its enduring place as one of Australia’s most iconic football institutions.

Squad Update – Transfer Window Summary

With the confirmation of our final signing yesterday, South Melbourne FC can now confirm all squad movements and number allocations from the most recent transfer window:

INS
2. Brayden Spink (Gold Coast United)
10. Ren Nagamatsu (Eastern Lions)
14. Alex Menelaou (Melbourne Victory)
15. Yuzo Iwakami (Sperio Johoku, Japan)
30. Jake Charlston (Promoted from SMFC U23s)

OUTS
Rob Harding (Loan – Northcote City)
Jonathan Pithoulas (Manningham)
George Mells (Port Melbourne)
Zak Spiteri (Kingston City)
Gustav Moller (Released)

Additionally, Ross Archibald has been moved off the roster as he focuses on recovery from a long-term injury sustained earlier this season against Altona Magic.

Best of luck to those who have departed our club, and welcome to the new faces who join us as we continue to compete across four competitions for the remainder of the season.

DOUBLE HEADER AT LAKESIDE
Join us this Sunday at Lakeside Stadium for a massive day of football.

🕑 2:00 PM – South Melbourne Women vs Boroondara
🕔 5:00 PM – South Melbourne Men vs Melbourne Victory Youth

BUY TICKETS HERE

🎟️ TICKET PRICING
• Adults: $20.00
• Students / Pensioners / Concession: $15.00
• Children 12 & under: FREE (ID required)

ID checks to be conducted at entry.

🏟️ GAME DAY INFO
• Arrive early and carpool where possible
• South fans enter via normal entrance (pre-purchased via Futsal entry) Limited ticket sales cash / card at futsal only.
• Hellas Gold & SMFC Season Pass holders enter via Futsal entrance as per normal
• South VIP Sponsors enter via futsal / vip entry
• Victory fans (pre-paid only) enter via Gate 1 ONLY (Gates Open 4pm). Any Victory fan who tries to enter through the Futsal Entry will not be granted entry
• Victory fans will have 20 minutes to exit after the final whistle before South fans

🚨 ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY
• No national flags
• No flares or projectiles
• No face coverings (excluding medical masks)
• Offensive or antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated
• No Pass Outs

👮‍♂️ SECURITY NOTICE
• Face ID, perimeter surveillance and CCTV in full operation
• Security checks at entry and around ground
• Follow all venue rules and instructions from staff
• Respect volunteers, FV staff, security and police at all times

South Melbourne FC confirms that the club has parted ways with Senior Coach Esteban Quintas.

The Argentinean first joined the club’s senior setup in 2018 as an assistant coach, before stepping into the head coaching role in 2019. Over many years, Esteban has played a major role in the club’s direction, bringing a thorough approach and strong leadership to the senior program.

During his time in charge, South Melbourne secured several major honours:
🏆 Dockerty Cup – 2024
🏆 NPL Victoria Premiers – 2022, 2024
🇦🇺 Australia Cup Semi Finalist – 2024
🛡 Charity Shield – 2025

Across 131 league and finals matches, Esteban recorded 76 wins, 23 draws and 32 losses, including two Premierships, while in all competitions is was 158 games, 97 wins 23 draws 38 losses

Esteban’s legacy also includes a clear focus on youth development. His willingness to integrate players from the junior and U23 ranks into the senior squad helped lay the foundation for long-term success, giving young talent opportunities to grow in a professional environment.

We thank Esteban for his commitment, professionalism, and contribution to South Melbourne FC over many years. His work helped re-establish the club as a leader in Victorian football and a strong presence nationally.

Further coaching announcements will be made during the week.

We wish Esteban and his family all the very best for the future.