Turnbull and Tsacos to lead Under 15 girls.

South Melbourne FC is happy to announce its coaching team for the Under 15 NPL girls team in 2023.

John Turnbull will be returning to the coaching team for the second year running having joined the club in 2022 from his previous role as the Senior Women’s Coach at Port Melbourne SC.

Joining him as coach of the Under 15s will be Christie-Lee Tsacos. Christie joins us after a successful season leading Wesley College to their first ever APS title. An experienced player, Christie played for Adelaide Sensation in the National Soccer League and for over ten years in the South Australian Premier League, captaining Metro United.

South Melbourne Women’s Football Director Theo Chronis said “I’m excited to welcome Christie to South Melbourne and have her join John in leading our Under 15 girls in 2023. Christie has extensive experience as a player at the elite level and having coached Wesley College I look forward to seeing her share her football journey with our young players.”

John and Christie will be looking to build on a successful 2022 for our Under 15s where they made the Grand Final narrowly going down in a penalty shoot-out.

Online abuse of any kind is not acceptable.

The South Melbourne Football Club has been made aware of comments by individuals in the Victorian football community targeted at Football Victoria staff and officials in recent days.

The club condems all forms of abuse, discrimination and violence including comments made on social media.

South Melbourne FC endorses and embraces Football Victoria’s values of Respect, Integrity, Unity, Leadership and Inclusive.

The club is obligated to comply with the Football Victoria Grievance, Disciplinary and Tribunal ByLaws. The club is responsible for the actions of its players, officials, staff and supporters. Significant penalties for both the individual and the club can be applied, including misconduct charges for social media comments. These can include financial penalties as well as point deductions. The ByLaw also includes a positive obligation for our club to cooperate with any investigation directed by Football Victoria including the identification of players, offiicals, staff and supporters.

Penalties for this type of abuse may stretch beyond the game, with strict laws and criminal penalties for online harassment and intimidation and circumstances such as this may be referred to police.

We actively discourage any South Melbourne FC player, official, staff or supporter from engaging in such behaviour. Individuals making abusive, discriminatory or violent comments including on social media are not representative of the the South Melbourne Football Club.

We also take this opportunity to provide a reminder of the Spectator’s Code of Conduct for all those attending the Grand Final this weekend.

FOOTBALL VICTORIA SPECTATORS’ CODE OF CONDUCT

Football Victoria’s priority is to ensure all spectators are able to enjoy football in a safe and comfortable environment.

Accordingly, by entering this venue, you agree to be bound by the terms of this Spectator Code of Behaviour; the Venue Conditions of Entry and FV’s Member
Protection and Misconduct By-Laws. All persons present at an FV event shall:

1. Respect the decisions of the Match Officials;
2. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person regardless of their race, colour, religion, language, ability, politics, sexual orientation, or national
   or ethnic origin;
3. Not engage in the use of violence in any form, whether it is by other Spectators, Team Officials (including coaches) or Players;
4. 4. Not engage in discrimination, harassment or abuse in any form, including but not limited to the use of obscene or offensive language or gestures, the incitement of hatred or violence, or indecent or racist chanting;
5. Comply with FV’s “Conditions of Entry” at all venues;
6. Not carry, light or throw flares or missiles (including on to the field of play or at other spectators);
7. Not enter the field of play or its surrounds without lawful authority; and 8. Conduct themselves in a manner that enhances, rather than injures, the
   reputation and goodwill of FV, Football Federation Australia (FFA) and football generally.

Any person who does not comply with this Code or who in the opinion of FV causes or attempts to cause a disturbance may be asked to leave and may be prohibited from attending future FV run events and/or programs. FV reserves the right to investigate any breaches of this Spectator Code of Conduct and may issue penalties in accordance with its rules and policies as appropriate, including sanctions as per the Grievance, Discipline and Tribunal (GDT) By-Law, and the deduction of match points to the respective team, and finals eligibility.

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.

George Georgiadis  to lead South Women in 2023

South lift trophy in National Blind Football Series

Photos: Luke Radziminski Behind The Lens – LMR

Our blind team today were crowned Australian Champions in the National Blind Football Series.

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.

Club Statement – Senior Women’s Team

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/