South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce the appointment of former player Strati Xynas as the Club’s new Technical Director for the 2016 National Premier League season.
Xynas joined South as a junior player in the Under 7s and progressed through the various age groups to eventually make a few appearances for the senior team in the mid 1980s. Whilst he was limited in senior appearances, Strati featured in South’s State League team in the 1980s. Some of the players he played with included current Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou and current FFV President Kimon Taliadoros.
After retiring from football, Xynas began to coach young and aspiring footballers. He became a Youth Coach at SMFC and also played an active role with the Middle Park Soccer Club for a few years. He became the Coaching Director at the Archie Thompson Football School and also played a leading role in the Nike Football Academy Program, which identifies some of Australia’s best football talent across the whole country.
Xynas holds an A-License and is an SMFC Life Member that has been attending matches and supporting the Club for the best part of 40 years. It is through this love of the Blue and White, combined with his coaching experience, that Strati is looking to take our Youth Program to another level, enabling SMFC to continue producing talented young players and ensuring that the SMFC brand and playing style is something that is distinct throughout each of our squads.
Speaking to smfc.com.au, Youth Director Andrew Mesourouni was excited about the appointment. “Strati is a driven, hard-working and very experienced individual that we all believe will be an asset to our club. He has only recently joined us but he has already done an excellent job in implementing our Trial and Spring Training programs. He has also started to work with Senior Coaches Chris Taylor (Men) and Socrates Nicolaidis (Women) as we prepare for the 2016 season.”
Xynas replaces the outgoing Technical Director Sean Gale, who has taken a role at Sunshine George Cross. We wish Sean all the best with his new move and welcome Strati as our new Technical Director.