Sydney Olympic FC set the stage for an exciting 2024 National Premier Leagues (NPL) season with a entertaining launch event.
The event commenced with a heartening address from the club’s President, Damon Hanlin. He expressed his delight at the youthful and fresh appearance of the teams, emphasizing the pride he feels for a club he has been a part of for eight years. He acknowledged the club’s rich 67-year history but passionately conveyed the message that the club is now geared towards a new and promising future with the National Second Division on the horizon in 2025.
Highlighting the significant milestone, Mr Hanlin expressed gratitude to the key figures, including Simon Hill as the evening’s MC, CEO Lawrie McKinna, Board member Matt Phelps and first grade coaches Labinot Haliti, Geoff Abrahams, and the supporting staff for their efforts.
The event proceeded with a panel discussion led by well-known pundit Mr. Hill, which included former Socceroo Marshall Soper, newly retired Will Angel, Fábio Ferreira, and football veteran Anthony Doumanis. When thinking back on his time spent with Olympic in the 1980s, Mr. Soper talked about the club’s prestige, his delight in having contributed to its lengthy history, and the fact that he will always be a trailblazer for the organisation. Mr. Doumanis expressed optimism for Sydney Olympic’s return to the national arena in 2025 and talked about his experiences playing with football legends Troy Halpin, Ante Juric, and Kresimir Marusic.
Fábio Ferreira, who announced his retirement from Olympic in 2023 following an incredible career, expressed his unwavering support for the team and mentioned the close relationships he had built there. Will, who recently retired,
Mr. Hill led the discussion and got Soper to describe the situation of the game in Australia right now. Soper emphasised the accomplishments of the Matildas, naming them as the most recognisable figures in Australian football and the team currently winning the league.
When Angelica Georgopoulos revealed the club’s latest cultural endeavour, the renovated Sydney Olympic kit, the ceremony took an artistic turn. Using a creative approach, 21-year-old Kayleb Gama designed the piece, aiming to combine current aesthetics with the club’s historic traditions to create a visual depiction of the multicultural ethos that has fueled Australian football fans’ passion for the game. In addition to honouring the club’s heritage, he wanted the uniform to symbolise Australia’s many immigrant populations.
First-grade men’s coach Mr. Haliti, first-grade women’s coach Mr. Abrahams, first-grade women’s player Brianna Oliverio, and first-grade men’s player George Timotheou participated in the second panel discussion. Mr. Abrahams talked about new signings and improvements for the forthcoming season, while Ms. Oliverio voiced her excitement for the entry of women into the second tier. Timotheou emphasised his mentoring role with the younger squads, while Haliti focused on recent victories in both the Greek Herald Cup and the Hellenic Cup in Brisbane.
Mr. McKinna conveyed his appreciation to the club’s sponsors, who he believed were crucial to its success. Raffle prizes were picked by representatives of Sydney Olympic FC’s sponsor, Simon Curwood Jewellers, adding a thrilling touch to a night that was brimming with excitement for the team’s upcoming 2024 NPL season.
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