The Inner West Hawks FC officially launched their 2025 season with a vibrant celebration at Club Five Dock RSL on Wednesday, February 12.
Players, sponsors, families, and community leaders came together to mark the occasion, reinforcing the club’s legacy, community spirit, and ambitions for the future.
The event highlighted the club’s strong ties to the Cyprus Community of NSW, with board members from both organisations in attendance.
Emcee and operations manager Phillip Phillips opened the evening by recognising the dedication of volunteers who make the club thrive.
Club President George Phillips followed with an inspiring address, reflecting on the club’s journey from its founding in 1978 as Cyprus United Soccer Club to its current identity as the Inner West Hawks. He welcomed players, families, and supporters, emphasising that “football is not just a game, it’s a journey… a journey of discipline, teamwork, passion and resilience.”
The Club President also spoke of the club’s history, noting that while it was founded by Greek Cypriots, “Inner West Hawks represents the diversity of modern Australia that reflects the ever-changing communities of Sydney’s Inner West and Australia overall.”
A strong connection to the Cypriot community
Cyprus Community of NSW President Michael Kyriakou spoke about the long-standing relationship between the Hawks and the Cypriot community, highlighting the club’s roots and its continued presence as a pillar of multicultural football in Australia.
Mr Kyriacou noted how Cypriots have contributed to the sport in Australia for decades, well before the club’s official founding in 1978.
“We’re proud to have a… continued association with the sports club,” he said, reaffirming the community’s support for the Hawks.
Honouring a true Hawks legend
A special moment of the evening was the recognition of Panteli Christou, a 92-year-old lifelong supporter of the Hawks. A familiar figure at Arlington Oval, Christou is known for attending multiple games in a single day, arriving early in the morning and staying until the last match has been played.
His passionate presence on the sidelines, often offering commentary and encouragement to players, has made him a beloved part of the Hawks family. In honour of his unwavering dedication, he was awarded a Life Membership Badge, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd.
Football wisdom from a Socceroo legend
A highlight of the night was a special guest appearance by former Socceroo and Hawks player Mark Bosnich, who delivered an engaging speech, sharing insights from his career and offering valuable advice to the club’s young players.
Bosnich shared three key principles that guided his own football journey. He first emphasised the importance of enjoyment, telling players, “If you’re doing something that you enjoy, you will do it better, trust me.”
He also spoke about the value of empathy, explaining that “if you have empathy and you can understand your teammates, you know which foot to pass it to them. You know whether or not to put a ball in behind for them because they’ve got great pace… It’s knowing the strengths and weaknesses of each other, of your teammates.”
Finally, he stressed the need for focus, recalling a lesson from Sir Alex Ferguson, “Your concentration, your breathing… and enjoy yourselves.”
Bosnich also expressed his strong support for the club’s continued growth and encouraged players and their families to remain united in their passion for football.
“You’ve got a direct line to me now for anything… Clubs like Inner West Hawks are the future of our game, and it’s important that everybody feels like they have a voice,” he said.
The evening wrapped up with a lively dinner and a performance by a talented bouzouki player, adding a festive touch to the occasion. With the new season now officially underway, the Inner West Hawks FC community is looking ahead to another year of passion, hard work, and success both on and off the pitch.
*All photos copyright The Greek Herald.
