By Dimitrios Kametopoulos
Nikos Stavropoulos – a young Greek from Sydney, specifically from the Greek-dominated suburb of Earlwood – is departing in the coming days for Greece, ready to spread his wings and showcase his athletic talent in his motherland, dedicating his passion to the goddess of all sports: football.
Tell us a bit about yourself, Nikos.
I am 18 years old. I used to go to the private school Christian Brothers at Lewisham. I finished Year 10 in 2022 because I then went to Italy with my football team, Apia Leichhardt, for the “Via Reggio” matches. After that, through an agency named “Target Sport,” I went to Greece for some trial matches at the OAKA (Olympic Athletic Centre of Athens) to be seen and tested for my football skills. I had sent the manager an Australian video of me playing football with Apia Leichhardt. I was successful, and the manager offered me a two-year contract with the agency. My mother, Ioanna, had come with me for the trials. Sometimes my mother and father Christos would come to support me with my endeavours. I was very happy!
Now, about my parents, my mother was born in South Africa with a South African mother (my maternal grandmother) and a Greek father from Kavala in Macedonia (my maternal grandfather). My father was born in Sydney, Australia, but his father (my paternal grandfather) is from the village of Ampelo near Akrata in the Peloponnese, and his mother (my paternal grandmother) is from Sitia in Crete. So, I’m a mix of everything: Macedonian, Peloponnesian, Cretan, South African, Australian, and, of course, very Greek! I have a brother, Dimitris, who is 16 years old, and a sister, Sofia, who is 13 years old.
Nikos, when did your love for football start?
I started loving football when I was 6 years old. Back then, I played for the Earlwood Wanderers team. From then on, I loved football because I liked getting better and feeling good about improving in this sport. I always tried to be the best I could from a young age. I started taking it seriously, and when I was 9 years old, my parents took me to the Sydney Olympic football team for trials. I joined that team from ages 9 to 13 and had the opportunity to go to Europe three times for matches.
Is there anyone else in your family who is a footballer?
No, no, there’s no one else in my family or even any relative who is involved in football at a professional level. It’s just me, and with my love for the ball, I am trying to build a career in football.
How did it happen that the OFI Crete Under-19s team chose you to join them?
As I mentioned, the agency chose me last August for the OFI Crete U19 team after the trials, and I was only 17 years old then. I felt a great sense of pride because my hard work had a positive result. I called my father back in Australia and my relatives to share the good news because my mother was with me at that moment to hear the wonderful news!
How did your teammates at OFI receive you?
At first, it wasn’t so rosy because I had moved to Crete, I was alone, only 17 years old, and my mother had to return to Australia. Basically, I didn’t have my family with me. And my Greek wasn’t as good as it is now, as I’m trying my best. But later, I bonded with my teammates, though, as you understand, I had to prove myself as a worthy player. But my coach took care of me in everything I needed because he knew, and everyone knew, I was alone. They were all fantastic. I was a striker in the centre with the number “9” and have remained in that position ever since. I have to tell you that three times I was chosen as the best striker under 19 years old in all of Greece, and then I was only 17 years old! It was a big deal for me!
That’s really impressive, Nikos. Well done! What are your dreams for the future regarding your football career?
My dreams are to become a professional footballer, to join the first team of OFI, and, of course, to make a living from football. That is my dream, but also to represent Greece or Australia in major football matches.
Now, tell us… which Greek football team do you support?
Of course, I support OFI because my grandmother is from Crete, from Sitia! And I want and must support my roots, since I am also of Cretan descent.
And which Australian football team do you support, Nikos?
In Australia, I support the Western Sydney Wanderers team, which even invited me to play with them if I didn’t go to Europe. I would have played for this team, but my homeland, our Greece, and OFI won me over.
Which footballer do you look up to or idolise?
I love Neymar Jr. because when I was younger, my coaches were mainly from Brazil. He is amazing!
Nikos, tell us what it means to you to be a Greek Australian.
It is my identity. Having the Greek identity and Greek culture within me, born here in Australia, is the best thing. All the Greeks here are together, and the Greek community of Australia plays a big role in who I am.
What things express your Greekness? What does Greece mean to you?
Greek music, Greek food, and Greek dance completely identify me. Also, the Greek family, which is always together. I have always been a proud Greek because my parents raised me that way. Everything we did was Greek, our way of life, and speaking with my grandmother and grandfather in Greek, all of these were important for me. Greece, for me, has a very rich history, and we have a great culture and beautiful traditions. Greece is unique.
Finally, Nikos, what is your message to other Greek Australian children about the Greek language, Greek culture, and sports in general?
First of all, I would tell children my age to embrace Greek culture and speak Greek, dance Greek dances, and other things because we are lucky to be Greek with such a history. I would say what Alexander the Great said: “Nothing is impossible to him who tries.” Chase your dream and have a goal in your life. Don’t listen too much to others and think you must do what others tell you. Do what your heart tells you!
Nikos, thank you very much for your time, and we all wish you the best experiences in your life with OFI over the next two years.
Thank you very much, Mr. Kametopoulos, and The Greek Herald for this opportunity that I will remember forever. I will try in Greece to make the Greeks here in Australia very proud!
If any reader wants to follow Nikos’s progress and successes, they can check out the young Greek Australian player’s Instagram at @Nicholas_Stavropoulos.
