Hospitality and filotimo are words that encompass the experience of many whilst in Greece.
Making his second journey to the motherland this year was Leandros (Lee) Papastergiadis who trained for two weeks in the AEK Football Academy under the watchful eye of the head training director, Mr Kiriakidis and two team coaches, Fotis and Thodoris Tripotseris.
“It was Lee’s second journey this year to the AEK Football Academy,” Lee’s father and President of the Greek Community of Melbourne, Bill Papastergiadis, said.
Lee took part in a fully funded program organised by AEK owner, Dimitris Melissanidis, which involves over 20 football coaches overseeing approximately 100 players.
The players train in a purpose-built training facility that arguably matches those of well-known European Football Clubs.
“What drew us back again more so than the football training, was the care and attention which the coaches exhibit to the young players. It’s an environment where the young players are made to feel welcomed, supported and part of a broader family,” Bill said.
“This sense of family at the Football Academy is encouraging to watch as it is equally translated in terms of the respect the players hold for their coaches and one another. Video analyses, ice baths, strength and conditioning are just a small part of each session.”
The philosophy at this Academy follows closely the Hellenic philosophy of hospitality, with their motto being: ‘Only when playing as a team can you win’.
Each member of the team is encouraged and supported with respect and compassion, Bill said.
“When I met Mr Meliissanidis I thanked him for his significant interest in nurturing and developing the careers of young people, to which he responded: ‘I don’t want to stop at the Football Academy’.”
The AEK owner continued: “My next step is to build accommodation for kids and their parents, who cannot travel daily to the Club. I want to have a library for them. Education is critical.”
Mr Meliissanidis also spoke with pride about the new stadium and the events marking its opening.
For him, it represents the journey of refugees from Asia Minor who created a new life for themselves in Greece.
AEK to him is a symbol of refugees who have progressed with their lives despite the trauma experienced.
The stadium now offers a new home to the Club along with two museums for the Club.
“I told Mr Meliissanidis about the migrant experience in Australia and how football was a key part of the socialisation of Greek migrants in the new country,” Bill said.
“I referred him in detail to South Melbourne Hellas and Heidelberg United, both former NSL clubs as well as the other almost 50 clubs of Greek background in Victoria.
“I told him the migrant experience was a journey fraught with difficulty and it was amazing how those people before us created these wonderful clubs that have produced not only great footballers but also gave them a social connection.”
In the course of Lee’s two-week journey at AEK, he also played in a match against the Senior Women’s Team, which he described as a wonderful experience.
“Mr Meliissanidis was proud of how AEK was transforming itself. The Club to him meant everything,” Bill said.
Bill and Lee took photos with the AEK owner and presented him with a plaque on behalf of SMFC and a SMFC Jersey.
