By Takis Triadafillou and Chris Spyrou.
Sydney Olympic FC hosted their annual sponsor and player night at Canterbury Leagues Club in Belmore on Monday night.
The event featured panel discussions with the first-grade men and women players, along with Q&A’s moderated by well-known journalist and sports commentator, Andrew Paschalidis.
In attendance was a number of prominent members of Sydney Olympic and representatives of sporting organisations. This included Sydney Olympic CEO, John Boulous; Sydney Olympic President, Damon Hanlin; Sydney Olympic Director, Lawrie McKinna; Football NSW CEO, Stuart Hodge; Canterbury League Club CEO, Greg Pickering and Director, George Coorey; and Member for Canterbury, Sophie Cotsis MP; among many others.
Paschalidis commenced the evening with a special mention of the role the 65-year-old club has played in Australian football.
“Sydney Olympic has led to the production of more Socceroos than any other team in Australia,” he said.
The sports commentator was then joined on stage by Mr Hanlin for a short Q&A, where he encouraged Greek fans to band together and support the club as they once did.
When asked about the origins of his unwavering passion for football, Mr Hanlin answered: “football’s been in my blood since I was a little boy.”
“At four years of age, my father dragged me by ear to watch Sydney Olympic whilst we listened to the Greek radio,” he continued.
“This game just brings so much more than just playing. It brings, passion, teaches us teamwork, how to lose, how to win.”
Despite the challenges and cancellations associated with the pandemic, Mr Hanlin stressed his belief that Sydney Olympic is in the best position it has ever been in.
“I feel sorry for the players – they’ve put in a lot of shift and effort to get a lot of false starts. It’s been a frustrating couple of years for them but this year honestly I’ve never seen us step out so brightly,” he told Paschalidis.
The President also specifically mentioned the Club’s woman’s program and remarked, “I love the woman’s program. It’s one of my prouder moments of being part of this club.”
“The fact they’ve been promoted into NPL1, the fact that we attract such a quality playing group, these girls do proud things for the club,” he said.
The CEO of Sydney Olympic then addressed the event, directly thanking the sponsors.
“We can’t exist without sponsors, the role you play in our club is vitally important. Your support enables us to run one of the best men’s and a women’s football programs going around,” Mr Boulous said.
Afterwards, there were also statements from the women’s team coach, George Beltsos, and Ante Juric, who coaches the men.
Here is a list of Sydney Olympic’s 2022 sponsors:
- JASO
- Charas Constructions
- Canterbury League Club
- Simon Curwood Jewellers
- Eremea, Arc Energy Group, Pickles
- Crowne Plaza Burwood
- Danas Property, Conquest, LB Wire Ropes, Signlite
- The Greek Herald
