South Melbourne FC has announced a significant leadership restructure as the historic club prepares for one of the busiest seasons in its modern history.
Under the new governance model, the club will now be led by two Co-Presidents – Andrew Mesourouni and Bill Papastergiadis – marking a first in South Melbourne’s long and decorated journey.
The decision comes as the club prepares to compete across three major competitions: the inaugural Australian Championship (National Second Tier), which kicks off in less than two weeks; the FIFA Oceania Professional League in January; and the forthcoming NPL season soon after.
Club officials said the dual-presidency model reflects South Melbourne’s commitment to managing its expanding year-round football program with the highest standards of professionalism and community engagement.
Both Mesourouni and Papastergiadis bring extensive experience to the role, having each served the club for more than a decade in senior positions – Mesourouni as Football Director, and Papastergiadis as Head of Legal and Chairman.
“It’s time. Hellas must truly unite behind the strength of its badge and proud history,” Mesourouni said. “For the first time in our history, unity will be on display with two Presidents sharing responsibility alongside a passionate Board of Directors.
“This is not about any individual but about one Club coming together – members and fans, young and old, united by love and respect for our great Club. Together, we will rise, both in football and in community values, as a home for all.”
In his remarks, Papastergiadis highlighted the weight of South Melbourne’s legacy and the responsibility of steering it into a new era.
“It is a privilege to serve at this historic Club, whose record of history and success in Australian football is unmatched. We must respect the contributions of all who came before us, including Nick Maikousis. Alongside Andrew, our focus will be to deliver the best possible football product for our supporters,” he said.
“Football in Australia is undergoing significant change, and we want Hellas to be at the forefront of this new era.”
The club confirmed that its Board of Directors remains otherwise unchanged, continuing to include Peter Kokotis, Tass Roufos, Tony Margaritis, Mario Vinaccia, Nicole Jacobs, Ashley Maikousis, Theo Chronis, Bill Panayotou, Steve Kyriazis and Nathan McLean.
This leadership update comes after former Director and President of the club, Nicholas Maikousis stepped down effective immediately “in order to focus on his personal business,” according to a club statement on 1 September.
His departure came in the wake of enforcement action by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), which cancelled the licence of his company, MWL Financial Group. ASIC also banned Maikousis from the financial services industry for 10 years after finding MWL had channelled client superannuation savings into the troubled Shield Master Fund.
Lawyers for Maikousis and MWL have lodged an urgent application for review of the decision.
