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Thursday 16 October 2008

CANBERRA FC MEDIA RELEASE

Canberra FC have applied for the NSWPL 12th and remaining spot. Let's hope it's lucky 12th for them in NSW and for the Canberra A-League side in the A-League.

Then we'd have a marvellous pathway for our juniors. Full release below.

CANBERRA FC MEDIA RELEASE
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>
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> > 16 October 2008
> >
> >
> >
> > for immediate release
> >
> >
> >
> > HUGE WAVE OF SUPPORT FOR CANBERRA'S INCLUSION IN NSW PREMIER LEAGUE
> >
> >
> >
> > An army of supporters ranging from Socceroos past and present, politicians,
> > football officials and media personalities have gotten behind a push, to
> > encourage Football NSW to include Canberra FC as the 12th team in the 2009
> > NSW Premier League.
> >
> >
> >
> > Ned Zelic, Ivan Slavic, and Walter Valeri, father of Carl and former
> > Capital Football president, were quick to stand up and applaud the club's
> > initiative in applying for inclusion in Australia's number two competition.
> >
> >
> >
> > Ivan Slavic, head of the Canberra's A-League bid said "A team from our
> > region in the New South Wales Premier League would, I believe, provide a
> > crucial and exciting link in our region's developmental pathway and provide
> > further opportunities for our players. It would also add increased quality
> > to the NSWPL both on and off the field."
> >
> > "Canberra FC has a proud 50 year history in our city. They have set
> > professional standards, producing many outstanding players including Joe
> > Simunic and Ned Zelic. They continue to be the benchmark in Canberra. The
> > Deakin Stadium has been completely rebuilt this year and provides an
> > excellent venue for Premier League football. Canberra's A-League bid is
> > fully behind Canberra FC's New South Wales Premier League bid. They
> > complement each other" added Slavic.
> >
> >
> >
> > Zelic and Walter Valeri, both proud Canberrans who have played for their
> > country, were positive of any initiative by Football NSW and the Canberra
> > football community to provide enhanced talent identification.
> >
> >
> >
> > As a former player and coach of the Club, I think that in its 50th
> > anniversary it would be a fitting celebration for Canberra FC to be
> > accepted into the NSW competition. My son Carl, who spent some of his
> > junior days at Canberra FC was also excited by the possibility of Canberra
> > participating in the NSW Premier League. It will again become a pathway
> > for many players and keep them at home instead of heading interstate and
> > overseas searching for a career in football." said Valeri
> >
> >
> >
> > Ned Zelic will be at the Canberra FC function on the 6th November 2008
> > promoting Canberra's A league bid, and this week was sounded out about
> > coaching Canberra FC in the NSW Premier League by club director Bernie
> > Lustica.
> >
> >
> >
> > "Ned knows how hard it is for young Canberra players to travel the same
> > pathways as their Sydney and Melbourne counterparts and is right behind our
> > push for a NSWPL spot. While he wouldn't commit to the coaching role, yet,
> > I am sure he is available to assist us in any way he can." said Lustica.
> >
> >
> >
> > Capital Football CEO Heather Reid weighed in with her support.
> >
> >
> >
> > "Canberra FC have previously participated in the NSW Youth League with much
> > success and with the possibility of an A-League club in Canberra in the
> > near future, we are keen to support appropriate opportunities that will
> > assist the pathway of male players from local to national leagues." said
> > Reid.
> >
> >
> >
> > "In the absence of a Canberra A-League club, one way to do this would be
> > through other levels of competition such as the NSW Premier League." she
> > added.
> >
> >
> >
> > Canberra FC president Marko Vrkic, was overwhelmed by the support of his
> > club in the lead up to its 50th year celebrations in December.
> >
> >
> >
> > "I am so proud of our club at this time" said Vrkic. "We have competed
> > locally, nationally, and internationally for a long time now, and have
> > produced a number of Socceroos and overseas based stars. We want to
> > continue to lead the way in fostering the game in our city, and we are also
> > now focussing on the entire southern NSW region, with a new emphasis on
> > women's football. Our future is bright thanks to the strong backing of our
> > licensed club, our sponsors and our large membership and supporter base.
> > Our stadium is being continually upgraded. We want to be a strong
> > component of the NSW Premier League, and the football communities that we
> > represent" he added
> >
> >
> >
> > "You look at the two clubs in this year's NSW Premier League Grand Final.
> > Canberra's Steve Hayes was man of the match, and both clubs boast
> > Canberrans such as Shane Lyons, Michael Katz and Ilija Prenzoski. Ilija
> > and Michael are both former Canberra FC players. Canberra needs our own
> > team playing at this level, as well as the A-League. Football needs us
> > too." said the dynamic club boss.
> >
> >
> >
> > Vrkic emphasised that this bid was for all of southern NSW, and that the
> > club plans to take games and coaching structures to the Riverina, South
> > Coast, Southern Highlands and Southern Tablelands football communities.
> >
> >
> >
> > "The more professional Sydney clubs also want us in the league, because
> > they know it is good for all football across the state." said Vrkic.
> >
> >
> >
> > ENDS

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Go Canberra FC
Go Ivan Slavic and the A league Bid

Looks like Canberra Football is going places.

Time to support Football in the region.

Asian Cup champions within 5 years.