Canberra FC - need to lead football towards real goals

Canberra FC are in a bit of strife. Crowd violence, now fines, bonds and possible fan bans - and they are our Premier Club on the field - and supposed to be off it. Hardly! See the latest from the Canberra Times

While no-one could dispute the quality of footballer that this proud club has produced - Ned Zelic, Joe Simunic, Andrew Baresic, Steven Lustica and many many others are testamount to that - one could be forgiven for thinking the club is living in the past.

Volunteer, community football is a tough gig and Canberra FC has proudly changed their name, built a great stadium and dressed it in Croatian colours - in the dressing room, around the ground and of course all over the shirt.

Now here's the rub.

Anyone following football in Australia over the last 20 years, and in particularly over the last 7, see clubs with ethnic flavour are out of favour, massively.

Why else are there no A-League clubs allowed to have an ethnic name, ethnic colours or their fans carry ethnic flags. There is no progress possible for clubs covered in ethnicity. Not my rules, just how it is these days.

And no club, not South Melbourne, or Sydney United, both of whom have a fair bit more clout than Canberra FC, will change that.

South Melbourne FC (Greek) didn't get it when they tried to apply for the second Melbourne licence, Canberra FC don't get it when they have to cover all their Croatian colours for Canberra United games on the ABC.

Canberra FC has got it wrong - will they be allowed into the NSWPL - they might - but they'll never represent the whole Canberra community because despite their name, their colours and their fans shouting Croatia loudly and proudly the club will never appeal to the broader Canberra football market.

Don't believe me - go and do a random poll of any 20 people at any junior football club around Canberra and then go and ask another 20 people who have no involvement in local football. If you get more than 2 positive responses I'd be very surprised.

And to grow the game you need mass support - Raiders or Brumbies style.

The ALeague4Canberra market research showed a large support/interest for a football team in Canberra. There was no question of Canberrans interest and support in the Brumbies, Raiders and a football team.

Of course nothing remotely ethnic was mentioned - not Croatia, Olympic or Irish - just football, just a Canberra team. This is the only way forward, the only way to grow a brand, a business.

Canberra FC are our Premier Club - but we, the football commmunity need them to lead off the field, as well as on it.

No dressing room Croatia badges, no national colours around the ground, no national colours on your shirt, no brainer.

Then Canberra FC might be able to lead the football community into NSW and beyond - bringing the whole community with you. We know you can lead the football - let's see the club grab this opportunity to be the football leaders.

Why you could even become Canberra United - and have all W-League games out of Deakin Stadium - take the Canberra United brand into the NSW PL and see all Canberrans join in support.

And people could filter in the Croatian Club after the game. Always a friendly welcome their. Just need to transfer it to football.

No need for flares despised by the media, the anti-football mob, and I might add the local football family.

Time to put some real thought into what you want Canberra FC to be - and this is a great opportunity.

Stay as you are - and well you'll never grow the football club, or the game in Canberra.

Some supporters may abuse Capital Football - and they didn't cover themselves in glory with the handling of their Grand Final - but that isn't the real issue here. Not for our Premier Club with aspirations to take football and Canberra higher.

How does the name Canberra FC - reflected in the Croatian colours and badges - reflect the whole of the city. Beats me.

Canberra FC players deserve the opportunity to play on a bigger stage - Canberra FC needs to provide them with the leadership to do it.

Study what the FFA want, where they have taken football and who they have allowed into the new football.

Does Canberra FC just want to remain, a local champion?

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Kofi Danning: From Majura FC to Sydney FC

Kofi Danning Sydney FC and Young Socceroo started football in Australia in Canberra with Majura FC.

This interview appears as part of a series of podcasts on the Majura FC junior club website, or will do in coming days.

This is Kofi's story......to date!


Download here

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Nearpost podcast returns

Nationally we talk Socceroos Matildas and A-League and we got stung by that Viduka story as well:) and Andrew Baresic from Gold Coast United, Katarina Vrkic and Christina Matkovic from Canberra FC are our special guests. For our podcasts......




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Locally we talk to:

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Andrew Baresic of Gold Coast United, formerly Canberra FC and to Katarina Vrkic Canberra FC on all the happenings at the club including the news Canberra FC are to join with Canberra Girls Grammar.

And Christina Matkovic, Canberra Spirit, Canberra FC and W-League aspirant.

Katarina and Christina will be collecting pledge at Canberra University O week and at Canberra FC this weekend. Fantastic job.

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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
>
>
>
> > 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

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NSW Premier League

One place up for grabs, five applications, and a decision to be made on Wednesday next week.

One application from Canberra I'm informed, so here's hoping we have another pathway to the A-League, and beyond, for our Canberra footballers.

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NSW Premier spot open

NSW Premier League has a spot for another team!

Remember Belconnen Blue Devils or Canberra Deakin taking the league by storm only to be given the boot.

Well on the NSW website they are calling for another team to replace the Penrith and Macarthur Rams sides.

So would Belconnen United or Canberra FC be ready to go round again? Would NSW support such a club from outside NSW:)....make that Sydney.

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SBS: and over 700 foundation members

Foundation Memberships moved past 700 this week. And SBS are expected to show a piece on the Canberra A-League Bid on Sunday from 5pm.

http://www.a-league4canberra.com.au/currentMembers.cfm

Canberra FC keeper Nathan Denham is the latest local player to sign-up. Who knows he may get a gig as the keeper.

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More Youth football planned

Zambia and Bulgaria Under 20's will join the AIS to take part in a 3-way tournament to be played at Deakin Stadium from Sat 6th-Wed 10th. And the ACT Rockets and Canberra FC will also play friendlies against each of the overseas teams. Details to be confirmed.

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Canberra United like never before.

Capital Football CEO Heather Reid signs up.

Capital Football CEO Heather Reid gives her full support and that of Capital Football. Speaking on Nearpost radio this week Heather gave her full support.

Martin Radic, President Canberra FC, Steve Forshaw Coach of Belconnen United, Darren Viskovich Coach ANU Premier League, Alex Castro Canberra FC, Jenny Brew Weston Creek, Alan Hinde Woden Valley are just some of the names I on the list. www.ateam4canberra.wordpress.com

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ACT Premier League: Ivanic scores Macor misses

Canberra FC stamped their authority on the ACT Premier League with a 1-0 win over Belconnen United at MacKellar Stadium on Saturday night.

All the news and scores as the results come in with special thanks to Russ Gibbs.

Paul Ivanic scored the only goal of the game for Canberra FC in the match of the round, ney the season!

Danny Macor missed a crucial penalty for Belconnen who are now five points adrift of the leaders.

Canberra Olympic 4 ANU FC 0

Trent Flanigan (2) and Scott Barsley (2) saw off the challenge of ANU at North Oval.

Coach Ian Heyward despite missing several players thought "it was good result. ANU always defend well, make it hard for teams to play."

Heyward who takes pride in the defensive qualities of the sides he manages noted, "we've conceded 7 goals all season, none against sides lower than us. We've got Canberra City next week and it gives us the chance to establish ourselves in the top four."

Canberra City 1 Queanbeyan City 2

Queanbeyan's push up the table continues. Coach Goran Neveski, who is leaving the club for the rest of the season to visit family overseas, was happy with the win.

0-0 at half-time, City's David Dexter was sent-off for a deliberate handball early in the second half. Mishko Naumoski converted.

Goran Jovanovski scored again for Q'beyan and Tim Malysaik scored a consolation for the young City side.

Zmejko Trakkoski will take over the coaching role for Q'beyan for the rest of the season.

Woden Valley 1 Tuggeranong United 1

John Caggiano scored for the Valley before Simon Gemmell equalised for Tuggers with his fourth of the season.

Tuggers Coach Scott Conlon was not best pleased. Tuggers had heaps of chances but couldn't convert.

In other news
Canberra Olympic/Belconnen United's Round 11 game scheduled for 29th June has been put back due to Olympic's young side being heavily involved with The Rockets/Mariners clash.

Belconnen were not concerned, but the game will now be played on 13th July.

The spirit of football

Referee Danny Parker said, "despite the 10-1 scoreline in the Third Division game between O'Connor Knights and Canberra FC, the game was played in the best spirit."

Sixth Grade: Tuggers v Uni Canberra Pumas

Meanwhile lower, much lower, down the Leagues Nearpost Football experts, Russ Gibbs and Chris Gottaas's sides battled it out.

Russ Gibbs said, "Football was the winner on the day, I scored one, you got that, and Chris didn't turn up to play. Injured or got a sniffle or something. But he was there on the sideline watching his team go down. Tuggers Div 6 beat UC Pumas 2-0, put that on your blog. Our resident Kiwi Api Pou scored the other."

"And I've got ligament trouble, but still made it on the field for the 9th Grade side later in the day. I scored a hat-trick in that one! Ben Morphy got two. We beat ADFA 5-2. We had a minutes silence for the ADFA's boy's involved in the crash during the week. They really are a great group of lads the ADFA guys," said Russ.

Tuggers Uber Coach Steve Beattie was reported to be very pleased with the third win on the spin.

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Weekender: Canberra Football building community

It’s Canberra Football but not as you knew it!

The Weekender this weeks looks at the changing face of Canberra Football.

Canberra Football is booming on and off the field. It wasn't always so. But as Woden Valley celebrate the opening of their new clubhouse on Sunday 18th May with Central Coast Mariners Lawrie McKinna, Ahmed Elrich and Sasho Petrovski in attendance, I took a look at the changes occurring across the Capital.




Twenty years ago, when I came to Canberra, we had plenty of grass, but few clubhouses, a few shared ovals and that was about it. People used to complain we had little access to football news, little media coverage and few resources. There was little sense of unity, or purpose.

How this community has changed.

Have you noticed the building that has been going on across this city?

Clubs across Canberra have been building. Not just Stadiums and Clubhouses but building community.

They’ve been building with pride; producing match day programmes that run to many pages, Internet websites full information, we now have TV Coverage on ChannelVision, Club Newsletters, Blogs, A radio show and more football, and football coaching than you could hope to watch or ever read about. There are intra-club tournaments, interstate tournaments and international events.

Here’s four clubs, just four, each leading the way.

Woden Valley celebrate 20 years as a club next Sunday. And what a celebration it will be. With a new Clubhouse to be opened, Politicians, Central Coast Manager Lawrie McKinna, Socceroo Ahmed Elrich will all attend. A celebrity football match, small games for the young, skill tests for the old, it promises to be a great day.

Belconnen United has the splendid McKellar Stadium. For men and women it is a great place to play and watch football. Last years Premier League finals pulled in over 2,000 people. The Stadium sets a standard for the City.

Not to be outdone Premier League Champions Canberra FC now has its own new Stadium. The club has produced possibly the most number of professional players of all our local clubs over the years. They have also invested heavily in new infrastructure.

Fomer Socceroo and Canberra FC player Ned Zelic, who has just secured the Georgian Championship and will play next season in the Champions League, turned the first sod in early 2007.

And recently, as the new season approached, I wandered in and found Club Captain Paul Ivanic, Technical Director Nado Spaleta working hard to get things finished. The place has a feeling of pride about it.

And feel free to take a look when you are passing the Deakin Stadium, it looks great with seating for 2,100.

Tuggeranong United are an old Canberra Club. As our city grows Tuggers has become a community with vision and confidence.

Club Captain Jeremy Butler impressed me recently on Nearpost radio as he spoke of building a club for the community. A man with heart, a man with passion. He told of the clubs charity work and annual events. He outlined the plans to move forward with Kambah Oval. Already the ground has a fence, next a quality pitch, a Clubhouse and more. Watch this space.

And of course Capital Football has big plans for Hawker Oval. The ACT Government promised new lighting in the recent budget and a new pitch preparation.

The football playing community is exploding. We have talented people, very talented people, from all walks of life in our midst.

Businessmen and women, politicians, journalists professors, tradespeople and children all playing the game. All involved in some way in their local club.

Woden Valley has set a standard for overseas trips for the young. In this city,in this area, they clearly lead the way. Their approach to football development has also to be applauded. They are well advanced with Small Sided Games introduction; their desire to teach and improve our children’s football experience and all round development is exciting to see.

When the people of Woden Valley enjoy their twenty year celebration on May 18th they are doing something more than playing football.

Like the other clubs around the region they are building community, building a future. Football has always been so much more than a game. Canberra football clubs have clearly recognised this.


And I know some other club have plans to build.Some are further advanced than others. If you'd like to put me right or highlight what your club is up to, please drop me an email.

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O'Connor Knights 3 stun Canberra FC 2

Ben Barac lashed home the equaliser.

Moshen Ravanparsa thumped home a bullet header from a sensational Rohan Coleman cross.



O'Connor Knights shocked the Canberra football community with a 3-2 win.

Russ Gibbs reporting for the Nearpost said, "The underdogs O'Connor Knights have claimed the Federation Cup for the first time in their history with a surprise 3-2 victory under the floodlights at Belconnen Soccer Club.

"Goals from Ben Barac, Goran Veljanovski from the penalty spot,and substitute Moshen Ravanparsa counted out John Glass' opener for Canberra FC. Alex Castro's 93rd minute was no consolation for beaten side."

Thanks Russell, and you can hear Russell's full report on the Federation Cup finals on the Nearpost on Tuesday or catch it on the podcast here on Wednesday.

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Belconnen United crash out of Fed Cup.

Belconnen United lose, Canberra FC progress, Tuggers win on penalties,ACTAS run ends in a weekend of Fed Cup men's drama.


Canberra FC had Captain Paul Ivanic sent-off but scraped home 2-1 over a vastly improved Queanbeyan City.

ACTAS went down 2-1 to White Eagles

O'Connor Knights dumped Belconnen out 2-1. Belconnen had Matt Valeri sent-off and despite Danny Macor's customary goal, Belconnen are out.

Belconnen Coach Steve Forshaw speaking after the game said, "We're disappointed, obviously we wanted to win this cup, but O'Connor were a good side last year, and I think they are even better this year."

"The break will give us time to get over a few injuries and organise a few games. I didn't want it, but we'll just have to prepare for the season ahead. Well done to O'Connor I thought they had the legs on us today."

And in late news: Tuggeranong United defeated Canberra Olympic on penalties.

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Canberra FC: Stadium nearing completion

Canberra FC start their Federation Cup campaign this weekend against Canberra City at Hawker enclosed on Sat. Mar 1 at 5pm

Their new stadium will be complete for the opening day of the regular season. New ground is expected to hold 2,100.

The Club are aiming to get back into the NSW Premier League or that should be called the Sydney Premier League. But for some reason NSWPL don't want any teams from Canberra.

Why? Because it would strengthen the level of football. Got me beat!

David Milin is back for another season, after taking a years leave. Ivan Pavlak has moved to the AIS. But Canberra FC are still the team to beat in Canberra. Belconnen United may think otherwise.

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Nearpost Radio Latest Podcast

On the Nearpost this week

Alex talks about our World Cup bid.
Matildas star Emma Wirkus, keeper and Corporate Lawyer..and she needs a job!
All the Grand Final wrap
AIS Graduate Dane Milovanovic chats to us about his coming hopes for the season.

In the local half hour.
Capital Football CEO Heather Reid on Canberra's World Cup bid

Apologies for the shortened Capital Football half hour. Technical probs like you wouldn't believe.

Download:


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Nearpost Tuesday: Canberra FC in focus

On the Nearpost we review the A-League Grand Final, Arif talks football, Michella tells us what it's like to be a Jets fan, we get a fans view of the World Cup and interview Matildas star Emma Wirkus.

In the local section we focus on Canberra FC. Jure Polegubic talks about his football passion. We interview Canberran and AIS defensive midfielder Dane Milovanovic. Plus Federation Cup talk, Summer Sixes, quiz questions and more.

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Nado Spaleta: "Football is life."

Canberra FC Premier League Coach Nado Spaleta hopes to lead his side to glory in this weekend's Capital Football Grand Final against Belconnen United.

"Football is life," says Nado speaking at this week's Grand Final breakfast.

"I've got my two sons playing in the team and I love it. I played in the 70's in Canberra and when I retired I started coaching my sons in the Under 7's. Apart from one year in Hobart, all my football has been here in Canberra.

"Paul Ivanic, my captain, I coached him when he was under 7. It's great experience to see the progression of players. Some went on to bigger things beyond Canberra football. I was involved in some way with Ned Zelic, still playing in Georgia, Peter Buljan and Joe Simunic. These guys were all very dedicated.

"It's a special time to have a Father and two sons in the same Grand Final team. Both Adam and Mark will start on the weekend," laughs Nado.

"It will be a close game. We've beaten them four times but I just hope we continue to do that."

Game kicks-off at 5pm at MacKellar Stadium, Belconnen

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