Capital Punishment head to Sydney.

Dressed in green, Capital Punishment fans headed to Sydney to show support for Canberra A-League's bid. A great day was reportedly had by all..read more...

Capital Punishment, Canberra’s newly formed Canberra A-League and W-League supporters group headed to Sydney FC on Sunday to barrack for Canberra in the Sydney FC Perth Glory clash at the Sydney Football Stadium.

Resplendent in green the supporters were in good mood from the off.

A Canberra Times photographer and ABC TV crew filmed the singing, chanting group on departure from McKellar Stadium.

The group were well prepared. Faces painted, shirts on, and banners made for a colourful scene and when asked to provide a chant, the newly formed group rose as one with “Ole Ole Ole Canberra Canberra.”

The fan group were a mix of male and female young and old all out to enjoy the historic day.

Perth Glory players were a little surprised to see the away end filled with Green shirted fans rather than their usual Glory purple. But at the end with a 4-1 drubbing of Sydney in the bag they were happy to celebrate with anyone!

And the Canberra fans in true Aussie tradition had sung loud and hard against Sydney FC all afternoon. A taste of things to come when we enter the league?

Eugene Dadi and Nikita Rukavystya were the first to give the fans the high five and sign autographs. Nikolai Topor-Stanley was presented with a shirt from fan group organiser Anthony Hatton and proudly swung it around his head.

Socceroos Legend Tony Popovich and former Sydney FC players Mark Rudan and Ufuk Talay signed the fans banner.

Ned Zelic came over after the game and spent time chatting with the fans.
Bid Leader Ivan Slavich, who travelled on the bus with the fans wearing his Capital Punishment shirt, agreed it was a wonderful trip.

“It was a fantastic day out, a bringing together of many people in the community to show support for the bid. We’ve still got a lot of work to do but days like this add real value to the community and the bid. I’d like to thnk Anthony Hatton for organising the trip. He’s done a wonderful job.”

Fox Sports covered the singing Canberrans during the game, “Give us a licence, Give us a licence,” they chanted. One wag suggested they should have sung “Give us Sydney’s licence,” such was the home sides performance.

A great day and a bus trip home with memories and stories locked away.

And a special mention to Ken Sharp, Commercial Manager, from Sydney FC who welcomed and assisted the organisation of the day.

The community focus for the bid now turns to securing 20,000 pledges, we’re already over 4,000, if you can support or assist in anyway please contact flanagan.eamonn@gmail.com

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Ivan Slavich on the Canberra A-League update

"I'm feeling very positive that your listeners in Canberra will be watching a Canberra A-League team very soon in Canberra."

Ivan Slavich speaking on Nearpost Radio tonight.

"Terry Weber (PWC) Franz Weimper, (Millissa Fischer's advisor), Neale Guthrie (Canberra Stadium Group Manager) and myself met with FFA CEO Ben Buckley, John O'Sullivan and Rob Abernethy and their legal counsel today," said Slavich



"We went through the financials, sponsorship, market research, community support, foundation members etc etc.

"We were asked a huge amount of questions.

"The official response from the FFA was, that they were extremely impressed by the bid, said we had made fantastic progress.

"I feel that everyone in Canberra Region has stepped up to the plate.

"I can't say where we are in relation to other bids, but I can say I'm very happy at where we are at.

"The FFA would love to see a list of people supporting an A-League team. We've already got 1,000 Foundation Members including Corporates and Anthony Hatton's A-League for Canberra site but they would love to see a petition with around 10,000 signatures on it supporting an A-League team.

"I'm feeling very positive that your listeners will be able to go and watch a Canberra A-League team in Canberra in the very near future.

"The decision from the FFA will be made in March/April next year. Western Sydney, Wollongong and Tasmania are our competition.

"We need to shore up investors, get more Foundation Members and a major sponsor onboard.

"If any of your listeners haven't signed up as a Foundation Member then now is the time.

"If any of your listeners are in positions to influence Company Sponsorship they should contact me also," added Slavich.

You can hear the full interview on the local podcast below at the very beginning.

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Nearpost Tuesday

Nationally Ivan Slavich from the Canberra A-League Bid and all the ACL and A-League, W-League reviews and news.

Download


Locally download Ben Padgett interview from the Stromlo Futsal Courts and all the W-League reviews.

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Canberra FC keeper signs on...and Grand Final Predictions

Canberra FC Premier League Grand Final keeper Nathan Denham meets A-League Bid Leader Ivan Slavich at this mornings Grand Final Breakfast.

Denham hopes to win on Sunday but he would also love to see an A-League team in Canberra.

Nathan signed up as a Foundation Member believing the Club would provide opportunities for many young Canberrans for years to come.

With Corporate Memberships about to start there is still a little time to get a Foundation Membership below 1,000.

Grand Final previews below.

Canberra FC take on Belconnen in the Men's Grand Final preceded by Weston Creek v Belwest in the Women's.

Who will win?

In the men's everything points to a Canberra FC victory.

But wily Belconnen Coach Steve Forshaw, although knowing they've lost "175 out of 175 of the last meetings between the two sides," still believes they can do it.

Canberra FC Coach Ivan Grucic has an air of confidence. A man who knows he has the best team in the league.

Nathan Denham expects a tough game. But you sense Canberra FC expect to win. Maybe they will.

If it's anything like last years game expect a cracker. And a Grand Final is a one-off

I'm going for the underdog. Home ground advantage Belconnen to sneak a win.

In the Women's game.

Weston Creek missed out on penalties last year in a game lacking goal mouth action.

However ace striker Luisa Marzotta is in goals this year and with Jenny Brew leading the side they sense a win. Particularly given their amazing defensive record this year.

"We've lost 6 or 7 of our last finals," said Captain Brew this morning. You sensed despite the great season this thought lingered.

And unlike most Grand Finalists I've ever known the Weston Creek team are going to support some of their other teams in their Grand Finals earlier in the day at different grounds. Fantastic effort.

Belwest Captain Vanessa Burdett believes her team will win.

"We felt so bad after missing out last year there was no way Canberra City would beat us in the semi." And they didn't Belwest won 5-0.

So tight defence against a team who believe it is their destiny to win.

My prediction:

For what it's worth Weston Creek may take this one out, but Vanessa Burdett's team will fight to the death. Should be a tense enconter.

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Ivan Slavich: Update on A-League bid.

Ivan has sent a message to Foundation Message. I'm one so I got the email. But the update is in full below.

Dear Foundation Member

Wow! What an amazing few weeks we have had in regards to the A-League4Canberra bid. Firstly I must say thank you for signing up to become a Foundation Member, we are certainly on our way to achieving the goal of bringing an A-League team to Canberra.

I would like to present to you a few dot points on what has been achieved so far and what is still required:

Website up and running www.a-league4canberra.com.au

Meeting with Football Federation Australia (FFA) to discuss Canberra’s bid

Ambassador program instigated by Eamonn Flanagan (ambassadors to sign up 10 members and each of those 10 sign up another 1 member)

ACT Government support with a $2.5m commitment (plus ongoing support)

Discussions with very keen investors ongoing and progressing well
Foundation members signed up to date is 548 and still climbing daily

Still in progress/required:

Foundation membership - we need your help to acquire the 5000 foundation members - to show FFA that Canberra is serious about having an A-League team of our own! Help us spread the word
TV Advertisement

Also just a reminder for the great benefits of becoming a foundation member is:

Numbered certificate recognising foundation membership
Discounted season tickets
Free entry to ACT Premier League games for 5 years
Free entry to ACT W - League competition for next 5 years
A say in the club at Board level


Kind regards,
Ivan Slavich
BID LEADER

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Nearpost Radio this week

Australia's first W-League Coach, Mike Barnett, A-League bid leader Ivan Slavich..

Download National Show or right click and show will open and play in another screen......eventually.




We hear from the first W-League appointed Coach Adelaide United's Mike Barnett

Local Show Download: or right click and show will open and play in another screen......eventually.


Get the latest from Ivan Slavich on the Canberra A-League bid.




Australia's first W-League Coach Mike Barnett is Adelaide United's first W-League Coach. Mike talks Salary Cap, player selections, why United will be competitive and the challenge ahead.

Interestingly will there be any female coaches or female Assistants in the new W-league?

We hear from John Kosmina and Lawrie McKinna on the weekend games.

Locally Chris Gottaas has all the latest from Ivan Slavich on the Canberra A-League bid.

Russ Gibbs and Chris Gottaas talks football!

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Ed Hollis Tottenham Physio goes Nearpost.

Nearpost National Show:

Ed Hollis talks about his Tottenham day job.
We preview the A-League, talk Olyroos and update on the Canberra A-League bid.
Download



Locally:
Download


Woden Valley's Ed Hollis, Rachael Harrigan, Kadee Hollis and Amy McCloughlin talk Dane Cup, and their trip of a lifetime.

Ivan Slavich gives an update on the Canberra A-League bid as he heads off to meet the FFA.

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We need the members..investor money is coming!!!!!

FourFourTwo said

Slavich was adamant that if all those who had expressed an interest were to put their hands in their pockets then finance would no longer be an issue.

So sign-up and convince them. Full article below


EXCLUSIVE: Canberra's A-League bid team will use the W-League’s capital side as leverage when they meet the FFA next week.
Bid head Ivan Slavich is delighted with the momentum being generated and believes next Friday’s get together is an important chance to show Canberra is deadly serious about A-League entry.

Slavich told au.fourfourtwo.com: “They (the FFA) want to eyeball us and make sure that we’re fair dinkum.

“That will be a preliminary meeting and we then expect to make our presentation to them some time before August 27.”

Slavich remains confident that Canberra will be able to secure the $5-$6 million needed to really convince the FFA that the bid can get off the ground.

He said: “We have a five-year (business) plan and will be putting that to a number of potential investors on Tuesday and then the FFA.

Slavich was adamant that if all those who had expressed an interest were to put their hands in their pockets then finance would no longer be an issue.

“A lot of hard work is going into this and the support is there, not just in Canberra but beyond as well,” he said.

Slavich remains hopeful of securing financial support from the ACT government and two investors have already pledged $500,000 each.

The A-League4canberra group is also offering 5000 foundation memberships at $200 each, to raise $1million of the $6million required as start-up costs.

The scheme is designed to generate both cash and public support – two factors the FFA will need convincing are in place.

He said: “Having those 5,000 members on board can help us convince them we are serious here, which we certainly are.”

The bid leader is hoping membership will be into four figures by the time he meets with the FFA.

Slavich insists the passion for an A-League Canberra team is there and the fact that Canberra has been so readily welcomed into the new women’s league should make a powerful statement about the game’s popularity.

He said: “I think the fact that Canberra has had a team accepted into the W-League should send a very clear signal. There is the support here for this game, no question.

"And again, I come back to the fact that we have the capital of New Zealand represented in the A-League but not the capital of Australia.”

While championing Canberra’s own case, Slavich will also raise the issue of expansion as a whole when he meets the FFA.

It looks highly likely that two teams will be admitted to the A-League for 2009-10 and a further two for 2010-11. Slavic doesn’t see why there can’t be more immediate entry for teams if they meet all the criteria.

He said: “If you have the finances and and you have the community support then what’s the problem?”

The FFA is expected to formally ratify Gold Coast and Townsville’s A-League slots on August 27.

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Ivan Slavich goes Nearpost Radio

Our Special Guest on Nearpost Radio/Podcast on Tuesday will be Ivan Slavich the Canberra A-League Bid Leader. Ivan will join us on 98.3Fm Canberra Community Radio on Tuesday from 6.45pm. Show starts 6.30pm-7.30pm. We will have an extended interview with Ivan in the second half of the show but will also chat to him in the National half hour.

If you have anything you'd like to know about the bid or the man send me an email flanaganDotEamonnATgmailDotcom or post here.

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Nearpost Radio

National Show: The new and the old. Download


powered by ODEO
Ivan Slavich on the bid for Canberra. Paul Mavroudis talks about one of Australia's oldest clubs, South Melbourne. All the news and football discussion from Fitsum Michella and Russ.

Locally: Download


powered by ODEOAndrew Barr on the bid, hear the voice of the fans, and Russ and Chris cover all the news; A-League Kanga Cup and more.

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FFA: Yes Canberra can bid!

FFA Ben Buckley, pictured alongside Frank Lowy, invites Canberra to bid.

Pawl Cubbin from Zoo to invest! Well done Pawl, leading the way. Who will be next?

Merryn Sherwood from the Canberra Times has the story many football fans in this town hae been waiting for: Canberra to bid and read more about the Ivan Slavich team below.

We are on a roll. Time to push harder, and louder. See you at that game on Saturday. Bring everyone! It feels good!

From The Times:
Football Federation Australia chief executive Ben Buckley has officially invited Canberra's Ivan Slavich to submit a bid for an A-League team.......

Football Federation Australia chief executive Ben Buckley has officially invited Canberra's Ivan Slavich to submit a bid for an A-League team.
And it's just one of the latest developments since Slavich announced last month that he would lead the ACT's A-League bid.

They include:

Pawl Cubbin, chief executive officer of Canberra advertising, design, interactive and marketing agency ZOO, signing on his support as a investor.

Slavich being officially endorsed by soccer's ACT administrator, Capital Football, to lead the bid.

Accounting firm Pricewaterhouse-Coopers signing on to provide support.

Canberra legal firm RSK legal also providing support.

More than 900 people signing up their support for an A-League team on the AteamforCanberra website.

Slavich confirmed yesterday that he had official word from Buckley on the submission. He said he had managed to convince the FFA to extend its original deadline of June 2 to mid-August, so that the Canberra submission could be reviewed along with the other 10 bids that the FFA would be considering.

Last month the FFA announced it had received 10 bids, which would all be considered for the 2009-10 season and then 2010-11. One of those, Gold Coast United, has already been accepted for next year.

But Slavich said he would still be aiming for acceptance into the 2010-11 season.

The chief executive of TransACT and general manager of ActewAGL's retail division has only been in the official role for about two weeks, but is aiming to have a bid to the FFA by mid-August.

The bid will be put together by a committee that includes Slavich, Canberra Stadium manager Neale Guthrie, RSK partner Andrew Satsia and Cubbin among others.

Slavich urged soccer fans in the ACT to support this weekend's A-League grand final rematch at Canberra Stadium between Newcastle and the Central Coast.

''We can see there is a lot of support out there already, now it's important that Canberra comes out to support it this Saturday, and that they all come to Canberra Stadium,'' he said.

Slavich also encouraged any other potential investors to contact him.

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Ivan steals my motto: "I tend not to fail."

Ivan Slavich leader of the ateam4canberra bid said in a recent interview the strong, wonderfully confident and visionary phrase, "I TEND NOT TO FAIL," and I think he nicked the phrase from his meeting with myself on Monday:)

I would have said it, I'm sure I would, if I ever thought it. How about you is that how you walk around the city? Have a look at the next person you see, on the street, in the office. Is that what they are thinking. Deep down maybe all Canberrans think this:)

Well one can dream!!!! Will we hear a chant at the game on Saturday?

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Ivan Slavich: "I tend not to fail."

Fourfourtwo have written a strong piece on a Canberra A-League team.

For those who have signed up, you have backed a winner. Ivan would like to see you show your support at Saturday's game, at Canberra Stadium, Mariner v Jets.

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FFA contacted: Canberra to put in A-League expression of interest.

Head of the Canberra A-League bid and Transact CEO and ActewAGL General Manager Ivan Slavich (right) was in confident mood this morning when he met Anthony Hatton and this blogger(photographer).

"There will be a team in Canberra." said Slavich. And we believe him. Ivan noted the level of grassroots support already, and he mentioned the outstanding support he has already received from the Canberra corporate community.

Survey designer Anthony Hatton will report back on Nearpost Radio tomorrow and Capital Football CEO Heather Reid will also give the Capital Football response. It's all happening pretty quick. Ivan needs all the support he can get, but he is doing a great job.

For all those 700 plus who have signed up. You are visionary putting your name to a once maligned concept. No more. You will be able to say in coming years, I was one of the first to sign-up, I believed!

As the sign-ups continue at a rapid rate, I'll have an update later today, I'm expecting a huge increase in signatures in the coming days as news and the positive outlook spreads through the community. Feel free to spread the word:)

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Well done Canberrans: Ivan Slavich supports us!

Well, that didn't take long did it?

Someone has forwarded the website to Ivan Slavich, the Canberra A-League bid leader..and he's signed up and so has Anna Slavich. And Ivan thinks this grassroots support is exactly what we need. So keep spreading the word, and checkout the others from across our community who are signing up.

And have a look at which local club he is affiliated with:)

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