Football Family Receive FNSW Recognition

When Poppy Kotsiopoulos heard her and her family?s 2009 registration fees would be fully paid and that the family would be outfitted for the approaching season ? both of which were granted by Football NSW?s CEO, Mike Quarmby ? the Women?s All Age goalkeeper was nothing short of overwhelmed with appreciation.
 ?To me this gift means so much. To be appreciated and recognized is so rewarding and I am so happy with this gesture of good faith,? said Poppy.
Michael Quarmby, CEO of Football NSW and the man responsible for the kind acknowledgement, remarkably made his decision to help the long serving football family before having even met them.
?Mr. Quarmby was invited to the Granville Association presentation night where he began hearing so much about a family truly dedicated to helping their club, and with an amazing number of players in the one family ? stated Sue McNally Personal Assistant to Quarmby.
?The CEO was so touched by the Kotsiopoulos family?s commitment, involvement and generosity towards Merrylands Soccer Football Club that he felt they should be recognized.
?This recognition was a chance for Football NSW to give something back to people who are the backbone of football across this state and Australia as a whole,? added McNally.
Poppy, who has been at the Merrylands based club for over five years, is certainly heavy on her responsibilities. She is currently the U/ 12 division 2 girls coach and manager of both the Women?s All Age and the boy?s U/14 division 3 team, and all this while juggling the position of Secretary and Registrar.
Between her and husband Stan, who  is the current U/7 and U/10 boys coach, the two have served as Social Secretary, Canteen Supervisor, Competition Secretary and IT Help at one time or another.
 ?This isn?t a job for me or my husband. It?s a part of who we are and we enjoy every moment. We do it because we love this club and although there is no monetary gain, the pleasure of being part of a wonderful organization is gain enough,? said Poppy.
The Kotsiopoulos are six in total and all play for Merrylands Soccer Football Club.
Stan is in his fourth year at the club and has helped them in its IT handling in the past. Their eldest son, Jonathan, 14, has been playing for ten years and serves as midfielder while his younger brother William, 10, is happy to follow in his mum?s footsteps and stay between the posts. Alicia, 11, who has played since she was four is her U/12?s stopper while young Evan, 6, is still deciding where his best position will be as he enjoys his small sided games.
With such a large number of players in the one family the gesture by Football NSW according to Poppy, been ?very helpful? to her family.
?Everybody in the family was so happy with this gift by Football NSW. We were quick to pick up some new boots, shin pads, gloves and a pair of pop up goals which the kids use and which are utilized at the training sessions also.?
Asked what Poppy thought of contribution to local football clubs, she emphasized the need to for all parents to become involved with their children?s local sports organization.
?I urge that all parents become part of their kid?s football club. It may be just asking an official how they can help or volunteering to assist with some of the paperwork or canteen handling.
?That is how I got started. I simply asked if anybody needed some help, and because of that I now have a large network of friends and colleagues by my side.?
-By Caetano Lima