Sydney United to host Sydney FC in Charity Match

Sydney FC?s long hard road back to the top of the Hyundai A-League will bring them to BOKA Stadium in the first stage of an arduous pre season.
The eight-match ?road trip? is an extension of last year?s pre season that saw Sydney FC play three matches against State League opposition but coach Vitezslav Lavicka?s thirst for more pre season matches mirrors Sydney FC?s desire to take the game to the people of Sydney.
?I want to play as many games (as) possible so we can start to play together,? said Sydney FC coach Vitezslav Lavicka. ?I have a good feeling after the start of training and with the players. We also need to play games, many games.
?We will start with (the) games with local (State League) teams to build little by little and then after (that) we will play some tougher games. I am happy with these games. It will help us be ready for the first (Hyundai) A-League game.?
Lavicka?s willingness to embrace Sydney FC?s desire to connect with the Sydney football community has also pleased Sydney FC CEO Stefan Kamasz.
?Last year we started this initiative with games against Blacktown, Sutherland and Manly at their grounds around Sydney and we had great crowds at those games,? Kamasz said. ?This is an extension of our desire to embrace the wider football community.
?Sydney FC has stated we are serious in continuing to increase what we do with the community and I think this schedule, and the initiatives that will take place at all eight matches, proves we are willing to back up our intentions with actions.
?This schedule allows Vitja (Lavicka) to play some important pre season games, allows Sydney FC to take the stars to the fans at suburban grounds and also allows young State League players to test themselves against A-League opposition.?
As well as playing games against TeleChoice Premier League and NSW State League sides, members of the Sydney FC coaching staff will also spend time with young players and coaches at each club before and during the match to help pass on valuable knowledge.
?Sydney FC wants to do more than just show up, play the game and help raise some money for local football so we will be putting on some coaching sessions for the elite Youth League players and ?coach the coaches? sessions with the Youth League coaches.
?The feedback we have received from clubs and Football NSW tells us we can offer a great service to the local football fraternity by passing on knowledge from our coaching staff and it is an important part of what we are trying to achieve over these eight weeks.?
The game versus Sydney United will be held on Wednesday 24th June 2009, with kick off at 7:30pm, and Sydney United will be donating 50% of their ticket sales to the Holdsworth Community Centre at Woollahra, who supports children with Autism and other disabilities.
The match details are as follows:
Match: SYDNEY UNITED FC vs. SYDNEY FC
Date: Tuesday 23rd June 2009
Venue: Sydney United Sports Centre
Kick Off: 7:30pm
Gates Open: 6:00pm
ADULTS: $10
CONCESSION: $5
CHILDREN: $5
Tickets will be going on sale on Wednesday 13th May 2009 from the Sydney United club office.
For further information:
Online: www.sydneyunited.com.au
Email: info@sydneyunited.com.au
Telephone: (02) 9823 6418 during office hours or 0400 463 948 after hours