NSW Premier League launches in style for 2011
The fine surroundings set the tone for a competition that continues to develop, whilst the professional approach by each club and their representatives epitomizes the magnitude of what is the NSW Premier League.
A number of media outlets accompanied by club representatives from each of the twelve NSW Premier League clubs were on hand on kick start the 2011 season in what many believe will be one to look out for.
2011 promises to provide an evenly matched playing field with no clear outright favourite in the lead-up to Round 1.
The usual suspects in Bonnyrigg White Eagles, Sydney United, Blacktown City, Marconi Stallions and Sydney Olympic start each season with a strong case for a tilt at the title, though the likes of clubs such as APIA Leichhardt Tigers could state their own claims for a strong league run.
Football NSW Chairman Robert Sestan began the media launch proceedings and reiterated the value the NSW Premier League was to the Australian game.
?The NSW Premier League is the state?s premier football competition and features the top local talent NSW has to offer and is of course plays as a pathway from local to national football.
?As we enter the eleventh season of the NSW Premier League we can reflect on the past ten years of development and growth in the competition. Year on year the NSW Premier League is regarded as Australia?s number one nursery of talent producing tomorrow?s A-League stars.
?Players such as Panny Nikas (North Queensland Fury), Matthew Ryan (Central Coast Mariners), Iain Ramsay (Adelaide United), Hirofumi Moriyasu (APIA Leichhardt Tigers), Mirjan Pavlovic (Wellington Phoenix) and Dimitri Petratos (Sydney FC) as coaches such Phil Moss (Central Coast Mariners) have all moved on from the NSW Premier League in 2010 to leave a significant impression on the 2010/2011 Hyundai A-League season.?
During the course of the NSW Premier League media launch two special guests in the form of Central Coast Mariners? Assistant Coach Phil Moss and Sydney FC?s rising youngster Terry Antonios were interviewed by MC and Football NSW Executive Manager of Commercial Services Tony Peters about their involvements with the NSW Premier League.
Moss, who was previously the head coach of Manly United for quite some years, praised the importance of the NSW Premier League and what it offered to aspiring footballers.
?The NSW Premier League plays an important role in the running of the game here in Australia.
?I believe if you don?t have a good state based competition then you will struggle to get a competitive Hyundai A-League.
?The NSW Premier League is certainly a breeding ground for a number of our rising stars we see now in the Hyundai A-League and looking at it from the Mariners point of view, you only have to see the success of Matthew Ryan, Mustafa Amini and Bernie Ibini to realise how far the boys have progressed.
?I?ll be scouting the NSW Premier League when it commences as it is my job to select the best players outside of the Hyundai A-League.?
Meanwhile Antonios, a former Marconi Stallions and Sydney Olympic junior, preached the good work and platform the NSW Premier League is at in developing future stars of tomorrow.
?Having slowly matured as a player through the system I can see the huge importance clubs in the NSW Premier League are to the development of players.
?I know that a number of these clubs have great youth policies and are working around the clock in assisting with player growth which can only get better.
?Look at how many players have gone from playing in the NSW Premier League and the Under 20?s competition to playing first team football in the Hyundai A-League ? this result speaks for itself.|
Representatives from all 12 NSW Premier League clubs were on hand to chat to the media about their chances for 2011:
APIA Leichhardt Tigers
APIA Leichhardt Tigers were the form team of 2010 heading into the Final?s Series winning an impressive six games straight at the backend of the season. With stars Robbie Younis, Nicola Rizzo and Franco Parisi leading the charge, they pose a threat to any side throughout the competition. APIA has lost Matthew Nash to the A-League but have secured the services of Marconi shot-stopper Jose Bello Amigo. Unknown off-season signings Wand Jajaw (Hills Brumbies), Cole Tinkler (Macarthur Rams), Sam Messam (Macarthur Rams) and Chris James (Overseas) may be the ?X-factor? needed to transform APIA to Championship contenders.
Star midfielder Nick Rizzo pinpointed APIA?s poor start as their achilles heel in season 2010, the club will be looking to rectify their past season mistakes in being a genuine title contender in 2011.
?We?re working on a better start to the season, last season we only achieved one point from seven games ? that is not acceptable at this level.
?We?ll be looking to be consistent as were towards the end of last season.?
Rizzo was optimistic about the club?s new signings as well as the recently announced $2.2 million commitment made by NSW Opposition Leader Barry O?Farrell.
?The recruits have done well; the three New Zealanders have all gelled well.
?The side is now well balanced and experienced across the park.
?The grant is great news, we?ve had training ground issues and issues with the pitch hopefully the grant will hope provide Lambert Park with a synthetic pitch.?
Bankstown City Lions
Bankstown City Lions are facing a struggle heading into the competition this season simply due to the large number of changes to playing personnel. No less the 13 new faces have been listed by the Lions this season with former Technical Director Blagoja Kuleski now in the hot seat. Bankstown did however retain the services of Captain Zlatko Joseski, Stefanos Liavas, Shannon Burgin and Hussein Salameh. Bankstown however have recorded some positive pre-season results and will doubt ask a lot of questions of any teams opposing defence.
Club captain Zlatko Joseski understands it?s a difficult season ahead but can see a brighter future for the club.
?It?s my thirteen season with the club and I am eagerly looking forward to the new challenge ahead of me.
?I know we have a number of new faces but it is something that I?ve been part of once before with the Wolves where we retained five players from the entire squad.
?It will take a few rounds but we will adjust and be ready for the competition ? we?ve bonded well so far in pre-season and I am confident we can produce the goods come end of the season.?
Blacktown City FC
NSW Premier League Champions Blacktown City faces a testing 2011 with duel championship winning coach Aytek Genc and talismanic striker Tolgay Ozbey departing the Seven Hills based side. Mark Crittenden takes the reigns in season 2011 and the former Assistant Coach has the luxury of working with a bulk of last year?s squad with the addition of former Blacktown City players Michael Brown (Bonnyrigg White Eagles) and Milorad Simonovic (Bonnyrigg White Eagles). Blacktown City regardless will again be a force to reckon with in 2011.
Crittenden was confident in his ability to lead Blacktown City FC to a successful 2011 Premier League campaign.
?It?s a tough job? They?ll be big shoes to fill.
?I think I?ve got the experience, I?ve worked with some tough guys such as Genc, Brian Brown and Lee Sterrey.
?Our goal is to make the top five and see what happens from there ? I?ll make sure I continue to coach the Blacktown way but implementing my own style.?
Bonnyrigg White Eagles
Reigning Premiers Bonnyrigg White Eagles have reinforced their squad with a number of significant signings; including Ben Spruce (Sutherland Sharks), Michael Robinson (Sutherland Sharks), Blake Powell (Sutherland Sharks), Alex Canak (Marconi Stallions) and Tynan Diaz (South Coast Wolves). Bonnyrigg have retained the nucleus of the squad which dominated the competition last season, added with these signings, the White Eagles will again be title challengers in 2011.
White Eagles coach Brian Brown was weary of the tough task ahead being the benchmark based on last season?s performances.
?Names certainly look good on paper but it will all come down to how we fair in our matches.
?I understand because many clubs have signalled us as the team to beat we need to lift higher.
?I do believe that we have a better squad than 2010 and I also have a feeling that this season?s competition will be one of the most exciting yet with so many clubs recruiting well in the coaching and player department.?
Brown signalled out one youngster who he believes has the goods to play in the Hyundai A-League very soon.
?David Vrankovic is only 17 but I cannot see why he can?t be part of the A-League as he has all the features of becoming a very good footballer.?
Manly United
A new-look Manly United will take to the NSW Premier League in 2011 with no less than nine new faces listed. Craig Midgley takes the reigns from now Central Coast Mariners Assistant Phil Moss and will be looking to impressive in his first full season at the helm. Two-time Gold Medal winner Robbie Cattanach will again be focus of United?s attack in 2011 and will be out to prove his worth after an injury hit 2010. United have recruited four overseas players (Kang Ho Lee, Seung Soo Lee, Thibault Marchal and Colin Iley) to help cover the significant void left by the departure of over ten experienced players. Manly United have always played good football and fans and opposition sides should expect no less in 2011.
Midgley understood that the club took a hit with a number of experienced players departing Cromer Park but is enthusiastic in the potential of finding Manly?s next stars.
?We lost a lot of experienced players and bought a number of unknown young lads ? which does make us somewhat of an unknown quantity.
?Pre-season has been ok so far as many of the lads have slowly gelled together but I understand this will take time before we see results.?
The Englishman was extremely thankful for the guidance of former Manly United coach Phil Moss but understands as a young coach it?s still a learning process.
?I learned a lot from Mossy during his time at the club and I can only congratulate him on what he has done over at the Mariners.
?I am a young coach with fresh ideas and I am happy to be part of the setup here at Manly where I am looking forward to a strong season.?
Marconi Stallions
Waratah Cup Champions Marconi Stallions endured an up and down season in 2010. The Stallions never really broke the shackles and asserted their dominance in the competition, labouring into 5th during the regular season and then bundled out of the Finals Series in the first week. The Marconi faithful did have something to cheer about however with the side winning the 2010 Waratah Cup ? the clubs first major trophy in 14 years. In 2011 they will be led by ex-Stallions defender Luke Casserly and with a blend of current and young stars added with the experience of goal poachers Matthew Mayora (Sydney Olympic) and Keith Shevlin (Manly United) look for the Stallions to pose a serious threat in 2011.
The former Socceroo planned to pull on the boots for 2011 until he was offered a full-time role as head coach of the Stallions.
?Originally my plan was to play another year but when Marconi rang me and offered me the job I accepted the challenge as I felt as though it was something I was up to in accomplishing in my career so far.?
Casserly was ecstatic by the signing of former Sydney Olympic goalscorer Matthew Mayora and hopes his experience along with the current crop of stars can take Marconi to the next level.
?Matthew is known for his goalscoring records and has a good reputation in the NSW Premier League.
?The challenge is of course high for him at the Stallions as expectations are at fever pitch but I expect him to do well as he sets himself high expectations also.
?The players have also done well thus far during pre-season and I have a good feeling that they can take the club towards the next level and play finals football and challenge for the title.?
Parramatta Eagles
Season 2011 sees the return of Parramatta Eagles to the State?s top flight, with West Sydney Berries relegated to the NSW Super League. Emerging from the disappointment of a Grand Final loss in 2009 to Spirit FC, Parramatta Eagles secured the NSW Super League Premiership in 2010 cementing a return to NSW Premier League football.
Eagles coach Brian Dene was realistic about the challenges ahead.
?It will be a very tough year for us but we need to focus on playing consistently and working on our discipline and especially our defence in getting the best out of the players this season.
?I know I have a good group of players who will give it their all and fight for points especially at home as we want to be involved in the NSW Premier League for years to come.?
Dene echoed the commitment of one of his senior players in Angelo Petratos, who at 42, continues to defy the odds.
?Angelo is great for us, he helps the young guys out and offers great advice but as a footballer he hasn?t lost his touch at all.?
Rockdale City Suns
Rockdale City Suns impressed everyone in season 2010, finishing a respectable 7th in their return season to the NSW Premier League. Rockdale proved to be a thorn in many titles contenders side, losing only four times throughout the entire season ? a feat only bettered by Premiers Bonnyrigg White Eagles. Rockdale recruited well in the offseason with Kosta Lagoudakis (West Sydney Berries), Jason Naidovski (Marconi Stallions), James Monie (Sydney Olympic), Sash Tirovski (West Sydney Berries), Steven Veleski (Sydney United) and Mirko Jurilj (Blacktown City FC) some of the big names to join the Suns. Under the guidance of Lee Sterrey, the Suns will be a dark-horse in season 2011.
Sterrey praised former Suns coach Mile Todoroski in building Rockdale?s reputation as a tough nut to crack. The former Fijian coach underlined the tough task ahead in meeting Todoroski?s feats but is looking forward to the challenge.
?To have come in the eleventh hour was surprising to say the least. I am good friends with Mile outside of football and spoke to him after he left the club. I was disappointed for him but that?s football.
?I can say that my squad is Mile?s squad ? I have bought two extra additions to the squad.
?I believe it is the toughest job I have accepted thus far in my coaching career but I know we have a good mix of players and believe that stability will be paramount to success for us in 2011.?
South Coast Wolves
South Coast Wolves have arguably made the biggest signing of the off season, securing the prized signature of former Newcastle Jets forward Sasho Petrovski. His experience and prowess in front of goal will no doubt serve the Wolves well in 2011. Added with new signings Jacob Timpano (Sydney United) and Lawrence Drake (Unattached), the Wolves present an interesting mix of experience and youthful exuberance that will be sure to rattle teams throughout the 2011 Premier League season.
Wolves coach Trevor Morgan spoke of the club?s youth policy in rebuilding the South Coast outfit.
?Whilst we do have a number of boys travelling down from Sydney a majority of our squad live or have played their junior career in this South Coast area.
?If we want to be the premier team in that area we want to ensure we have the best young talent playing for the Wolves.?
Morgan was elated with the late prized signing of Petrovski and is looking forward to what he can bring to the squad.
?Players like Sasho are a substantial influence on the young players we have in our squad.
?We?re looking forward to not only what he can bring to the park but what experience he can pass on.?
Sutherland Sharks
2009 NSW Premier League Champions Sutherland Sharks, like Marconi, never really got going in season 2010. Halted by poor form and significant injuries early on in the campaign, the Sharks left their run to a Final?s Series spot to late ? finishing 6th during the regular season. The Sharks have lost four Premiership winning players with Neil Jablonski (Hakoah FC), Black Powell (Bonnyrigg White Eagles), Michael Robinson (Bonnyrigg White Eagles) and Ben Spruce (Bonnyrigg White Eagles) all leaving the Shire. Sutherland has covered their losses with the signing of North Queensland Fury?s Panny Nikas, Nick Tsattalios (Sydney Olympic), Lachlan Cahill (Blacktown City FC), Matt Bailey (Bulli) and Ehsan Popal (FC Bossy Liverpool). 2011 will be somewhat a redemption season for Coach Robbie Stanton as he aims to once again feature in the NSW Premier League Finals Series.
Sutherland Sharks? influential midfielder Nick Stavroulakis promised that last season was only a hiccup and that the Shire based outfit are back on track in season 2011.
?We?ve backed ourselves up this year by recruiting a couple of players in the form of Panny Nikas who is a very important inclusion to our squad as well as the likes of Nick Tsattalios. Lachlan Cahill and Matthew Bailey ? all four bring something new to our squad.
?All the players knew that last season was a hiccup but we believe we are on our way again in contesting as a finals series contender.?
Sydney Olympic
Along with the White Eagles, Sydney Olympic have also left a significant impression on the player transfer market securing no less than eight former Bankstown City Lions (Ibrahim Haydar, Richard Luksic, Hussein Akil, Robert Mileski, Bill Tsanidis, William Angel, Steven Tibbets and Brett Studman) players ? all of whom have followed coaching duo Peter Tsekenis and Peter Papoythis to the club. Added with the signing of talented youth players Nenad Vekic (Bonnyrigg White Eagles) and David Gullo (Bonnyrigg White Eagles), the Sydney Olympic faithful are hopeful of a return to the glory days.
A passionate Tsekenis reiterated his desire for success at the Belmore based club and believes he?s built a side capable of doing the jersey proud.
?I?ve gone to Olympic with no expectations but I know what expectations the club have and I wouldn?t want to be anywhere else.
?I wanted to recruit well where I kept a couple of boys from last season?s squad and bought back players to the side who wanted to play for the jersey as I believe that is the most important aspect.
?Reality is that most players follow coaches, it wasn?t my intention to take players from Bankstown as they are a great club and have given me the opportunity to where I am today as a coach but I knew I needed a change of environment.?
Sydney United
Arguably the most consistent side over the past five seasons, Sydney United will again be a force to reckon with in season 2011. United has reappointed 2006 Championship winning Coach Jean Paul de Marigny in hope of a trophy laden season. The retirement of veteran defender Joe Vrkic and forward David Zdrillic were the only major casualties felt by United in retention of last year?s squad. Former Adelaide United defender Mark Rudan has signed with the club, filling the void left by Vrkic across the backline. Furthermore, Sydney United fan favourite Ante Tomic has returned to the club after a season stint with the Melbourne Heart. Added with the signing of Ben Vidaic (Sutherland Sharks) and Milan Bosnar (Dandaloo FC) there is no doubt Sydney United will be a title contender in season 2011.
De Marigny was complacent upon his return to the club and stated that he was happy with the squad and looks forward to the challenges ahead.
?We will be ultra-competitive this year. I have settled in well and I believe the players have also gelled together which is a huge positive for us.
?We need to remain positive, focused and play consistent football in getting to where we want to be at the end of the season and that?s vying for the Premiership and Championship.?
The Reds boss confirmed that the signings of Rudan and Talay were huge boosts for the Edensor Park based outfit.
?After having a chat with both boys I can assure you that both are mentally and physically adequate for a full season.
?Both guys take pride in their ability and performance.?
Round 1 of the NSW Premier League commences on Saturday the 26th of March with two matches highlighted before the remaining round ends on Sunday the 27th of March.
Saturday 26th March
Bankstown City FC v Marconi Stallions ? Jensen Park ? 7pm
Sutherland Sharks v Blacktown City FC ? Seymour Shaw ? 7pm
Sunday 27th March
Rockdale City Suns V APIA Leichhardt Tigers ? Ilinden Sports Centre ? 3pm
Parramatta FC v Bonnyrigg White Eagles ? Melita Stadium ? 3pm
South Coast Wolves v Sydney Olympic ? John Crehan Park ? 4pm
Sydney United v Manly United ? Sydney United Sports Centre ? 4pm
-Football NSW Media Release
