Sydney FC kickstart season with NSW State League roadshow

Sydney FC will play five matches against NSW State League opposition, including the first ever match against former Australian Football powerhouse and NSW Super League side St George, as well as clashes with NSW Super League side Macarthur Rams and NSW Premier League clubs Bankstown City Lions, Parramatta FC and Sutherland Sharks.
The State League friendlies will give fans the first opportunity to watch Sydney FC?s new signings Pascal Bosschaart, Michael Beauchamp and Jamie Coyne in action, as well as the return of 2009/10 Premiership Player Karol Kisel, who last wore the Sky Blue jersey in the epic 2009/10 Hyundai A-League Grand Final.
After a late finish to the 2010/11 season due to the AFC Champions League campaign, Sydney FC starts Pre Season training on Monday (18 July) with all 20 contracted players fit and ready for action. The only players missing from the first few weeks of Pre Season Training are Australian U20 World Cup trio Terry Antonis, Rhyan Grant and Dimi Petratos.
?We have had a good break after a very long (2010/11) season and we are ready for the Pre Season and to play the matches against the State League teams before we move into practice games with A-League teams and then the season,? said Sydney FC Coach Vitezslav Lavicka.
?We have some new players and will use the games to introduce them to the team and prepare for the start of the A-League season against Melbourne Victory (on 8 October).?
Over the last four seasons, Sydney FC has played 25 friendlies against State League clubs, all of which have been played in the catchment areas of those clubs, giving the people of Sydney the chance to watch Sydney FC play in their own backyards and injecting money into the game?s grassroots.
Along with the player visits to junior football clubs over the last month, it is an important part of Sydney FC?s on-going effort to engage with one of its most important stakeholder groups ? the Sydney Football Community.
?We have always enjoyed playing the State League teams, it is important for the club and the Community, and we get some good matches,? Lavicka said. ?We have some good memories of playing at State League grounds in front of the Sydney FC fans.?
Sydney FC?s Pre Season State League schedule:
Wed 3 August – Macarthur Rams v Sydney FC – Campbelltown Stadium – 7.30pm
Wed 10 August – St George v Sydney FC – WIN Jubilee Stadium – 7.30pm
Wed 17 August – Parramatta FC v Sydney FC – Parramatta Stadium – 7.30pm
Wed 24 August – Bankstown City Lions v Sydney FC – Jensen Park – 7.30pm
Wed 31 August – Sutherland Sharks v Sydney FC – Seymour Shaw – 7.30pm
-Sydney FC Press Release