Canterbury Junior FC awarded inaugural ‘Superstar Sports Grassroots Football Cash Grant’

Canterbury Junior FC were announced as the inaugural recipients of the new ‘Superstar Sports Grassroots Football Cash Grants awarded on Friday at the ‘Football Fraternity Lunch’. 

The $300 grants will be awarded to a grassroots club every three months by a former player who went on to play at elite levels, including NSL, A-League, W-League, Socceroos and Matildas.

Canterbury Junior’s president James Hondros received the first grant at the quarterly “Football Fraternity Lunch’ at Haberfield’s Dolcissimo Restaurant.

The cheque was presented to Hondros by former club junior and Socceroo Peter Katholos.

“Our club is honoured to be the first recipients of these generous grants, said Hondros.

“To have our cheque presented by Peter Katholos makes it more special.

“He is one of three Socceroos we are very proud of, the other two being Ernie Campbell and Dennis Yaeger.

“Thanks to all concerned.”

Canterbury Junior Soccer Football Club was formed in 1923.

Due to the initiative of Andy Burton, a group of enthusiasts met and sat on a rock pile situated on a vacant block where Canterbury Hotel now stands.

Jack Daley was elected president, Andy Burton secretary and Tom English treasurer.

Later that year, Hurlstone Park was formed followed by the formation of the Canterbury and District Soccer Football Association (CDSFA).

The club was known as Canterbury Park, our strip was blue and gold vertical stripes and our home ground was Canterbury Park.

To commence the local district competitions, the CDSFA conducted All Age and U/16 years competitions.

Canterbury Park won both these competitions.

Greg Werner, the creator of the Grassroots Football Project further added, “What a great way to start this scheme.

“Canterbury are a club rich with history, also having produced three Socceroos.

“I’d like to thank our sponsors for their support, and we look forward to our second award announcement in June.”

The awards will commence in Sydney, but plans are in place for a national roll-out in coming months.

Superstar Sports’ Tony Raciti was also happy to see this project launch.

“We are proud to be behind these grants.

“Superstar Sports was established to help cut costs of equipment for my club APIA Leichhardt, but the enquiries from other clubs have been a welcome surprise.

“It’s time for some serious players in the sportswear market who are focused on helping junior sport, and not milking it.  Congratulations Canterbury.”

The “Football Fraternity Lunches” are an initiative of Zenith SEM, and are attended regularly by legends of Australian football, players, coaches, administrators and fans – led by patrons Rale Rasic, Les Scheinflug and Tony Labbozzetta.

The grants are an initiative of the widely acclaimed Grassroots Football Project in conjunction with sponsors Superstar Sports and Zenith Football Pathways.

(L-R) Football NSW Director Stephanie Brantz ,  Women’s Female Football Pioneer Trixie Tagg along with Football Australia Director Stefan Kamasz at the recent lunch.