Waratah Cup takes on unique importance for Rockdale according to Stavroulakis
Rockdale Ilinden stand-in coach Nick Stavroulakis has had a whirlwind few weeks, guiding the team through the pointy end of the 2024 NPL Men’s NSW season.
With head coach Paul Dee away with work commitments, Stavroulakis has stepped up to coach the team, including against some of the competition’s best.
Stravroulakis’ Ilinden have secured wins over APIA Leichhardt FC and Wollongong Wolves in recent rounds as they hope to close in on the 2024 NPL Men’s NSW title.
For Stavroulakis, the 39-year-old’s coaching journey since Dee’s hiatus has been a rewarding one.
“It’s been a good learning curve for me,” he said.
“This is why you coach or play football; you want to be in these games.
“To be able to help guide a team and looking to try and getting success in this part of the year is not easy.
“Jumping in the hot seat has allowed me to feel these different types of pressures from being an assistant.”
Stavroulakis himself is no stranger to the Waratah Cup.
The former combative defensive midfielder was one of the NPL Men’s NSW competition’s most fiercest competitors on the field where he played and captained the likes of the Sutherland Sharks, Sydney United 58 before retiring at APIA Leichhardt FC.
Throughout his illustrious NPL Men’s NSW career, Stavroulakis lifted the Waratah Cup trophy on four occasions whilst winning two Premierships and Championships as well as a National Premier Leagues Title along the way.
Wednesday night will be a special one in Rockdale’s history as they are set to contest in their first-ever Waratah Cup Final.
Stavroulakis said that Wednesday’s final represents a special moment, but lifting the trophy would add memorability.
“It’s a big milestone for the club to be able to play in its first-ever cup final,” he said.
“It’s an exciting time for the club to be able to showcase itself.
“We’re really proud about that moment but now you’re at the big dance, you want to end it with a trophy.”
Mathieu Cordier had been having an outstanding season down the left side of Ilinden’s team, netting four times and attracting interest from A-Leagues outfits.
Early on in Rockdale’s clash with Sydney United 58 in mid-July, Cordier suffered a broken leg that ended his season.
There was an extensive delay at the Ilinden Sports Centre as the 25-year-old was taken to hospital.
Cordier has been a part of the Rockdale project since Dee and Stavroulakis took over in 2022 but will miss out on a part in the team’s first major final.
Stavroulakis said that particular incident brought the group together further and has helped shape their mentality heading into Wednesday’s match.
“He’s a big part of not just our way of playing and our football philosophy, he’s a big part of that DNA because he came with us last season,” Stravroulakis said.
“It [Cordier’s injury] brought a mindset of ‘don’t die wondering’, where every game could be your last game.
“We step out on the pitch now for us as a collective to put a smile on his face because we know deep down, he wants us to try and lift trophies. He knows he’s been a part of it all.
“When he’s around, and he’s showing his face, you see the spring in the steps of the boys.”
Stavroulakis said that the tussle between APIA Leichhardt FC and Rockdale Ilinden at the top of the NPL Men’s NSW after the last two years will provide a spectacle on Wednesday.
Rockdale missed out on the NPL Men’s NSW Premiership to APIA by six points in 2023, while this year they sit four points clear at the top.
With two tight clashes in 2024, Stravroulakis said he is not placing emphasis on the current 15-point gap between the pair in the league.
Ilinden face APIA on Wednesday at 7:30 pm (AEST) at Jubilee Stadium.
Match Details:
Teams: Rockdale Ilinden FC vs APIA Leichhardt FC
Date: Wednesday 14 August
Venue: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Time: 7:30pm
*Match will be livestreamed on Football NSW’s YouTube Channel with Tony Tannous and Alex Molchanoff calling the huge clash.
