| Olympia unveil new signing from South Melbourne |
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| Written by Walter Pless | Thursday, 26 May 2011 15:09 | |
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Photo: Olympia's new signing from South Melbourne, 19-year-old Jake Van der Mey, will make his debut against Glenorchy Knights [PlessPix] Olympia Warriors have signed 19-year-old defender Jake Van der Mey from South Melbourne Hellas in the Victorian Premier League. He was cleared by South Melbourne and signed by Olympia today in time for the club’s Forestry Tasmania Southern Premier League showdown with Glenorchy Knights at KGV Park on Friday at 8pm. Van der Mey was a member of the South Melbourne squad that played South Hobart at South Hobart in January’s Hill Street/Thrifty Cup. The signing comes following a visit to Melbourne this week by Olympia president George Mamacas and senior coach Franco Previdi, where they had discussions with South Melbourne’s coach, Eddie Krncevic, club president Leo Athanaskis and football director Ange Dallas. “From watching him training, he’s a good player,” said Previdi this afternoon.
“I had some very good chats with Eddie [Krncevic] and he basically said he’s a good kid who has played three or four games in the seniors.
“He needs a little bit more development and playing in senior football. South Melbourne are obviously aiming to win the league and they’ve just signed three or four players aged about 24 with a bit more experience.
“He’s a really good player and a few of our players played against him when they went over there to train with South Melbourne. They remember him.
“He’s a good kid. He’s 19 years old and I’m sure he can stand on his own, but I don’t want to put him under any more pressure.
“He’ll most likely play in defence, but we’ll wait and see our resources.
“In the next few weeks, we’ll probably sign another one.”
Olympia president, George Mamacas, sees this signing as part of a developing relationship between the Warriors and South Melbourne Hellas.
“Our club’s vision is to set up a pathway for youth players of the Olympia FC Warriors to attain a higher level of football on the mainland,” Mamacas said today.
“The South Melbourne FC facility, Bob Jane Stadium, is currently under construction and there is a projected 90 million dollars of refurbishments.
“We are aiming to set up a pilot program whereby fringe Victorian Premier League players of South Melbourne FC would be identified and spend one season with the Olympia FC Warriors in Tasmania on a yearly basis.
“South Melbourne FC would also make an annual visit to Warrior Park for pre-season training with the Olympia FC Warriors, and this would also include practice games.
“There would also be a scheduling of a South Melbourne FC Premier League home game during the season proper here in Tasmania to coincide with an Olympia FC Warriors home game as the curtain-raiser.
“Our club is now ready to embrace what will be a fruitful and everlasting relationship with South Melbourne FC.
“We see many benefits for our club and the football community throughout Tasmania.
“South Melbourne FC coach and former Australian international Eddie Krncevic will come down in a few weeks’ time and take a training session and be a guest at one of our home games.
“It is worth noting that the club’s vision was always to talk to South Melbourne in regard to players on their list that may be available.
“We, as a club, believe having players within our squad who are playing at a higher level will advance the development of our youth and give the younger players aspirations to take the next step.
“Also, it will give them a perspective and an insight into what is required to make it to the next level.
“The player we have signed for the duration of season 2011 is 19-year-old Jake Van der Mey.
“Playing in the centre-back position, he has made appearances at senior level this year.
“Eddie Krncevic has a high opinion of him and wants him to play senior football before seeing him push for a permanent starting position in 2012 with South Melbourne FC in the Victorian Premier League.
“Olympia FC Warriors want to be seen to be raising the bar and improving football both on and off the field.
“The reality is that this is great news for football in general and Olympia FC Warriors are playing their part at helping the game grow in our island state of Tasmania.” |
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| Last Updated on Thursday, 26 May 2011 15:24 | |
Comments
More desperation from George.
Olympia haters blog away your crap!. Football lovers please comment your input is always listened too.
How about this is great news for Tassie, a fantastic opportunity for all the football community to enjoy, South Hobart are lifting the bar to another level, Clarence have a few quality Koreans along with White Eagles
“The reality is that this is great news for football in general and Olympia FC Warriors are playing their part at helping the game grow in our island state of Tasmania"
Nice spin but ultimately empty rhetoric. Hired guns don't grow the sport or the club.
I think Anon 5 answered your question
I agree with you Corey.
I think the negative people need to have a think outisde the square and think of the benefits. What negatives can there possibly be to the local game....?
Better players introduced to the competition regularly will improve standard of play.
Having quality such as Hellas with premier league fixtures down throughout the season will raise the profile and hopefully coverage of the sport also.
Lol Anon #5 nailed you!
Until you and your committee are willing to actualy do some hard work and plan ahead, you will fly by year by year as your club has always done. you have now idea on how to run a club.
What was your comment out the changerooms Monday about the senir players G "they are dickheads" because they didn't welcome what you are doing. See what is left in 2012 hahahaha rebulding again I rekon.
Funny that your too gutless to write your name because you just mouthed at the greeks.
... Your a knob. Did you read what you were writing? haha
Chopper, we want to know who you are.
Wow, you're even unaware of your overt bias. And no, "saying, I think this is a great idea" before inserting the knife doesn't mean we can't see the knife sliding in."
I'm not affiliated with Olympia but I am sick to death of people whining about George Mamacas on this forum. He's pumping money and time into the local game! Will you just shut up! He or anyone else who invests in local football in Tasmania have far greater priorities in their life, we all do, he's just trying to do the best for his club and local football.
The answer is yes Red Devil, this is an ongoing relationship,
People need to realise that this is the top competition in tasmania. Therefore teams go out to WIN, not play well.
Look at the top english league, The epl, they are not just english players.
Tasmanians need to get out of the mind set that its a tassie league so only tassie players can play.
The more better players that come from overseas, or the mainland the better. It allows young tasmanian players a chance to train, and play with some quality players, and also gives them a chance to play with different styles of players.
The more "foreign" players in tasmania the better the standard will become. Players will train harder to try and match these imports.
Congrats olympia, i look forward to watching him play this week.
Warriers might escape relegation this year but I can see a major exodus of players next season as a result.
Attending pre season gives you the best opportunity to be picked, but it SHOULD NOT guarantee you a game.
'Importing' players is good for: the quality of the league, the strength of the team, the future of our game.
'Importing' players is not good for: one or two fringe players IN THE SHORT TERM.
It is like saying that clubs shouldnt attract GOOD players because it takes the spots of our AVERAGE players.
You have got no idea buddy. Players putting in the hard yards? i forgot this was under 7's where everyone had to get a run.
People like you is whats wrong with tasmanian football.
This import i promise you will be at every training, putting in harder work than your son will be at olympia.
The message it sends to players, is "ive got to work harder and be better than what he is"
#28 you obviously cant read !
Lets assume the players are putting the hard yards. Lets assume they are dedicated and club loyal. Lets also assume they can't play football and are getting pumped each week.
By your logic, the club should sit back and do nothing but stand by the players. This makes no sense I'm afraid.
Strategically speaking, the club needs to implement a youth development policy but the club will be less attractive for youths if it doesn't have a team in the top division, therefore the youth policy is compromised. Ergo, Olympic must strategically think short-term and do what they can and avoid relegation.
Chris got the sack ages ago mate, please move on and stop reflecting of Chris' 3 game wins in 2 years acting as if it was good coaching.
Any player thinking about playing with Olympia next year including players outside the club will think again.
Get a grip !
Good on you George for having the balls to try and improve your club.
Regards
Metro Supporter
Is this becasue Franco actually makes the players train hard and maybe get fit instead of promising people games?
Looks like changes to the PL set up next year as there is no way George will let Olympia go down and no way FFT will stand up to him.
Interessting times ahead. Look for expanded PL structure next year.
I beg your pardon? Carlton and Chris Judd? greatest club and greatest player...olympic rubbish club and no namer from sth melb. thanks for wasting mine and everyone else's time
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