By Peter Kambounias 

Sydney Olympic held it's official 2008 Season Launch at the Emporium Function Centre last night.

All players and coaches from the Under 13's all the way through to first grade were in attendance, along with the President Jim Kospetas and the Board, Technical Director Manny Spanoudakis, new FNSW Competitions Secretary and former Olympic president George Pashalis, ESSFA President Roy Belcher, City of Botany Bay Mayor Ron Hoenig, former technical director Les Scheinflug, Honourary Chairman John Constantine, Olympic Eagles President Danny Ishak, well known supporter and former director Jim Augerinos and West Sydney Berries CEO Lakis Konistis.

Manny Spanoudakis welcomed everyone to the night and declared that it was a great time to be associated with Sydney Olympic.

Youth Technical Director Max Groll revealed that all competition points from under 15's to First Grade will be added together and the total points will determine each club's status in the league.  He said that this will put pressure on the under 15's and up to deliver results that the club needs and deserves.  He asked for everyone to encourage and support all players for the season.

Jim Kospetas announced that Sydney Olympic are merging with Belmore Hercules to form a new merger club to be named Belmore Olympic which will compete in the Canterbury Association.  The merger is similar to Olympic's involvement with Olympic Eagles in the eastern suburbs.  Kospetas also said there are some other things happening but couldn't elaborate on them as yet, though he hinted that the club's association with the Hellenic Club is getting stronger.

The club also announced the signing of Jordanian international Siraj Al-Tall.

Manoli Plomaritis stepped up to the podium and donated $500 to the club and wished the club, players and coaches all the best for 2008.

Sydney Olympic First Grade Squad - 2008 

First Grade coach Milan Blagojevic addressed the function with a quietly confident belief of a year to look forward to:

"It's a big occasion for us as a club. We are looking forward to a great season from the juniors all the way up to first grade. It's a long season and we have a plan - it's a three year plan where we will be developing players in our youth teams so they can progress to first grade.  I'm hoping to build on what the club did last year."

"Our early results have been encouraging but we have a long way to go.  Our fitness levels are good but we have at least 15 to 20% more in us. Our next game against the Berries is important - we want to get a result to get us in the final."

"It's not only making the final.. it's the standard we want to set for all teams in the club.  We want to be a successful club. We want everyone to be proactive and professional. We hope to reward our supporters, our sponsors and the club with a successful season," Blagojevic said. 

As for the postponed game between Olympic and the Berries, news spread around the function that the game looks likely to be played this coming Tuesday night.

Sydney Olympic U20s Squad - 2008