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HAMILTON goalkeeper Danny Ireland is no stranger to grand final pressure and believes it is all on Edgeworth heading into the Northern NSW National Premier League grand final on Sunday.

Ireland will play in his third grand final in three seasons of top division football in Northern NSW when Olympic take on the minor premiers at Magic Park.

The 193-centimetre tall Ireland has arguably been the best gloveman in the competition over the past three years and has been a key factor in Olympic rising from sixth place in 2014 to third and grand finalists this season after moving from Lambton Jaffas.

Ireland was in goal as the Jaffas lost 4-1 to Broadmeadow Magic in the decider and he was back on the competition’s biggest day of the year in 2014 when Lambton defeated Weston 2-0.

He was optimistic about a snaring another major premiership on Sunday.

“I enjoyed my time at Lambton but I’m also enjoying my time at Hamilton,” Ireland said.

“They are good bunch of guys, just like they are at Lambton, and we’ve got a good team.

“We should do well in the grand final, we’ve just got to hang in there and keep pressing. Opportunities will come.”

The past two seasons Lambton Jaffas went in as the lower-ranked team from the regular season.

Hamilton were unbeaten this year until going down to Edgeworth 3-1 in round 12. They finished third as the Eagles powered to the minor premiership, three points clear of Jaffas and four ahead of Olympic.

Ireland indicated Hamilton were enjoying the underdog tag heading into the decider.

“The boys are feeling pretty relaxed,” Ireland said. “If anything the pressure is on Edgy. They won the comp and everyone is expecting them to win, so we go in there with no pressure.

“They’ve been great all season, but they are not unbeatable,” he said.

“We beat them during the season and they beat us, so I think we’re in there with a good chance.”

Hamilton are buoyant after coming back from 2-0 down 77 minutes into the second-leg semi-final against the Jaffas last week to progress to the decider 3-2 on aggregate.

The success came despite an uncharacteristic display from Ireland against the Jaffas.

The former Australian under-20 and Coventry City shot-stopper twice failed to clear the ball before Riley McNaughton scored Lambton’s second and Luke Remington beat him from an acute angle for the opener. The 24-year-old, though, was unfazed heading into the grand final.

“Over the course of the season, you get games where sometimes you’re not playing your best, but it’s just as long as the team pulls through, that’s all that matters,” he said.

“I’ve just got to train like I have, and prepare like I usually do.”

• Hunter Sports High School finished third in the Bill Turner Trophy girls’ knockout on Wednesday with a 3-0 win over Cavendish Road High at Speers Point.

Renee Pountney, Hannah Bourke and Abbey Taylor scored for Hunter Sports. Westfields Sports High won the final 7-0 over Holy Spirit, Bellambi.

Westfields won the Bill Turner Cup boys’ final 3-1 over Ipswich Grammar. St Peters, Maitland, drew 2-2 with Maribyrnong College in the third-place playoff.

source:theherald.com.au

JACOB Bailey admits he had plenty of nerves when he ran out for his first top-grade grand final in 2012.

In his first year with heavyweight club Hamilton, Bailey was part of their maiden minor premiership but felt the pain of grand final defeat when Broadmeadow downed a 10-man Olympic 4-1.

Three years on, the 26-year-old has gone from nervous youngster to the midfield enforcer and mentor for Olympic as they look to erase the memory of that defeat against Edgeworth in the Northern NSW National Premier League decider on Sunday at Magic Park.

Bailey was a standout for Hamilton across their nerve-racking 3-2 semi-final win on aggregate over Lambton Jaffas. Last Sunday, he played 120 minutes in the middle of the park as Hamilton fought back from two goals down in the second-leg qualifier to draw 2-2 and progress to the decider.

Hamilton coach Michael Bolch said the performance was typical of Bailey’s effort this campaign, in which he has been part of the senior players’ group along with Kyle Hodges and Andrew and Matt Swan.

‘‘He’s been a leader out on the park this season and been one of our best all year along with Kyle,’’ Bolch said.

‘‘He’s been very good at winning those 50-50 balls and he just loves the battle.

‘‘He epitomises everything we have tried to do this year.

‘‘He always seems to be in the right place at the right time, he does a lot of the dog work in the middle of the park, but he never complains.

‘‘He’s good with the young kids as well. He’s been a really great mentor for guys like Tom Davies, Rhys Cooper and Pat Brown.’’

Brown, Bailey and Ben Koina are the only survivors of Olympic’s 2012 grand final side.

Bailey believes Olympic’s even balance of youth and experience, and added mobility up front with the likes of Simon Mooney, can get them over the line this time around.

‘‘I think we’re a lot more attacking and from our results this year, our for and against, we’re right up there with the best. There’s obviously something there that’s working for us and it keeps us in good stead for the game on the weekend.’’

Regardless of the challenge come Sunday, Edgeworth will know Bailey is in the contest.

One of the hardest competitors in the league, Bailey has a reputation for his physical style but also his cheeky smile and on-field banter with opponents.

‘‘It’s all part of the game, the battle, and it’s a part I really enjoy,’’ he said.

‘‘This year, out of most years gone by, I’ve enjoyed it a lot, probably because of the playing group we’ve got.

‘‘We’ve gelled really well with that good mix of young and old, and that’s led to some good results for us. I’m hoping it’s going to take us one further.’’

Broadmeadow win race to sign up demoted Gunners skipper

BROADMEADOW have moved quickly to secure the signing of long-time South Cardiff captain Jarryd Johnson as they attempt to get back to the top of the league.

Magic co-coach Bob Naumov announced on Tuesday that the midfielder had agreed to join the club for next year after the Gunners’ last-place finish and demotion.

Several clubs were chasing the signature of the 28-year-old and Naumov was excited about securing his services as Magic look to improve on their fourth-place finish and loss in the semi-finals to Edgeworth on away goals last week.

Naumov and Robert Virgili returned to coach Broadmeadow this season after the side were second-last as the three-time defending major premiers last year.

‘‘We’re disappointed with where we finished this year and we as coaches are disappointed with what we achieved, so we’ve decided to stay on for another year,’’ Naumov said.

He believed Johnson could be the missing piece to the puzzle in 2016.

‘‘He’s always been seen as one of the best midfielders in the comp but I don’t think he’s really reached his full potential,’’ he said.

‘‘Hopefully with him coming out of his comfort zone next year, he will excel, and I believe he will.’’

■  Edgeworth will break a 20-year record if they complete a clean sweep of the Northern NSW NPL grand finals on Sunday.

Weston were the last club, in 1995, to win all senior deciders in the top NNSW division and Edgeworth assistant coach Tony Lyons, who was part of the sweep, has enjoyed 20-year anniversary celebrations this year. The Eagles were minor premiers in first grade and under 22s but have come from fourth place in under19s to meet runners-up Magic in the grand final.

■  Hunter Sports High School’s girls team and ASC, St Peter’s, Maitland’s boys side will play off for third in the 15years schools Bill Turner knockout on Wednesday after losses on Tuesday.

The St Peter’s boys lost 8-0 to Westfields Sports High  at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility and on Wednesday will meet Maribyrnong College, Victoria, who went down 2-1 to Ipswich Grammar in their semi-final.

Hunter Sports High’s girls side also lost to Westfields Sports, going down 2-1 a golden goal scored in extra time.

Renee Pountney scored in the 44th minute for Hunter Sports to cancel out Princess Ibini-Isei’s goal, but Rosaria Galea netted the winner.

Westfields play Holy Spirit, Bellambi, who beat Cavendish Road High in the other semi, for the title.

NPL GRAND FINALS

SUNDAY, MAGIC PARK

1ST GRADE (3pm)

Eagles (1) v Olympic (3)

UNDER 22s (1pm)

Eagles (1) v Emerging

Jets U18s (2)

UNDER 19s (11am)

Magic (2) v Eagles (4)

source:theherald.com.au

The 2015 NPL Grand Final between Edgeworth Eagles vs Hamilton Olympic on Sunday 6th September at 3.00, will be live streamed by NBN for anyone who is unable to attend.

http://www.nbntv.com.au/content/2015-npl-grand-final

source:nbntv.com.au

On a near perfect Sunday afternoon at Arthur Eden Oval, Hamilton Olympic came from 0-2 behind, to record a 2-2 draw against Lambton Jaffas and march into the 2015 NPL Grand Final with an aggregate 4-3 score-line.

Both teams spent the opening quarter of the game with physical exchanges and few chances, as you would expect in a game of this level of importance.

The first sniff at a goal scoring opportunity came in the 17th minute with a header by Luke Remington which didn’t appear to trouble Danny Ireland. Ten minutes later, Michael Bridges followed this up with a long range effort which went well over the Olympic goal.

The first opportunity to Olympic didn’t come until the 34th minute when Kane Goodchild weaved his way through a number of bodies, passed to Pat Brown who sent a great shot crashing onto the cross bar with Brad Swancott well beaten.

Seconds before half time, Luke Remington was given too much space and time on the ball on the left and from what appeared a harmless position, he sent Lambton Jaffas with a 1-0 lead into the break!

The second half began with the Jaffas team putting pressure on the Olympic goal which culminated in a 2-0 lead from a volley by Riley McNaughton, after Danny Ireland failed to clear a cross. It could have been curtains for Olympic when a long range effort from outside the box rebounded off the crossbar!

Olympic replied with a great through ball to Pat Brown who forced a great save from an outstretched Brad Swancott.

The urgency on the Olympic bench becomes apparent when they bring into the game Mathew Swan in place of Simon Mooney and Jason Korotkich in place of Ben Koina, with the later partnering Jacob Bailey in the midfield and Reece Cooper moving further forward, just behind Kane Goodchild.

Mason Campbell chips a delightful ball from the back to Mathew Swan on the left who sends in a ball across the face of the Jaffa’s goal and eventually to the head of Pat Brown who buries it into the net for a 1-2 score-line!

Olympic are enjoying a good attacking spell with the Swan brothers combining well and forcing a great save from Brad Swancott while an effort by a Reece Cooper – Kane Goodchild combination results in the Jaffa’s goalie clearing with his feet.

Olympic continue to press for the equaliser which will avoid the game going into extra time with Jacob Baley forcing Brad Swancott to finger-tip the ball out and Jason Korotchich firing a shot onto the body of the Jaffa’s goalie.

Despite the efforts of the Olympic players the game goes into extra time.

During this period, Olympic continue their attacking momentum but Jaffas attack too! We have an extra half an hour of open ended football with goal mouth action at both ends.

During an Olympic counter attack, Reece Cooper gets behind the Jaffa’s defence and with the keeper to beat, pushes the ball through Brad Swancott’s legs to record a final 2-2 scoreline!

Hamilton Olympic win 4-3 on aggregate and join Edgeworth Eagles next week in 2015 EPL Grand Final.

Earlier in the day U19s lost 3-0 to Broadmeadow Magic and were eliminated with a 4-2 aggregate score while U22s crashed out to Emerging Jets 2-0 for an elimination and an 8-1 aggregate score.

Source: Tom Tsamouras

FIVE years after wining a premiership as a player for Edgeworth, Damian Zane has an opportunity win one in his first season as coach.

The Eagles survived a late scare to hold on for a scoreless draw against Broadmeadow Magic in the second leg of the Northern NSW National Premier

League qualifying semi-final at Jack McLaughlan Oval on Saturday.
The stalemate followed a 3-all draw in the opening leg at Magic Park.Edgeworth progress to the grand final on the ‘‘away-goals’’ rule.

Zane had the quick reflexes of keeper Jim Fogarty to thank for sealing a place in the decider. Magic were awarded a free-kick in injury time and Peter Hhaynes curled a superb effort which was headed for the top corner of the goal.

But Fogarty moved quickly and got enough on the ball to turn it around the post.
‘‘I aged about 10 years in five minutes,’’ a relieved Zane said.
‘‘All I know it was pretty close.’’

Zane, a striker, scored in the Eagles’ 4-2 win over Weston in the 2010 grand final, Edgeworth’s last premiership.

‘‘I won’t say I didn’t have expectations at the start of the year,’’ Zane said.
‘‘To make the grand final, and having won the minor premiership and pushing Melbourne City in the FFA Cup … it has been an unbelievable season.

‘‘Our under-22s and under-19s are also through to the grand final, which is another amazing effort.’’

Zane had special praise for the Eagles’ commitment especially in defence.
‘‘Magic only know one way and that is to go at you,’’ Zane said.

‘‘We are built fairly strong defensively.

‘‘I wouldn’t say we had intentions to sit deep.

‘‘But obviously we knew a clean sheet would get us through to the grand final.

‘Our stoppers, Pat Wheeler, Ayden Brice and Josh Evans were really good against the best strike force in the league.

‘‘It was an unbelievable effort to keep them scoreless.’’

The only down side was for the Eagles was a late second yellow card to Aaron Prichard, who will miss the grand final on suspension.

Magic also finished with 10 men after Jon Griffiths picked up a second yellow card midway through the second half.

In the meantime in the second semi-final, Hamilton Olympic take on Lambton Jaffas at Edden Oval in their 2nd Leg tomorrow. 1st Grade kick off 3pm. Olympic won the 1st Leg 2-1.

Under 22s Olympic vs Em. Jets 1pm kick off
1st Leg Olympic lost 1-6 at home

Under 19s Olympic vs Magic 11am kick off
1st Leg Olympic won 2-1 at home

source:theherald.com.au

Lambton Jaffas FC (2) vs. Hamilton Olympic FC (3)
Semi Final 2 Leg 2 (Hamilton lead 2-1 on aggregate)
Sun 30 August 2:30 PM
Arthur Edden Oval

The second of the two Semi Final second legs of the PS4 NPL will take place at Arthur Edden Oval on Sunday afternoon as Lambton Jaffas look to overturn a 2-1 deficit against Hamilton Olympic.

After finishing third Olympic hosted last weekend’s match against the second placed Jaffas, and in that match gained a slight advantage as a Jacob Bailey first half header sent them into the break ahead 1-0, then a Kane Goodchild header on the hour mark made it 2-0.

Peter McPherson salvaged a late but possibly crucial goal on the back of a brilliant one-two with John Majurovski to make the score 2-1.

Despite picking up a head wound in the match on Sunday, Hamilton attacker Pat Brown who scored a hat trick at the start of the month against Weston will be available for this weekend’s match.

The away goal for the Jaffas means that a 1-0 win on Sunday would see them progress, so if they grab an early goal it is well and truly game on.

This is a factor that Hamilton coach Mick Bolch is unmoved by, suggesting his side will be preparing to, and will turn up Sunday ready to play for a win.

‘We won’t be thinking about the lead and the away goal rule at all this week,’ he said.

‘We will go into the next leg as if it is 0-0 and play to win that match’.

A 2-1 win for the Jaffas would send the match into extra time and possibly penalty shootouts which both of these sides know a lot about, after playing two finals matches in 2013 against each other, both of which went to shootouts.

Bolch and David Tanchevski were in charge of Hamilton and Lambton that year respectively, and joked prior to the first leg about how they are sick of coming up against one another in finals.

Both keepers were involved in those two matches, however Danny Ireland was part of the winning side on both occasions, the Lambton Jaffas. Swancott who was at Olympic in that season will be hoping that if it comes to a shootout that his new club, the Jaffas reign supreme.

Both keepers however, and the ten players in front of them, will be desperate to ensure that it does not come to that stage, and that their team progresses to the Grand Final in the ninety-minutes of normal time.

It will be an entertaining affair between two of the heavyweights of 2015, and is a must-see game heading into the conclusion of the 2015 season.

Edgeworth Eagles FC (1) vs. Broadmeadow Magic FC (4)
Semi Final 1 Leg 2 (3-3 on aggregate)
Sat 29 August 2:30 PM
Jack McLaughlan Oval

The first of the two Northern NSW PlayStation® 4 National Premier Leagues (PS4 NPL) Semi Final second legs takes place at Jack McLaughlan Oval as the fourth ranked Broadmeadow host Premiers Edgeworth in the second of their two-leg tie.

Edgeworth enters the match with a narrow advantage. Whilst the sides are currently locked 3-3 on aggregate, the Eagles are slightly better off considering they have three away goals to their name.

That 3-3 aggregate score came out of a highly entertaining clash between these two sides last Saturday at Magic Park.

Edgeworth’s Bren Hammel put his side ahead from the penalty spot in the first half, but Kale Bradbury sent the sides into the break at one apiece. Two quick fire goals from Brenton Olzomer and Dylan Holz put the Eagles in the driver’s seat early in the second half, however they were cancelled out by a Peter Haynes penalty and Bradbury’s second of his brace.

There were several key players missing from that match, as Magic were without Chris Berlin, Scott Petit and Daniel Casciaroli, and Edgeworth were without Pat Wheeler.

Petit, Casciaroli and Wheeler will all return this weekend, however Chris Berlin will not return in 2015 due to a rib injury.

Magic’s midfield and defence will be on the alert for the Eagles quick transition play, an area where Coach Rob Virgili thought Edgeworth did well in the first leg.

‘They’ve got quality where they break really early and they punished us twice in the space of (two) minutes. We have to be aware of their quick break and be a little more organized in that area.’

‘There won’t be much to change,’ he added.

The 3-3 score, with Edgeworth having three away goals does not worry Virgili, who suggested that his side now only need a one goal victory after their courageous fight back.

‘It’s going to come down to whoever takes their chances. We aren’t worried about them and I’m sure they won’t be worried about us’.

The draw leaves Magic undefeated in their last four matches and Edgeworth in their last five. Both of these sides know how to win games, and more importantly how not to lose.

Both will be looking for a repeat performance of their attack last Saturday whilst attempting to improve defensively.

This will be another highly intriguing Semi Final leg, between two of the hottest sides in 2015, both more than worthy of playing off in the biggest game of the year; the Grand Final.

 Source: http://northernnswfootball.com.au/

I DON’T KNOW BUT I’VE BEEN TOLD.

OLYMPIC WARRIORS ARE MADE OF GOLD

WE PLAY THE GAME WITH SKILL AND SPEED

WE HELP EACH OVER WHEN IN NEED

WE ARE THE BOYS IN BLUE AND WHITE

OLYMPIC WARRIORS ARE DYNAMITE,

WE DON’T CARE WHAT (THE OPPOSITION) SAY.

OLYMPIC WARRIORS ARE HERE TO STAY

”OLYMPIC”  ”OLYMPIC”  ”OLYMPIC”

Hamilton Olympic Football Club is a semi-professional association football club based in Hamilton a suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales.

The club competes in the National Premier Leagues Northern NSW, the second tier of football in Australia.

The club was established by Greek immigrants in the New South Wales city of Newcastle in 1976. It is one of the most successful football clubs in Newcastle.

Club History
The Story So Far ……

1976- 2011

Football in Australia, received a major boost in this country with the post war economic boom that saw thousands of migrants from throughout Europe settle in the far away “Southern Land” called Australia.

Hundreds of Greeks chose Newcastle as their new home with BHP and various other industries offering these “New Australians” a chance to make a new life far from their home land. Of course Soccer is a great way to keep ties with your family and community, and that’s how Hamilton Olympic was first established.

During the 60’s and 70’s, the Newcastle Greek Community supported a very strong Football Club called “Pan Hellenic”. Due to a combination of reasons, this proud ethnic based club sadly folded.

This in fact was a catalyst for the creation of a new Soccer Club for the Newcastle Greek community to support, led by Jim Kapalos, the Nicholas brothers, Stavros Ioannou, Chris and Andrew Tagaroulias and yes, still heavily involved with the club at present, Con Gounis. This group of gentlemen were adamant that Newcastle had a Greek based Soccer Club present in this town, and went on to form a new Soccer club. In 1976 they rallied the troops and entered three grades into the Northern NSW Soccer Federation 4th Division competition and were to be known as “Newcastle Olympic Soccer Club”.

The newly formed club played their first competition game against South Wallsend in April 1976 at Walker Field, South Wallsend. Ironically, for the new club their home ground was Darling St Oval, before a move in 1977 the following year to Austral Park – Birmingham Gardens.

Newcastle Olympic began to climb through the divisions and then saw the signing of Australian Hall of Fame recipient and 1956 Australian Soccer team Olympian, Bruce Morrow, whom captain coached Newcastle Olympic. Bruce Morrow’s charges went on to win the club’s first title in 1978, crowned minor and major premiers in the NSW Soccer Federation 4th Division competition with their first Grand Final victory 1-0 over the more fancied Garden Suburb club. Names of that era include Karamaniolos, Chatziconstantinos. Nicolas, Chourtos, Caimakamis, Rendina, Gounis, Thodas, Bachus, Pappas and Papadimitrious just to name a few.

The Clubs success continued in 1980, when they were promoted to 2nd division after finishing as runners up in 3rd division in 1979 and then promoted to 2nd division in 1981. The club competed successfully in 2nd division for a couple of years before the NSW Soccer Federation re-structure of divisions and relegated the club back to 4th division in 1983.

Now came the difficult the years. Between 1983 and 1989, the club was forced to leave Austral Park as their home base when the rent for this venue was quadrupled. The Club found themselves a new home ground being Myer Park, Adamstown, which had little infrastructure, and the club had very few dedicated committee members. Again a band of dedicated people refused to see this proud club lie down, and rallied together to install new life into the club. Tribute must be made to a few of the faithful committee of the time such as Nick Thodas, Jim Papadimitriou, Con Gounis and also to the players who kept the club functioning at this low point in the club’s history, which included the Karamaniolos brothers, Chris, John, Mick and Neil, the Asvestas brothers Harry, Nick and Jim, Mark Simpson, Leo Magnisalis, Con Xenakis and many others. Those days saw the club travel to play matches in multi-cultural deprived areas such as Kearsley, Greta-Branxton, Muswellbrook, Cardiff Railway, Beresfield and Thornton where the action off the park was often just as interesting as it was on the park.

The watershed for the Club was no doubt the acquisition of Terry Robson as player coach from the start of the 1988 season. After just missing automatic promotion in 1988, Terry led the team to the minor premiership in 1989, which saw the club back in 3rd division in 1990, the first time in almost a decade. An astute coach, Terry brought in some inspiring signings to the club, Brett McDonald, Steve
Foteados, Rod Arthur and Bob Mountford, who with the existing squad, were ready to take on the challenge of 3rd division. An added bonus for the 1990 season was the recruitment of ex-KB United and Australian International Player, Joe Senkalski. Newcastle Olympic easily won the Minor & Major Premierships with a 4-1 Grand Final victory over arch rivals, Cooks Hill. The club was on the move with 2nd division beckoning in 1991. The recruitment of 2 youngsters, strikers Lincoln Latunin and goal keeper Craig Tselembis coupled with the conversion of striker Con Safouris to sweeper alongside skilful players like Zervas, Magnisalis, Karamaniolos, Primmer and Simpson saw the club win the 2nd division title by a record 13 points, as well as a dramatic Grand Final win in a penalty shootout against the Lambton Jaffas. Again, tribute must also be given to the hard working committee of that era with Manuel Tserepas as Club President and his band of dedicated committee members Con Gounis, Chris Christo, Jim Papadimitriou, Kerry James, Nick Thodas, Con Pappas, Nick Nicholas and others who kept the club on the path to its ultimate goal.

The Early Years in First Division

1992

1st Division Soccer for the blue and white was finally reached after 16 years in the lower divisions. Hamilton Olympic were the only team to have won 3 automatic promotion movements from 4th division to 1st division in three years. After drifting around in the lower divisions the Club was building momentum and recruited Merv Duff as their 1st Grade Coach. This looked to be an encouraging season with an influx of experienced players coming to the club such as the Dorman brothers, Steve and Scott, Mark Ryan, Glen Chapman mixed with young blood Costa Caimakamis, Harry James, Con Sakavaras and Con Safouris saw the clubs early years in the NBN State League competition as it has become known.

Phil Ridley was appointed as 1st grade coach in 1993 and was in charge until the 1995 season, a three year reign at the helm.

The club began winning its first titles in the State League Competition, with the Under 18’s in 1994 and second grade in 1995 which were promising signs for the future. By this time the club had moved back to Darling Street Oval as their home base, and finalising the ground development was the clubs priority due to the fact that in order to compete in the NBN State League 1st division competition, the clubs ground facilities had to fall in line with a certain criteria set out by the Federation. With the completion of a 400 seat grandstand in 1993, in 1995 the club installed 4 galvanised steel light poles and 20 new lights, The redevelopment of Darling Street Oval came at a cost to the club of over $100,000.00, much to the delight of the Newcastle City Council. Today sees Darling Street Oval facilities up there with the best in the North and is the envy of other clubs that play in the 1st division competition. At the end of the 1995 season the club parted company with their second, 1st division Coach Phil Ridley, and was on the scout for a new coach for the 1996 season. The Smith era was about to begin.

The Golden Years – The “ Smithy “ Era

1996 – 2005

After interviewing a number of applicants for the ‘Head’ coaching position at Olympic, it was obvious that Greg Smith was the man to lead the club to the upper echelon of the NBN State League competition. A highly successful coach with Belmont/Swansea and Adamstown, Greg had a distinguished playing career for nearly two decades. A resident of Hamilton, Greg agreed to terms with Hamilton Olympic and was appointed head coach, the start of an era, unrivalled within Northern NSW Soccer circles.

A coach whom gained loyalty and 100% commitment from his players, Greg nearly had instant success with the 1st Grade losing a marathon penalty shootout to Highfields Azzurri, 11-10, in the 1996 final. Success was not far away, when on a wet September Sunday, Olympic won the first of their four consecutive Premiership titles with a 2-1 victory over arch rivals Broadmeadow Magic in the 1998 1st division Grand Final. Greg always believed in encouraging youth players from within the club whom came through the ranks from our under 18’s team. Players such as Michael Allan, Aaron Thompson, Mathew Austin, Evis Heath and Trent Austin, all would play a major role in the future success of the club.

1999 was probably the clubs most comprehensive Premiership victory with a 4-0 thrashing of Adamstown Rosebuds, at Breakers Stadium, Birmingham Gardens. Captain Benn Lane alongside talented players such as Mat Austin, Adam Sanderson, Craig Wallwork, Peter McGuiness, Doug West, Corey Filipcevic and Craig Harris saw the side play outstanding football.

The Millennium year 2000, witnessed Hamilton Olympic win another Premiership against arch rivals Edgeworth Eagles. Greg Smith prepared his charges to perfection for the 3-0 Grand Final Victory courtesy of goals from Wallwork, Filipcevic and McAteer.

The Premiership Victory in 2001 against Highfields Azzuri, a comfortable 2-0 win saw Hamilton Olympic equal the record held by Weston, by winning 4 consecutive premierships, only the second time in the Federation’s 100 history has this feat been achieved.

During the ten Golden Years “Smithy” was head coach, the club also won numerous 2nd grade and Youth Grade Titles, Club Championships and pre season competitions. Greg had the ability to bring out the best in his players by sharing his vast knowledge of the game with his players and coaching staff, and has no doubt taken the profile of the club to be known as one of the “Heavy Weights of the NBN State League competitions.”

The Last Five Years

2006 – 2011

Since our 30th Anniversary Ball held in 2006, the club has been successful in gaining two further Premiership Titles, one in 2007 and the other one in 2009. Both were gained with the 1st Grade team coming from fourth spot to be victorious in the Grand Final. In 2007, under Head Coach and club stalwart, Alex Tagaroulias, a Trent Austin goal saw the team defeat Edgeworth Eagles by One goal to Nil to take out the 2007 title. Featuring in that team was former Socceroo Matthew Bingley, as well as Captain Mathew Austin, his brother Trent Austin, Corey Filipcevic, Aaron Thompson and Doug West who had all gained numerous Premierships in the “Smithy Era”. That season the club also took out the Club Championship.

2009 saw the club take out the Premiership decider with a Two Goals to One Victory over Valentine Phoenix. Under Head Coach Bobby Naumov, a double to Murray Fletcher saw Olympic keep up its perfect record of never losing in a Premiership decider, winning all six that the club have featured in, which also allowed First Grade Captain Mathew Austin to keep up his perfect record of playing in five winning Grand Finals.

The Future – Passion Holds the Key

As we enter the second half of the 2011 season, Head Coach Michael Bolch and assistant Phil Koina have their charges primed for a genuine attempt to gain our seventh title this year.

Our Juniors are amongst the strongest in the North, while our new team under our umbrella playing in the Inter District Competition are also having a successful season

Our Committee, with a mix of youth providing vitality and energy, plus the experienced stalwarts of wisdom and guidance, has never looked stronger.

Our Proud Club has been successful due to the hard working Committee, Coaching Staff and players who pull on the “ Blue and White “ . Critical also is the tremendous support we have from the loyal sponsors who we have listed in this Souvenir Booklet.

There is nothing more powerful in sport than a team of volunteers. Volunteers carry out their tasks with a burning desire for success and with an invaluable passion for their cause. The future of our great club looks excitedly strong, and it is up to each and every one of us to maintain this passion, as passion for our club holds the key to the future dominance of our cause.

“ 35 Years On and Forever We’ll Be Strong “

Club Honours

NORTHERN NSW FIRST DIVSION (NPL & STATE LEAGUE)

CLUB CHAMPIONS: 6 – (1998, 2000, 2001, 2007, 2012, 2014)
FIRST GRADE

Major Premiers: 6 – (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2007, 2009)

Minor Premiers: 1 – (2012)

Presidents Cup: 2 – (2001, 2004)

Arctic Cup: 1 – (1998)

Charity Shield 1 – (2009)
SECOND GRADE – UNDER 22/23

Major Premiers: 6 – (1994, 1998, 2003, 2004, 2012, 2014)

Minor Premiers: 6 – (1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2014)
YOUTH GRADE – UNDER 18/19

Major Premiers: 4 – (2002, 2005, 2006, 2009)

Minor Premiers: 5 – (1994, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2009)
COLTS GRADE – UNDER 17

Major Premiers: 2 – (2012, 2014)

Minor Premiers: 2 – (2011, 2014)
NPL UNDER 14

Major Premiers:

Minor Premiers: 1 – (2014)

BEFORE Hamilton had a chance to celebrate their first victory over Lambton Jaffas, the 2014 major premiers were quick to remind their rivals the job was far from done on Sunday.

Olympic scored twice from set pieces at Darling Street Oval to take a 2-1 lead into the second leg of the Northern NSW National Premier League semi-finals.

Goals from Jacob Bailey and Kane Goodchild helped break a frustrating run for Hamilton, who lost their previous two finals to Lambton, in 2013, in penalty shootouts.

Several draws have helped build a healthy rivalry between the clubs since Lambton gained promotion three seasons ago, and Jaffas coach David Tanchevski was quick to remind Hamilton counterpart Michael Bolch his side were not finished yet.

“Are you sure you’re going to sing the song, mate?” Tanchevski quipped to Bolch after the game.

“It’s only half-time.”

But Hamilton did sing and deserved to celebrate after dominating at set pieces and restricting the Jaffas to only a handful of chances.

The Jaffas started brightly but it was Hamilton who went ahead when Bailey nodded in a Simon Mooney free kick in the 35th minute.

Goodchild extended the lead in the 60th minute when he climbed high to head in a Pat Brown corner.

Peter McPherson finished a one-two passing move with John Majurovski in the 75th minute to give the Jaffas a vital away goal but Olympic held firm to maintain their advantage.

Bolch was pleased to break their hoodoo against the Jaffas and praised his side’s resilience late in the match.

“The first 20 minutes they were the better side, until we got a foot in the game, but I thought we were doing really well the second part of the half,” Bolch said.

“The last 20 minutes we scrambled well. They put us under a lot of pressure.

“But I think if we conceded a second it would have been an injustice. We didn’t, and I’ll take a one-goal lead any day of the week.”

Tanchevski was relieved to grab the away goal in the second half and believed his side deserved to take more from the game.

“That goal makes all the difference,” Tanchevski said.

“Essentially it’s half-time and we only have to get a 1-0 win next week to get through.

“Most of the game we had possession. We won the midfield battle but we just didn’t do a lot with it in the final third.

“We had two really good chances with Maj at far-post headers, which are normally his bread and butter. Remo went close with the header at the end.

“I thought we had the majority of the game and we’re fairly comfortable we can get something out of the game next week and get through. We didn’t deserve to lose and we’ll take some confidence into next week.”

Jaffas defender Kevin Davison (groin strain) was substituted at half-time and Hamilton forward Pat Brown (head wound) were the only casualties out of the game. The teams will play the return leg at Edden Oval on Sunday.

In the other semi-final, Broadmeadow came back from a 3-1 deficit to draw 3-3 with minor premiers Edgeworth at Magic Park on Saturday.

Magic, who snuck into fourth place, were looking down the barrel when Bren Hammel scored a brilliant individual goal for the Eagles on 59 minutes. Hammel flicked the ball over a defender before hitting a left-foot volley to make it 3-1.

Magic skipper Peter Haynes converted from the penalty spot in the 71st minute after Edgeworth keeper Jim Fogarty fouled Kale Bradbery on the edge of the area.

Bradbery then equalised in the 86th minute when his strike beat Fogarty at the near post.

Magic co-coach Bobby Naumov praised the fighting spirit of his side.

“You have to give the boys credit,” Naumov said.

“To be 3-1 down against Edgeworth and come back to 3-3, and we could have snatched it at the end.

“The last month the boys have been really strong.

“We have had a lot of setbacks with injuries. Even today we had Scott Pettit (knee), Jayden Barber has been crook all week and only played off the bench, Chris Berlin has injured ribs . . . we had to shuffle things around until the last minute.”

Hammel opened the scoring for the Eagles with a penalty after Magic keeper Nathan Archbold brought down Brenton Olzomer. Bradbery equalised with a tap-in in the 36th minute after Fogarty spilled Matt Hoole’s shot. Olzomer then struck in the 57th minute to put the Eagles up 2-1.

Despite letting the lead slip, Edgeworth coach Damian Zane was pleased to get a draw after three of his players battled illness in the match.

“It’s tough to take when you lead 3-1, but we were far from our best and got the draw, so I’m not complaining,” Zane said.

The second leg will be held at Jack McLaughlan Oval on Saturday.

source: theherald.com.au