George Tsamouras Football Journey

Former Jets representative Stacey Day made a match-winning cameo off the bench as Newcastle Olympic downed Broadmeadow in extra time and booked a spot in their first Northern NSW Women’s Premier League grand final.

Day came on late in the second half of the major semi and twice cleared the ball off the goal line in regulation time before converting a penalty in the 108^th minute to break the deadlock and deliver Olympic a 2-1 victory at Speers Point on Sunday.

It follows Olympic wrapping up a breakthrough minor premiership last weekend, when Day made an unexpected return from a knee injury having joined the club earlier this year from 2019 champions New Lambton.

“It’s been disappointing for Stacey after picking up an injury in her second game for us and we didn’t really think she would be part of the season again,” Olympic coach Harmonie Attwill said.

“She’s been a surprise in for us but you can’t really say no to a player of that calibre.”

Atwill said starting left back Imogen Tusek had performed strongly before Day replaced her.

Brooke Summers opened the scoring for Olympic in the 14^th minute before Magic struck back courtesy of Lucy Jerram around the half-hour mark.

Scores remained level at 1-all until full-time. This was followed by a 30-minute period of extra time.

Olympic progress to the 2020 decider at Adamstown Oval on October 18.

Broadmeadow now meet Warners Bay in this weekend’s preliminary final after the Panthers defeated Merewether 6-2 in the minor semi, which was also played at Speers Point on Sunday.

Warners Bay pair Jen Hoy and Annika D’Amico both netted hat-tricks. Tamara Nash and Ellie Withers replied for United. It was 4-0 at half-time.

Source: https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/

NPL SENIORS:
On Saturday Newcastle Olympic defeated Adamstown Rosebud in the second last match of the season 2-0 to claim 4^th spot on the ladder. A win away to Valentine next week ensures 3^rd or 4^th spot on the ladder and a semi-final birth!

1st Grade Olympic won 2-0
Goals : Reece Papas, Rhys Cooper

Reserve Grade Adamstown won 0-3

On Sunday 4^th October:
U18s Newcastle Olympic – Lambton Jaffas 2-2

HERALD WPL: A Great Day for our Herald Women’s Premier League teams on Sunday. Newcastle Olympic 1st Grade and Reserve Grade both qualified for the Grand Final!!

Semi Final Results
1st Grade – Major Semi Final
Olympic 2-1 Broadmeadow Magic FC (AET)
Goals: Brooke Summers, Stacey Day (pen)

Reserve Grade – Major Semi Final
Olympic 2-1 Adamstown

Under 17s – Major Semi Final
Olympic 1-4 Merewether United FC WPL

Under 14s – Minor Semi Final
Olympic 2-1 Adamstown

Our Under 17s and Under 14s play next week in the Preliminary Final

NPL YOUTH:
On Sunday Newcastle Olympic NPL Youth teams continued their domination in all four age groups of the competition by recording victories over Valentine in Round 17 of the competition. Our U14s scored their 100^th goal of the season and secured mathematically their spot in the semi-finals 5 games before the end of the season!

U16s won 4-0
U15s won 12-0
U14s won 3-1
U13s won 6-1

ZONE LEAGUE:
There were no matches scheduled for this weekend.

Over 35s:
There were no matches scheduled for this weekend.

SAP/NET:
There were no matches scheduled for this weekend.

Community Juniors:
There were no matches scheduled for this weekend.

source: Tom Tsamouras

NPL SENIORS:
On Saturday 3^rd October Newcastle Olympic contest Round 13 with Adamstown at Darling St Oval. Newcastle Olympic FC invites all ‘Old Boys’ from various eras to Darling St Oval on Saturday.

Wear anything blue and tell the guys on the gate and you’ll gain free entry! Extra beer voucher if you wear an old Olympic playing Jersey. The invite is also open to anyone involved in our WPL teams.

First Grade kick off at 5.00PM
Reserve Grade kick off at 2:45PM

On Sunday 4^th October:
U18s kick off at 5:00PM vs Lambton Jaffas at Darling St Oval

HERALD WPL:
WPL Semi-Finals are being held on Sunday October 4^th at LMRFF at Speers Point and Newcastle Olympic is the only club to be represented by a team in all four age groups!

First Grade vs Broadmeadow Magic kick off at 3:00PM
Reserve Grade vs Adamstown Rosebud kick off at 1:00PM
U17s vs Merewether kick off at 11:00AM
U14s vs Adamstown kick off at 9:00AM

NPL YOUTH:
On Sunday 4^th October Newcastle Olympic NPL Youth teams welcome Valentine in Round 17 of the competition to Darling St Oval.

U16s kick off at 3:00PM
U15s kick off at 1:00PM
U14s kick off at 11:00AM
U13s kick off at   9:00AM

ZONE LEAGUE:
There are no matches scheduled for this weekend.

Over 35s:
There are no matches scheduled for this weekend.

SAP/NET:
There are no matches scheduled for this weekend.

Community Juniors:
There are no matches scheduled for this weekend.

source: Tom Tsamouras

Newcastle Olympic v Adamstown Rosebud

Darling Street Oval – Saturday 5pm

Newcastle Olympic will play cross-town rivals Adamstown Rosebud at Darling Street Oval on Saturday.

After suffering a 3-1 loss to Edgeworth in round 11, Olympic had the bye last round and will feel refreshed heading into a must-win game.

Newcastle are fifth and a win would almost certainly cement their finals place. The side have 17 points with Charlestown Azzurri and Weston not far behind.

Adamstown has endured a difficult season having not registered a win since the opening round but have climbed above Lake Macquarie in the battle to avoid a last-placed finish.

The side showed tremendous fighting spirit to come from behind twice to earn a draw against Valentine last round, which included a 90th minute equaliser.

A Dino Fajkovic special was the sole difference between the two sides the last time they met, with Olympic winning 1-0.

Interim coach Alex Tagaroulias said his side would not take the Rosebuds lightly.

“We can’t underestimate Adamstown. I remember the last game, it was a battle and I know what they’re capable of as well,” Tagaroulias said.

“I’m hoping to see [my team] apply themselves as they have done the whole season. If they do that, we’re a good chance of getting the result we need.

“It’s now become all about the result, so we just have to give it our best effort. We’re getting some bodies back, so we’ve got some selection headaches coming up.”

Charlestown Azzurri v Broadmeadow Magic

Lisle Carr Oval – Sunday 2.30pm

Charlestown Azzurri will host Broadmeadow in a highly-anticipated Match of the Round between two in-form teams.

Charlestown sits just outside the top five in sixth and will view this game as a golden chance to earn a spot in the finals with two games to play.

It will be no easy task to beat Broadmeadow who have won their last three games and are well rested after the bye last round.

Magic have locked up second spot and are still alive in the premiership hunt, although only a victory will suffice to put them within two points of Edgeworth heading into the final round.

Broadmeadow’s last outing was a 3-2 win over Lake Macquarie while Azzurri beat Weston 1-0.

Magic also defeated Charlestown earlier in the year with a 3-1 victory although Broadmeadow coach Anthony Richards is wary of a different prospect this time around.

“They are the form side at the moment. They’ve got some terrific young players around some well-hardened senior players so it’s working well for them,” Richards said.

“There is still light at the end of the tunnel for us [in terms of winning the premiership]. We’ll have a go and we can’t die wondering so we’ll be doing our best to get three points this weekend.

“The bye come at a perfect time for us, we had some boys with injuries and we’ll get them back now which is great.”

Weston Workers v Lake Macquarie City

Rockwell Automation Park – Saturday 5.30pm

Weston will aim to keep their season alive when they take on Lake Macquarie at Rockwell Automation Park on Saturday.

The Bears have a slim chance of making the finals with Weston on 15 points, two points away from the five but this will be Weston’s last game of the regular season.

Only a win would keep Weston alive after the Bears were beaten 1-0 by Charlestown Azzurri last start in a demoralising result.

Lake Macquarie will look to finish the year on a high after a tough campaign with only one win to their name.

The Roosters were beaten 3-0 by Lambton last start and will be out to snap a seven-game losing streak.

Weston downed the Roosters 3-1 earlier in the season and will be aiming for a similar result on Saturday night.

Valentine FC v Maitland FC

CB Complex – Sunday 2.30pm

Valentine will take on Maitland at CB Complex with the Magpies gunning for another finals appearance.

Maitland defeated top of the table Edgeworth 2-1 last start with an incredible comeback in the dying stages to rise to third.

A win over Valentine for the Magpies would move them onto 22 points and significantly boost their chances of finishing in the top five, although Maitland have the bye next round.

Valentine still remain a mathematical chance to play finals football but will need to win their remaining games and hope teams above them falter.

The Phoenix were denied a win at the death by Adamstown last round leaving Adamstown Oval with a draw.

With both teams requiring the three points, expect an intense affair with plenty of action.

Edgeworth Eagles and Lambton

Source: https://northernnswfootball.com.au/

Newcastle Olympic can further cement its dominance over the Herald Women’s Premier League competition with a win over Broadmeadow Magic on Sunday which would see them move directly through to the grand final in a fortnight’s time at Adamstown Oval.

“As long as the girls can stay true to what we’ve worked on all year, that discipline, that patience, supporting each other and making sure everyone is just doing their job, I know and the girls know that we are way fitter than any other team,” Olympic coach Harmonie Attwill said.

“Anything can happen in final’s football. We’ve got to stay confident in our ability for that full 90 minutes.”

Olympic have been the competition’s trailblazers in season 2020, with the side officially laying hands on the premiership last weekend.

“After the weekend, it was a massive celebration for the girls and the club. The minor premiership wasn’t our focus but we were consistent throughout the year,” Attwill said.

“For the girls I really encouraged them to enjoy the achievement. They’ve been so consistent and have a never give up attitude.”

Stacey Day returned to the park on Sunday after suffering a knee injury earlier in the year, with a final decision on her inclusion in the side for the major semi-final to be made later in the week.

“At this point she’s had two training sessions and probably 20 minutes worth of game time, so I think it’s probably too early to decide. What’s best for her will be the decision we make,” Attwill said.

According to Attwill, her side will need to be clinical across the park if they are to knock over Magic and move directly through to the decider. The loser of Sunday’s game will play the winner of the minor semi-final.

“You can’t go past our defensive backline, Sophie O’brien, Danielle Nicol… in the midfield we’ve got Laura Hall, Keely Gawthrop and then up high we’ve got Jemma House,” she said.

“In terms of the quality across the park they’re all leaders by example and they love the challenge.”

Both the minor and major semi-finals will kick off at the same time of 3pm, with the Olympic-Magic clash to be played on the grass surface outside the Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility on Field 3. Merewether will play Warners Bay on the synthetic No.1 pitch.

“Everyone’s excited about the weekend. I think everyone worries a little bit about stuff that’s out of your control,” Magic coach Jake Curley said.

“Our strategy doesn’t really change depending on who we play, we try and play the same way every time and most of the time it works for us.

“I think if you change your methodology then it creates too much confusion.”

Curley identified Kalista Hunter, Gemma Harrison and Kobie Ferguson as the women to watch against Olympic, with the Magic mentor full of praise for 21-year-old Ferguson.

“I think if those three play well it will go a long way to us winning. With Kobie I’ve coached some really good number 6s and she is by far my favourite number 6,” he said.

Curley said maintaining possession, keeping good defensive shape and people making the right decisions would decide whether his side moved directly through to the grand final.

WPL Semi-Finals are being held on Sunday October 4^th at LMRFF at Speers Point and Newcastle Olympic is the only club to be represented by a team in all four age groups!

First Grade:

Newcastle Olympic vs Broadmeadow Magic kick off at 3:00PM

Reserve Grade:

Newcastle Olympic vs Adamstown Rosebud kick off at 1:00PM

U17s:

Newcastle Olympic vs Merewether kick off at 11:00AM

U14s:

Newcastle Olympic vs Adamstown Rosebud kick off at 9:00AM

Good luck to all our WPL teams.

Source: https://northernnswfootball.com.au/

HERALD WPL:
Newcastle Olympic took on New Lambton at Darling St Oval on the final round of the season and won in all four age groups. First and Reserve Grade took out the minor Premierships with u17s finishing equal first on points but missing out on goal difference!. U14s claimed 3^rd spot on their points table enabling all four teams to march into the finals. Newcastle Olympic is the only club with four representations in the finals and needless to say, have also collected the Herald WPL Club Champions title. Congratulations to everyone and good luck in the finals.

Newcastle Olympic vs New Lambton
1st Grade Olympic won 8-0
Goals: Jemma House 4, Georgia Amess 2, Keely Gawlthrope, Brooke Summers.

Reserve Grade Olympic won 2-0
Under 17s Olympic won 3-0
Under 14s Olympic won 3-1

NPL SENIORS:
NPL First and Reserve Grades were on a bye and did not play this weekend. U18s played away to Broadmeadow Magic and came away with a 1-1 draw.

NPL YOUTH:
Round 16 of the 2020 NNSW NPL season was played at Darling St Oval between Newcastle Olympic and Lake Macquarie. All four Olympic teams won their matches in high scoring games. The u14s team which is currently 1^st place on their respective points table, 14 wins in 14 matches (2 further scheduled games were not played due to COVID-19), reached 99 goals scored for the season! This is the highest number of goals scored by any NPL team in NNSW of any age group! They also hold the record of the lowest conceded, only 3 goals so far! Congratulations to all the players and coaching staff and good luck in the remaining 6 games of the season.

Newcastle Olympic vs Lake Macquarie
Under 16s Olympic won 9-0
Under 15s Olympic won 8-1
Under 14s Olympic won 11-0
Under 13s Olympic won 14-1

ZONE LEAGUE:
Newcastle Olympic zone teams took on Wallsend FC in Round 13 of the competition at Islington Park and had two draws.  All at the club wish Aaron Zissis a speedy recovery after suffering a serious leg injury during the First Grade fixture.

Olympic vs Wallsend
1st Grade match abandoned in 2nd half 1-1
Reserve Grade drew 3-3

Over 35s:
Newcastle Olympic O35s were away to Kahibah on Friday night and came away with a 0-0 draw.

SAP/NET:                                                                                                                 U9s, U10s, and U11s SAP teams played at LMRFF against Broadmeadow Magic and Mid Coast this weekend and once again put in great performances.

U12s NET took on Charlestown Azzuri at Islington Oval and came away with a convincing 7-0 win!

Community Juniors:
Newcastle Community juniors played Round 13 of the season on Saturday at Darling St and Kurraka Ovals against Merewether, Kotara South, Maryland Fletcher and Merewether. All our young Olympians played well and advanced another step in the football journey.

source: Tom Tsamouras

Newcastle Olympic has today reinforced its position as the premier football club in Northern NSW. Adding to the club’s long history of success in men’s football, the club is continuing that success in the women’s game through being crowned:

Herald WPL Premiers – First Grade

Herald WPL Premiers – Reserve Grade

Herald WPL Club Champions

Together with strong performances by the club’s U17s and U14s girls teams, Newcastle Olympic is the only WPL club which will be involved in the finals series in all four grades.

“It feels quite rewarding to bring success to the club after all the support we have received. To be able to give back to Olympic is very important for us as well.” said WPL Head Coach Harmonie Atwill.

“The club’s been amazing and we’re so glad we could secure The Herald WPL Premiership for Olympic. It’s a fantastic feeling to be wearing the blue & white.” added 1st Grade Captain Sophie O’Brien

“From the day we committed to entering the WPL, our focus has been on building ‘One Club’ – women, men, girls and boys. From first grade through to the U6s. While we are obviously thrilled at winning these premierships, what is even more important is that we have integrated everyone into the one premier club.” said Club President George Sofianos.

This first WPL Club Championship for Newcastle Olympic is a continuation of the history of the club in winning more NPL Club Championships than any other club. With the NPL season heading into its final rounds, Olympic are currently ahead in the NPL Club Championship and hope to secure that title as well.

“The really exciting thing is that we have achieved so much in our first year in womens football. There is much more improvement to come in 2021 and beyond.” said Mr Sofianos.

Source: Tom Tsamouras

Round 16 of the 2020 NNSW NPL Youth season was played today at Darling St Oval between Newcastle Olympic and Lake Macquarie. All four Olympic teams won their matches in high scoring games.

The u14s team which is currently  in 1^st place on their respective points table, 14 wins in 14 matches (2 further scheduled games were not played due to COVID-19), reached 99 goals scored for the season!

This is the highest number of goals scored by any NPL team in NNSW of any age group! They also hold the record of the lowest conceded, only 3 goals so far!

Congratulations to all the players and coaching staff and good luck in the remaining 6 games of the season.

Newcastle Olympic vs Lake Macquarie

U16s won 9-0

U15s won 8-1

U14s won 11-0

U13s won 14-1

source: Tom Tsamouras

HERALD WPL:
On Sunday Newcastle Olympic take on New Lambton at Darling St Oval. Reserve Grade have already been crowned Premiers and with either a win or draw First Grade will do the same. U17s are on equal 1^st spot on the points table and u14s will finish the season in 3^rd spot regardless of the result on Sunday. Congratulations and a great achievement by the players and coaching staff.

First Grade kick off at 3:00PM
Reserve Grade kick off at 12:50PM
U17s kick off at 10:50AM
U14s kick off at 9:00AM

NPL SENIORS:
NPL First and Reserve Grades are on a bye and do not play this weekend. U18s play away to Broadmeadow Magic on Sunday 27^th September.

U18s Broadmeadow Magic vs Newcastle Olympic kick off at 5:00PM at Magic Park

NPL YOUTH:
On Saturday Newcastle Olympic NPL Youth teams host Lake Macquarie at Darling St Oval in Round 16 of the competition. U15s are running 2^nd on their points table and all other three age groups are 1^st!

U16s kick off at 4:00PM
U15s kick off at 2:00PM
U14s kick off at 12:00AM
U13s kick off at 10:00AM

ZONE LEAGUE:
Newcastle Olympic zone teams take on Wallsend FC in Round 13 on Saturday 26^th September at Islington Park .

First Grade kick off at 3:00PM                                                                              Reserve Grade kick off at 1:00PM

Over 35s:
Newcastle Olympic O35s are away to Kahibah this Friday night. They kick off at 8:00PM on Kahibah No2.

SAP/NET:

U9s Blue kick off at 10:30AM at LMRFF vs Broadmeadow Magic, on Saturday 26^th September

U9s White kick off at 10:30AM at LMRFF vs Broadmeadow Magic, on Saturday 26^th September.

U10s White kick off at 1:30PM at LMRFF vs Broadmeadow Magic, on Saturday 26^th September

U10s Blue kick off at 1:30PM at LMRFF vs Broadmeadow Magic, on Saturday 26^th September

U11s White kick off at 3:15PM at LMRFF vs Broadmeadow Magic, on Saturday 26^th September

U11s Blue kick off at 1:45PM at LMRFF vs Mid Coast, on Saturday 26^th September

U12s NET kick off at 9:00AM at Islington Park vs Charlestown Azzuri on Saturday 26^th Sept..

Community Juniors:
Newcastle Community juniors play Round 13 of the season on Saturday 26^th September.

U6s/01 kick off at 8:30AM at Darling St Oval against Merewether                  U6s/02 kick off at 8:30AM at Darling St Oval against Kotara South
U6s/03 kick off at 8:30AM at Darling St Oval against Kotara South
U7s/01 kick off at 8:30AM at Darling St Oval against Kotara South
U7s/02 kick off at 9:30AM at Kurraka Oval against Maryland Fletcher
U8s/01 kick off at 9:30AM at Darling St Oval against Kotara South
U8s/02 kick off at 10:30AM at Darling St Oval against Kotara South
U8s/03 kick off at 8.30AM at Darling St Oval against Merewether

source: Tom Tsamouras

Strikers’ feats always attract plenty of praise but coach Harmonie Attwill reserved special mention for her back line after Newcastle Olympic put one hand on the Herald Women’s Premier League minor premiership on Sunday.

While Jemma House bagged her eighth hat-trick of the season to set up Olympic’s important 4-0 win over Broadmeadow, Attwill was equally pleased with a strong defensive effort.

“We wanted to play a really attacking style against Magic and played three in the back, which was a bit different for us,” Attwill said.

“I was really impressed with Danielle Nicol at right-back. Her job was to keep [Magic’s] Lucy [Jerram] out of the game and she did a great job. And you can’t go past [centre-back] Sophie O’Brien. She’s not the fastest player on the field but she’s smart enough to put herself in the right position and no one really got past her. Soph’s positioning is perfect and they didn’t score.”

With one round remaining before finals, Olympic lead on 31 points with the league’s best attacking and defensive record. They are three points clear of second-placed Magic with a far superior goal difference and are unlikely to be headed for the minor premiership.

They have already secured the reserve-grade minor title. Olympic’s 17s are second on goal difference but on the same points as leaders Merewether and their 14s will finish third.

Olympic host New Lambton at Darling Street Oval on Sunday.

Source: https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/