What has happened to the production line of Greek players from Australia? Names such as Jim Patikas, Chris Kalantzis, Lou Christodoulou, Con Boutsianis, Bill Damianos, John Anastasiadis, John Samaras, Charlie Yankos… The names go on and on over the 80s and 90s.

The Socceroos team seemed to always have an Australian born Greek in it but the names have dropped off. In 2010, the national team used 46 different players and not one of them was from a Greek background. In fact you have to go back to 2007 for the last Greek names to appear in the green and gold – Michael Valkanis and Stan Lazarides. But it’s not just the national team.

A look through last year’s A-League squads shows only Michael Theoklitos, Lucas Pantelis, Steve Pantelidis, Peter Zois, Panni Nikas and youngsters Dimi Petratos and Terry Antonis in our national league. So what happened?

Our grandparents and parents arrived here in the late 40s, the 50s and the 60s, set up football clubs and raised their sons as they had been raised, playing football anywhere and everywhere, in the street and in the park. I remember playing until it got dark every night. We didn’t stop playing until our mothers came to call us in.

We all had the same dream, to play for our local club and to represent our community. It was national pride on a local level. Emulate our heroes playing in the team our fathers and uncles supported. It was not about money at that age; it was about playing the game we loved and hoping to represent the club we loved. So twenty-something years after our parents began to arrive, through the 70s, 80s and 90s, we had these marvellous young Greeks coming through to represent us in the national team. So where are the great players?

Today’s junior development has never been busier and more competitive. We have the FFA Dutch development system program with a Dutch technical director of football advising small sided games in the formative years of development through primary school. The FFV has the NTC full time programs, formally known as the VIS. Private operators have clinics running every school holidays. Juniors are jetting off to Europe on tours and trials all year around. There are football academies everywhere.

Some carry famous football clubs such as River Plate and AC Milan, some are run by former professional footballers whilst others are attached to Australian football clubs who run elite programs for serious young footballers who are attempting to make it professionally. Private sessions are available; one-on-one sessions with former professionals, small group sessions, the choice is endless for development coaching.

It has been 10 years since we have produced a top class player. Why has this been the case? There are several theories that might explain this situation. We don’t play in the park anymore where skills cultivated by constant practice and repetition in highly competitive park games.

Diego Maradona famously stated after his miracle goal against England in 1986 it would have been a greater accomplishment to perform this goal back home in the streets against his childhood friends as they knew his game and they were all great street football players. There may be a generation gap with many Greeks marrying later.

I am hoping this may be the case and there is an influx of Greek young players coming through the system. Our children are taking the educational route and becoming professionals. Good players leave very early and we don’t get to enjoy them like we did before as the case of Apostolos Giannou. There are many theories, no one knows the exact answer but we are all hoping for another ‘ Boutsi’ or ‘Johnny A’ soon to grace the park to entertain us and fill us with pride.

Peter Kokotis has been a licensed agent since 2007 running player management company FX International Sports Management bringing A League stars such as Cassio (Adelaide United) Daniel (Wellington Phoenix) & Marquee signing Edmundo Zura(Newcastle Jets) to the A League. Peter has placed & managed players in Europe, Asia and South America and works as passionately with the grass roots football in Victoria at VPL level assisting teams in recruiting and football management. Peter is passionate about helping players fulfil their dreams & always finds time to listen to their stories.