The Chairman of West Adelaide Hellas has flagged the official completion of its new home ground 15 years in the making, Kilburn Sportsplex, as the start of the next era for the club as it looks to get back to its previous heights.
John Tsianos, Chairman and President of the club, has expressed immense excitement over their finally developed new stadium, believing it stands as a symbol for the team’s progression moving forward.
Tsianos points to the drive in the club to re-establish its reputation, as the team has a proud history that dates as far back as the 1940s when a group of Greek migrants officially founded it under the name of Olympic.
West Adelaide Hellas, which gained its current name in 1962, was one of the founding teams of the National Soccer League (NSL) and were notably the second ever champions in 1978 (the first to come from South Australia).
While Hellas has had great successes on the field, Tsianos expressed the significance of the club also came from it establishing a sense of community for Greek Australians.
“You look at videos from back in the day, the crowds, the sense of community…it was fantastic,” the Chairman told Neos Kosmos.
Historically, West Adelaide has been a nomadic club with no home ground of its own, playing out of Hindmarsh (now Coopers) Stadium back during the NSL, which is what inspired the project for their new stadium.
The initial planning for a home ground began in 2009, though the project had encountered issues which saw it remain dormant for numerous years.
Tsianos explained that 18 months ago, when he was elected as the new President and Chairman, the club secured some funding to get Kilburn Sportsplex game ready and that their main focus since then has been to accomplish that goal.
“July 13 was our first ever game at Kilburn which was so exciting. We had a terrific crowd and it was a day where we had that sense of community back which is what we want to be about,” he said.
“The stadium can accommodate over 3,000 people. It is built with the potential to have a presence on the national stage so that is an aspiration of ours in the future, if such an opportunity arises.”
Tsianos stressed that the completion of Kilburn represents the “start of a new era” as the club now turns its attention to the football pitch, namely focusing on player development.
“Success for the club is producing the next Socceroo or Matilda,” said Tsianos, who also played for Hellas as a junior and player.
The President, who is also on the board of The Hellenic Initiative and St George College, stated that the club will invest its resources to create a professional environment for young players.
Among the developments are the introduction next year of a team comprised of 25-30 of the best 13-17 year olds at the club (which will train together multiple times a week), bringing in qualified technical directors, strength and conditioning coaches, dietitians, and nutritionists.
“The idea is that when players take that leap from West Adelaide to the A-League or overseas, they already have been exposed to the more professional practices,” Tsianos said.
“Another big part of what we are doing is looking at strategic partnerships interstate with A-League sides. We want players to see a genuine pathway for their development.”
The club has an active junior system with boys and girls, a successful women’s side (currently first in the WNPL SA) and a men’s side (currently in the second division), which the club is determined to get back into the top flight.
“Getting back into the NPL is a key driver of bringing good young talent back to the club because everyone wants to play at the highest possible level,” he said.
West Adelaide will hold its official launch of Kilburn Sportsplex on 7 August when they take on Adelaide United, whom John Tsianos had previously worked for.
“We have got the Premier attending, key sponsors, other members of government, the Sports Minister…we are expecting a good turnout for that day,” Tsianos said.
