At the Athens Women’s Football Summit, Co-President of South Melbourne FC Bill Papastergiadis met with Matildas head coach Joe Montemurro and head coach of the Slovenian Women’s team Saša Kolman.
“I caught up with both Joe and Sasa by chance. We live in a small world,” Papastergiadis told Neos Kosmos.
“Football unites us all and often brings out the best in people. We are fortunate to be close to such great coaching talent who care deeply for their players and programs.”
Montemurro, with titles at Arsenal, Juventus, and Olympique Lyonnais, spoke on the importance of developing players from young.
“We need to nurture and drive talent from a young age,” he told Papastergiadis.
“Our focus should always be in providing opportunities to young aspiring footballers. A fully integrated program is essential for our footballers.”
He also spoke about his appointment as head coach of Australia’s women’s team.
“I loved my time at Olympique Lyonnaise but the completions coming up for the Matildas are irresistible to not want to challenge yourself,” he said.
“The Matildas have before them the Asian Cup, the World Cup and the Olympics. Women’s football has never been brighter in Australia.”
Kolman, a former head men’s coach at South Melbourne Hellas, has elevated the Slovenian senior women’s national team to Division 1 in Europe.
Papastergiadis said that Kolman is also a close friend with South’s Co-President Andre Mesourouni.
Recently in Perth he coached his Slovenian team to a one all draw with the Matildas.
“I loved my time in Australia and at South,” he said.
“I’m so excited by Souths participation in the Oceania Professional League. The club deserves to play at the top tier in Australia.
“The club will always be close to me heart as I have so many close friends there.”
