Photo: George Mamacas, the former Olympia president, is right behind the proposed merger. [PlessPix] The
proposed merger between Southern Championship club Olympia Warriors and NPL
Tasmania club Clarence Zebras has generated an enormous response.
Rather
than speculate, I decided to go straight to the horse’s mouth.
George Mamacas,
the former Olympia president, is one of the prime movers in the proposed merger
and he provided me with his vews and compelling arguments in favour of the
merger.
Here is my
interview with George.
Walter
Pless: Who came up
with the merger proposal? Were
there talks between the two clubs?
George
Mamacas: I had lunch
with Nick DiGiovanni. There was an
understanding between both of us that our clubs were struggling and something
needed to be done. I offered to get the two
clubs in the room for preliminary discussions. Thus far, three meetings have been held.
WP: What would the benefits for both clubs?
GM: Clearly, the main benefit for Olympia FC
would be being able to have their players and supporters back in the NPL and
WSL. This would bring a pathway back to
the top level of football in Tasmania for both men and woman and give rise to
the supporter base and status of the club as whole.
I can say
the discussion of an Eastern Shore super club was had. The combining of two of the biggest clubs in
Tasmania over half a century can only be a good thing. It is my view that both clubs would benefit
immensely from this merger and shake things up a bit. The resources of both clubs fed into one
entity would become a force in a short period of time. We would be able to amalgamate sponsors and
have a lot more influence with the Clarence City Council. Our club would dwarf every other club in the
area, being Nelson and Southeast United. The Youth would gravitate directly to us as we
would make it clear that we are the ‘go-to’ club for football on the Eastern
Shore. There would be only one real
choice, and an excellent one at that. Both
clubs in their current form have been struggling for success on the field at
their respective top levels. This will
change.
WP: Which ground would be the home venue for the
proposed new club?
GM: Wentworth Park would be the NPL and WSL
venue. Empire Courier Park would be used
for training in the preseason and for games below the NPL and WSL levels.
Both
grounds will be utilised on any given weekend.
WP:
What would be the name of the new club? Would something like ‘Olympia Warriors
Clarence Zebras’ be too long-winded?
GM: The name of the club is still up for
discussion. There are some definite
possibilities, but I shall not reveal them as, should the merger take place, we
are planning a big media exposure when the new club is launched.
Photo: George Mamacas may be the president of the new merged club. [PlessPix] WP: You say we. What will be your involvement?
GK: I have been asked by both clubs to nominate
as President. This, for me, will be a huge
honour and a responsibility I will not take lightly. I enjoy club administration. I enjoy winning. Both clubs currently have fantastic, dedicated
football people on their boards. I will
work with them and we will become one family, harnessing everybody’s strengths.
To ensure the survival of both clubs’
heritage and history will be paramount to success. Making sure every man, woman and child at the
club experiences football in the best possible way. I personally want all players to reach the
peak of their ability, whatever that is. I would urge all budding footballers, no
matter their age, to come to this exciting new club.
WP: Before any proposed merger could occur, what
has to happen? For example, do the
boards of both clubs have to vote on it?
Do members of both clubs get a vote?
GM: I can only give certainty on the Olympia FC
process, but I suspect the Clarence Zebras process will be much the same. At Olympia FC there will be an AGM meeting
held on the 27th of October at the home ground. At this meeting, there will be a motion put
forward. A ‘yes’ or ‘no’ vote will be
cast by financial members only. This
merger will only go ahead should a ‘yes’ vote prevail. I would urge those in attendance to vote for
the ‘yes’.
WP: Your
name has always been synonymous with Olympia, a club founded by Greeks, and a
club that is a mainstay of Tasmania's Greek community. What would a merger with an Italian-founded
and backed club mean to you and to the Greek community? Surely, it would be a unique situation in
Australian football?
GM: There is no doubting that this is unique. This is the opportunity for club survival. Olympia FC right now is a different beast to
what it has been in the past. The club
has found it difficult since being put out of the NPL. It has been stated to me that this is an
opportunity we cannot miss. The current
Board has done a terrific job to keep the club in the black and trading. It speaks volumes that current Olympia
President, Matthew Sly, and his board are in full support of this merger. After hearing the facts, I am as well. Parents and players are quite rightly
wondering about their futures and pathways to the top levels. Sadly, the Women’s Super League has also had
no Olympia FC in it for a few years. This
will give Olympia girls the chance to once again play in the top league at the
earliest opportunity.
WP: Have
Football Tasmania expressed an opinion? Would they need to sanction the merger?
GM: Football Tasmania have, indeed, been told of
the talks and are very supportive of the process.
WP: Did Football Tasmania
torpedo Olympia's latest bid to be admitted to the NPL Tasmania competition?
GM: I can say that correspondence was sent to
Olympia stating results and the lack of a compliant home ground were two of the
major reasons for not being accepted into the league this time round. It was also made clear that it would be
difficult to get in any time in the foreseeable future.
WP:
What would Olympia's traditional Greek
supporters think of the merger proposal?
GM: The ‘no’ voters will be voting on emotion and
from an ignorance of the facts. Who are
we to not heed the word of those currently at the coal face, namely being the executive
board of Olympia? They are there, they
know the facts and they know what is best for the club. They have my full support.
WP:
Do you know what the players of both
clubs think?
GM: I have spoken to Alex Holmes [Olympia’s
senior coach] and he has had players express concern for pathways within the
club. A merger, done the right way, will
be welcomed by Olympia FC players who seek to play one day at the top level. I do not have a read on the Clarence Zebras
players, other than to say if this merger can bring them success, I doubt they
would any have issues.
WP:
Is there a time-line for this proposal?
GM: Hit the ground running with the club playing
its first game in season 2025.
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