Vale Karl Heinz Jakubec (28/8/1944 – 24/11/2024)

Photo:  Referee Karl Jakubec (right) records a goal in a social leagues game at KGV Park on 17 July, 2022. [PlessPix] 

The death has occurred in Hobart of refereeing identity Karl Jakubec at the age of 80.

He refereed at high levels locally earlier in his career and was well-known to players at every level of the game in Hobart.

Karl was still refereeing this past season in the social leagues despite being four-score years old.

He will be missed by all football followers, and in particular, by those social league players who often relied on Karl to referee their games.

He will be hard to replace at this level of the local game, where officials are scarce.

Karl thought nothing of officiating at two games in one day, one after the other.

Apart from refereeing, he was also a member of the Lindisfarne RSL Sub-Branch.

My condolences go to Karl’s family and friends.

He was always a cheery fellow who loved football dearly and was a servant of the game until the end.

Photo:  Referee Karl Jakubec (right) officiating at a social leagues match at KGV Park on 17 July, 2022. [PlessPix]

Proposed merger between Olympia and Clarence Zebras has been scrapped

The proposed merger between Southern Championship club Olympia FC Warriors and NPL Tasmania club Clarence Zebras is off

The newly announced president of the combined club which would have resulted from the merger, George Mamacas, has stepped away and released the following statement:

“I regret to advise that the merger between Olympia FC and Clarence Zebras will not proceed.

“At the Board meeting held on Monday evening I moved a motion that the name of the club for purposes of legalities, bank accounts etc remain Clarence Olympia FC Zebras but trading as Spirit FC.

“I proposed  that the club be marketed and play its games as Spirit FC. 

“I envisioned a future of chaos and confusion amongst players, supporters and sponsors with the COZ name being long convoluted  and unworkable from a marketing perspective.

“On Tuesday evening I was informed that Olympia FC was moving away from the merger.  They informed me it was because Olympia FC members wanted Olympia to be part of the name.

“It was made clear to them that the name Olympia had remained as the official name with the on-field and marketing name being Spirit FC.

“This in my view fulfilled the members’ request for the name Olympia. 

“This club, to work, needed a fresh start with a vibrant new launch which included a new on the field  branding. 

“Spirit FC was by most agreed to be perfect for this new club.  Sadly, some on the Olympia side did not agree.

“As there is no longer a merger I have stepped away.”

The Olympia club has also issued a statement:

To Olympia Members.

After a thorough review and due diligence process, we regret to announce that the proposed merger between Olympia FC Warriors and Clarence Zebras FC will not move forward.

Despite the strong potential for collaboration, due diligence uncovered certain factors that couldn't be reconciled.

Both parties have worked diligently, but we have determined that the timing and conditions are not right for this partnership.

The decision to not proceed with the merger was made by Olympia.

Olympia FC Warriors remain focused on our goals, continue to strengthen our respective teams and work towards a successful 2025 season for all our teams.

Regards,

Olympia FC Warriors.