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.
151 comments:
Not for the first time.
Many, many, many moons ago there was a concerted push for Olympia and Taroona to merge. Olympia were training at Taroona at the time.
One of the reasons it didn't happen was due to the requirement that Olympia be in the new club name.
I think it is also important for me to point out that due diligence was in its infancy. Documents were still being sourced for a review by an appointed accountant. The Olympia FC statement suggesting there was a completion or thorough review done is not accurate. The inference that the club walked away for this reason is not the case. I feel for the Clarence Zebras board. They have been nothing but honest, transparent, excited and keen to make this work. To put it mildly Olympia have been stretching the truth in their press release to their members.
I wish Clarence Zebras FC all the best.
GM you are lucky this occurred this point and not further down the track. Zebras need all the help they can get but Ido not believe access to your financial kindness is fair.
They have created the situation they are in and I believe that if the club folds then be it on the board head as they have created this farcical situation.
Good luck to Olympia also and work to get ack in the NPL
There is no pathway for Olympia and NPL, Olympia at best will become a social club at worst they will dissolve
Zebras hold an NPL licence, Olympia don't!!! Zebras will be fine, but Olympia have missed a great oportunity and I can't see them ever getting into the NPL.
Prior to there special meeting the board advised that if the merge didnt happen, the whole board would resign! I hope they have stood by this????
About time. Some common sense.
Rumour is that 5 out of the 8 resigned.
How can this occur when the vote with the financial members was overwhemingly in favour of merging. Well good luck in paying the 230k unpaid bills and loans, good luck with finding 1.5 M to replace the grass( five years overdue), good luck finding 500k to replace the wiring and lights that keep blowing. Do you really think that the yes voters now will continue supporting Olympia. What an opportunity lost to build a big club based on the eastern shore. The people with the loudest voices need to all stand up and put your money where your mouths are
Merge with barnestonworth.....the Olympia barnestonworth warriors!!! Kings of div 4
Relistically moving forward Olympia needs to market themselves as a family club for the youth to develop. Youth meaning 13 and under. Until there are drastic changes it is a social club. Now mamacas has stepped away they need another cashed up/leader of the community to step forward and lead the club out of this mess.
Money talks and George walks
Money does not fix everything especially everything related to football. Do Olympia really have another as financial as GM who is happy to kiss millions goodbye for the sake of a game? That is not an investment and that is why I say kiss millions goodbye.
Olympia need an injection of new people and any existing people must listen and take note.
Going down the same old road year after year has not and does not work.
Totally agree. Small group of people living on the past & dreaming too much. Was a ripper club for many years. Once George left it was all down hill. The opportunity was there to once again make it great with the chance of the Super Club. With money & brains behind the wheel & obviously CZ & GM we’re happy to work together. The brainless few who wouldn’t agree to a name change need to stand out the front, across the road & look at the big picture. It’s an embarrassment! The pitch, the fences, the overall presentation of the entrance. Mmmmm, can’t see them being able to afford to resurrect any of this anytime soon. Farewell Warriors!
Maybe a blessing for Zebras that this merger failed.
Once were Warriors
As I understood it the board was going to stand down if the vote did not get up at the meeting to progress to the next stage ie due diligence, to make sure they were getting what they voted for. Obviously they felt they weren’t so they acted accordingly and pulled the plug as they said they would at the meeting.
Thanks to them for being honest and taking into account what there members actually voted for….
The Zebras board needs to really think about if they want to lead this club or not, if not make it known and hopefully some new blood will step up.
I think all three clubs are in trouble not just Olympia. NPL will fall apart. Football TAS is trying to run the same competitions as the mainland but we don’t have the numbers. Tassie is a AFL state and they can’t even sustain a statewide league , so how is Football TAS going to sustain it. Also Clarence Zebras must be in financial trouble for them to ask George to merge. Having an NPL license doesn’t mean they will be alright. They have had an NPL license for how many years now,They will continue to struggle. Football tas has a lot to answer for as they keep making the same mistakes over and over again.
Spirit??? Isnt that the name propsed for a Metro takeover once apon a time
Agreed. Then the brains trust want to add in more teams to the already weakened NPL. AFL and Basketball are the winners in the state as FFT were too slow. Just have to look at the amount of juniors now playing basketball and football in schools compared the soccer. She is a dead concept this state league now.
Funny how people act when they don’t get their own way…
From the outside looking in… All well and good to be trading as Clarence Olympia FC Zebras.. but the new ‘President’ couldn’t adhere to the first dot point of the merger plan and blames everyone else for his own mistakes…. And continues to fire pot shots
Classic GM.
When George came back to Hobart Olympic his first job was to bring back the Olympia name. I’m guessing it was important to him. Now it’s about not wanting to be the president of Clarence and Zebras. The Olympia name is just collateral damage
So is South East utd going to be able to fill all the underage teams to gain an NPL License, or is FFT going to change the bar again as they do every year. Is there anyone who can enlighten me on what is needed for an NPL license.
Fft 😂
The real issue here is that these clubs considered a merger. Now it's either mis management which I'm sure there has been , but what I'm even more sure about is lack of funding. Real football has highest youth enrolment, but looses them all to AFL... How can this improve??
With AFL coming , football is dead in this state.
You could play Benny Hill music in the background of this post!
Didn't George talk of a seamless transition?
He and DJ should be expelled from any administrative position within sports clubs.
They are a disgrace. What a mess - it's a poor look for the sport and it's no wonder were not taken seriously.
All this commotion and to walk away because of a few letters in a name. Lol
The Olympia members voted YES to the Merger as long as the Olympia name survives. Clarence agreed to that condition.
So George let the Merger collapse because he couldn’t reverse the deal agreed on between the 2 clubs. Both clubs may have dodged a bullet
Good luck then, Olympia will only be a championship league team while based at warrior park. Aren’t you listening the ground will never get approval for NPL
It’s about time things at Clarence changed ! Unfortunately without someone with the brains and go forward thinking like George at the helm it’s just going to be another disastrous few years ahead even if they can field a side of decent players willing to join the club for the peanuts they shell out
This is about as funny as South Hobart thinking they are good enough to play in a Mainland competition
South are closer to playing in that comp than these two clubs are to improve for the better. They have tried for years and are getting worse. And can we please stop teferring to the 3 clubs? It is it should I say was, Olympia and Clarence, not Olympia Clarence and Zebras. Two clubs cannot play as one .
South could very well be competing in a mainland competition if they win the NPL next year https://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news/football-australia-unveils-new-format-and-start-date-national-second-tier-competition?fbclid=IwY2xjawGZI7ZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHSqn-0dmFCEcuzM9n4-9JLUzzvlsdX_NuKFM5KyQBqoVwoY4cPmLA_pQcQ_aem_echbwzVEFjEuM46RWVF7Kg
The whole NPL set up is washed now. Go back to northern and southern conference with cross over games like the NBA.
It’s so funny to watch everyone bitching about the politics of football, just play the game and let the sport develop overtime. Rome wasn’t built in a day.
This is tiring. How is the NPL so washed?
What is the issue with an 8 team state wide comp. I have no idea why people are constantly complaining. Please enlighten me
9.38AM You are assuming that Olympia have to stay at Warrior Park. They don’t!
It is not sustainable
Yeah. But we’re not waiting that long.
Disagree
Can anybody tell me how the NPL is sustainable
how is it not sustainable. I hear alot of complaining but not a lot of reasons why it’s so bad.
Anon 7.02. Maybe all those that keep saying it’s unsustainable can explain how and why it’s unsustainable? It keeps getting mentioned but never any reasons backing up the statements.
I'd say a lot of NPL sustainability comes down to the good old filthy lucre. However have no idea if FT properly fund the NPL and wider soccer in the state. Their last Financial Report on their website is for 2021. Their last annual report also for 2021 was just a couple of plain pages of text - compare it to any mainland federation report - clearly money must be too tight to mention (great song that).
Been going for 11 years despite people saying each year that it will collapse. Only 1
Team voluntarily dropped out (rangers), 2 team merged(Clarence, Zebras) and clubs wanting to be involved(South East, Ulverstone, Olympia). This year was one of the best finishes to the NPL season with 3 teams a chance in the final rounds.
Rome was built in a day .
It took me 6 days to work it out one day to build it lol
Yet to hear a reason otherwise, sounds like a whole lot of winging to me.
It isn't, but FT will stick with it as their bosses on the Mainland tell them what to do.
You new here? How long are we expected to wait? Rome was built quicker than FFT can sort their shit out.
Have you watch a game? Standard is no way as good as the first few years it started. No promotion for it statewide.
Just because the NPL hasn't folded, doesn't mean it's not a joke of a competition.
Look at the bottom teams since inception:
Launnie United - 1 win in 2 seasons (0.5 wins / year). STILL IN COMP.
Clarence United - 8 wins in 4 seasons (2 wins / year). MERGED - STILL IN COMP.
Riverside - 18 wins in 6 years (3 wins / year). STILL IN COMP.
Rangers = GONE and suffering.
Warriors = GONE and suffering.
Every year it is South, Dev and Knights to compete. Its boring.
Kingo and Laun City take some points here and there, show some promise but don't deliver, have maybe have a say in who wins it.
There is no real need for the struggling teams mentioned above to get better. As long as they hold the license, it doesn't matter the result.
We don't have enough quality teams to genuinely compete each year. And we don't have relegation / promotion to create some pressure to perform and entertainment.
It might be sustainable in the sense that yes - the competition might continue into the future. But it's not entertaining. It's boring. The engagement is low. I remember 10-15 years ago when Walter's blogs were firing. People WANTED to chat about how fierce the competition and particular games were. People would watch the big games in their thousands. Now it's a few mums and nans. It's dying..
It’s a joke the are continuing their incompetent’s and even with New Leadership.
The standard of players isn’t sustainable that’s for sure if you look past the top 3 teams
Fair comment. Take away imports from each team and it would not be a laughing stock
Anon 4.50. Presuming again? Money too tight to mention ??
How about getting the facts before presuming?
Anon 4pm
The fact the league has continued to operate over a continued period of time is a pretty solid argument against your non sustainable point.
In 2024 there were 3 teams that could have won the league on its last day. Just so you are aware that is 3 out of 8 teams. Just under half. Quite remarkable. This year we also saw 2 teams in a final that had not made a final for a number of years.
Riverside and Launceston city both took points of top 4 sides on more then 1 occasion.
Arguments once again that are fact that point towards league growth.
In 2025 there will be 3 NPL coaches that are full time and from outside the state. Perhaps showing Tasmania as a footballing destination for coaches.
I accept your valid point regarding performances of clubs and their lack of wins over a period of time.
That argument could lack merit of the league were expanded to 10 perhaps United may feature some wins, would that then negate your argument ?
The reality is if something isn't sustainable it dies and to my eyes clubs seem to be improving rather then declining across the board.
Anon 4.00 pm 11/11. You should have been around in the 80s and 90s.
I was around in the 90’s and I remember all the old timers saying the standard had dropped and I should have been around in the 70’s
The Women’s League is a prime example it’s going backwards big time .
Ahh yes of course, the grand finale! And how many mums and nans attended on this spectacular last day? Be lucky to push 100.
sustainable
/səˈsteɪnəbl/
adjective
1.
able to be maintained at a certain rate or level.
This is literally what I said - "It might be sustainable in the sense that yes - the competition might continue into the future. But it's not entertaining."
I stand by that still, even despite it coming to the last day - it's still boring. As I pointed out, it's always between the same three, which you just confirmed. The quality isn't there. The hype isn't there. There is no atmosphere at the games. AKA it isn't sustainable. It will keep dropping over the next few years like it has the last. Especially with the AFL Tas team. See ya later potential footballers, they've just changed codes. If you think there is league growth then you are absolutely delusional.
If the NPL opens to 10 teams, we dilute the competition even more.. so yes, more worse teams, and yes maybe Laun United will get some wins? That doesn't make them any better, or any more competitive against the top 4. I don't really get your point here.
Anyway, there is literally no point complaining. FFT won't do anything about it.
What three coaches are full time if you don’t mind me asking?
South hobart Riverside, Devonport
Ken Morton was not a full time South Hobart coach. The majority of time was spent working/ managing the soccer school. That is not owned by South Hobart and he only coached them on part time basis.
Anon 12.31
The mind boggles. Same 3 teams in an 8 team competition. Literally just under half of the league are very close do you understand how rare that is? In any competition?
And Knights and Kingborough…
The Current Standard is woeful in the NPL and WSL .
Devenport and River are the only two clubs with full time coaches.
Anon 4pm
How is 3 teams competing for the league boring? That's the case in every league at every level, 2-3 teams compete for the title every year and you have mid-table sides and bottom of the ladder sides. If you're really good, you play for one of the top teams, if you're average or not so good you could get a game at a lower team, nothing wrong or boring with that.
And if it's really that boring and uninteresting to you, just don't watch it, simple.
Sounds like a lot of moaning for no reason. If promotion and relegation gets introduced we will see comments like: that ruined the league, fft have no clue, there are teams that are happy to play champ blah blah blah
Go support your favorite team and enjoy the league for what it is. If it pisses you off, just don't watch it. Better solution than constantly bagging out teams, leagues, organization and so forth
Anon Nov 12 10.04PM
Yes, thanks for explaining fractions and percentages mate I appreciate that.
You simply don’t get it.
Of course having 3 teams on the last day having an opportunity to win, is a good thing. I don’t deny that. But it’s always the same 3. And the rest of the teams fail to improve, with some collapsing.
3 of 8 teams (LITERALLY just under half, that’s 37.5% in case you’re wondering!) have won less than 3 games / year since they joined the NPL.
But whatever. Please go and enjoy your super sustainable NPL comp with heaps of week to week excitement, and big fan turnouts!
I do happily and fully understanding that sports isn't always going to entertain you. If you want 100% guaranteed entertainment go and watch a marvel film.
Here endeth the lesson you whinge.
6:03 pm What can be done to fix it then.
Response to November 13, 2024 at 3:05 PM
Yes, that is common with how leagues should work. Ie., few teams compete, few teams mid table, few teams battle. Unfortunately, it's just the same teams every year.
A question for you guys supporting the current structure - If the competition is so exciting, can you explain why the numbers are so low at games? That final day extravaganza mentioned above where the league was decided, had maximum 200 people attend?
I am not supporting it, I just rather enjoy the competition for what it is rather than bag it out all the time. 200 people for an amateur sporting event in Tassie (not AFL or cricket) is probably as good as it gets. Wondering if you are trying to find top level entertainment for next to nothing. If you went to that game and paid $7 entry fee what did you expect to see Real Madrid vs Barcelona?
You obviously weren't at the last game of the season at kgv.
I bet he says return to southern and northern champ. The guy is clueless.
Some old players moving club to club for Money ! Very Surprised South would go back to the future with their recent signing .
Anon Nov 13 8:54pm
Ahh yes when the same percentage calculations that supported your argument, opposes your argument, it ends! What a surprise.
Wouldn't waste my time with a Marvel Film. That wouldn't give me old grumpy self anything to whinge about!
No passion left in football
games gone
I think most want a north or south not statewide ,waste of space and money.
Not sure how anything opposed my argument 3 out of 8 teams could have won it. That's exciting
Be interesting to see how many games J Turner actually plays . Seems like he pops up every couple years for 5 games and disappears again .
No passion left in football, eh, Such a sweeping statement. There are lots of players at all levels in Tas that have great passion for the game.
You'll find a way. Probably hated the last world cup final.
South don't pay players
Laka cup final had well above 200
South don’t pay players lol, that’s not true and everyone knows it. Pretty obvious
South almost have too much quality in their midfield, you’d think a couple of them would be looking to leave.
How much would ya bet? I’m the comment above, and I actually support the idea of a state league. Speaking of clueless lol.
I just don’t agree with the way it’s currently run/organised. I’m also not looking to bag it. Unlike some of you, I’m just not pleased to accept mediocrity and pretend like it’s a thriving competition.
Same teams are winning. Other teams are dying. I’m not sure how you can be pleased with it tbh.
How come all this money was spent recently on Warrior Park when the ground is not NPL standard?
The same teams win in every league across the world
Best ask FT. They decided it was not suitable.
Monies spent at the ground to improve council facilities and also benefit under 6 to adult players, not everything is about NPL
Only NPL players deserve decent change rooms? The needs of women players don't count?
Making something out of nothing, grow up.
Funny how FFT used Warriors park for NPL games when other grounds were washed out.
Only for FFT to later say the ground isn’t suitable for NPL.
SV Berlin Tasmania.
Anon 7.55 pm. ????????
Comparing the entertainment of NPL Tas to a World Cup final is all time. Love it mate!
Will South pay previous players outstanding $?
How did you find the Denmark 0 Tunisia 0 game at the last world cup. Entertained enough?
Walter - I know you don't often comment on here, or respond to comments much.
But genuinely interested to hear your thoughts on the current state of the game? For someone who has been involved in Tassie football spanning decades, how do you see where it is currently placed / where you see it going?
South’s have already bought themselves the Premiership for next season
Agree with Nov 15th. Yep, Jack Turner pops up & disappears like the Flash! Hell of a nice guy but always is on his terms. Doesn’t train half the time but still gets plenty of game time in which ever club.
Probably means https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SV_Tasmania_Berlin
Bought themselves some real pressure. Good luck Max
Knights bought this seasons
So did Manchester City, Celtic and a host of other clubs around the world. It’s what happens everywhere. Money!
Awwwww Naughty Knights not playing fair.....have a sook booo hooo it was good to see south go another season without a title. How many now?
Money talks down south. South Hobart buying a premiership. Guess they have to find a way to win it again. They are ready to enter the second tier comp… oh hang on
I’m all for it. As long as they pay their players on time this season…
But they are playing for big money and spots in Europe. Knights spent a fortune to just win the NPL in Tasmania. Its a joke.
But the Knight$ won again
Apparently no $$ left this year so don't panic
GKFC double winners 2024
That's what the records will say.
I mean it’s so worth it, splashing the $ to win the NPL in Tasmania. Life changing
Better then losing.
Time to move on loser
Anyone see the scores in the champions league this morning. 4 of the games a team has won by 4 goals. HOW BORING
Every club if able spend money to improve their squad facilities etc some do it better like knights and Devenport recently some fail badly like Clarence and Launceston / riverside all throw money at solving problems
Selecting the right players staff and coaches is the hardest part and getting them to work together firstly you need a committee who actually have a clue which a few of the above mentioned have proven they don’t
Look at some champ clubs like hbt city - they kill another club then offer free rego to seniors and reserves and pay their cis he’s as much as npl coaches and they finished I. The bottom three of the champ only worse the a zebra and knights third tier squad
So money does not gaurentee anything except power and control to the ones splashing it
You are the second person in this thread to compare the entertainment of NPL Tas to world class soccer and it is absolutely hilarious hahaha.
Can you do a story walter on who south have signed it would be a great help i heard they got kobe kemp
I believe they have also signed Laura Davis from Boro a bit clear out at that club by the looks of it.
South Hobart are creating a totally different WSL team to last year. They are poaching players from all the other clubs. Is going to be boring to watch week after week. What are they trying to achieve? I feel sorry for their 2024 players that won't get a run because of this.
Don’t think they’ll have a single coach returning from last season acrosss both men and women senior programs
Doubt there is poaching going on, my guess is with Ken Morton coaching the ladies are wanting to go and be coached by one of the best in the state. Can’t blame ‘em really.
Look forward to all the comments regarding South’s signings, Oh wait it’s play on as long as it isn’t Knights, Devonport or any other club in Tasmania $$$
Ummm south don't pay players.
Rumour hs it that Kate Ollerhead have also moved to South
Is there anything happening in the North of the state that is noteworthy ?
Why is the best coach in the game coaching women?
I’d like to congratulate $outh Hobart for killing the league. Diluting other teams will end the league. Mind you I’d love to see their book$ this year coming - profit and loss.
South don’t pay players😂😂
Why is he then best coach when he hasn’t won’t a trophy in 4 years
Just interested as I have seen this comment come up a few times. In recent times (last year or two) has this been said by a south offical? And if so can you point me to where it was said?
They threatened to sue a newspaper
Devonport sent 2 players home in the window
First it was Olympia$$$, then Knight$$$, then Dev$$$, then $$$outh Hobart.. Maybe its time you realise all clubs pay players and that's what keep the competition alive? It's failing as it is. Imagine if no clubs paid players, most the good ones would have left..
Will be playing champs
I’d like him to take on a team that doesn’t have the $ behind them.
Maybe ask yourself why players are leaving clubs, it's not all about money because the other clubs have it. Think about it!
It’s about money and not wanting to lose.
To think FFT want to expand to 10 teams in an already two tier comp as it is. It will be $outh, Knights then Dev or Laun City.
Yes, along with the other eagle girls that went to play under Ken. They’ll end up playing championship level again.
knights don’t even have enough players to fill an npl side right now how can you be so sure they’ll be a top 3 side?
Agree that's stupid. But I don't think paying players is..
10:31 you rank Knight$ to highly. It will be Port and Souths.
Go on write them off again.
Yes a lot of the coaches that have had success in Tasmania have the players brought in for them.
Don't see them build a young team
Post a Comment