Parramatta City FC: Celebrating 50 years and a place to truly call home

Liam Watson
Images courtesy of Parramatta City FC

As a Club entrenched in history, Parramatta City FC has secured a double milestone in its future towards providing a football team for the region.

For many years, Parramatta City had no authentic home ground, having been based in the neighbouring suburb of Rydalmere.

However, coinciding with the half century of existence is the confirmed move to Old Saleyards Reserve in the suitably located heartland of North Parramatta.

Thanks to the individuals and committee members and their negotiations with City of Parramatta Council, the new fields bring a range of benefits – such as increased capacity for participation, improved facilities and enhanced community engagement.

Two of those committee members to turn the plans into reality are Club Secretary Lou Mantzos and President Angelo Aronis.

Having been at the Club since day one in 1974 from their junior days in numerous capacities, both are still heavily involved in driving future growth in participants in junior and senior level.

Mantzos described what it was like at Rydalmere and how the move across to Old Salesyards Reserve unfolded.

Training at Eric Primrose Reserve in Rydalmere.

“We had been at Rydalmere since 1981 and it’s an older area that is now growing with some new housing,” he told Soccerscene.

“However, the only way for us to survive long-term was being back in Parramatta, rather than competing with Rydalmere FC who are based up the road and with brand new facilities.

“The breakthrough occurred last year with executive general managers of council in the parks & recreation area.

“We had follow up meetings early this year and eventually our mission was accomplished in leasing Old Saleyards Reserve which is a nine-year-old facility.

“The fields are in excellent shape and rated as one of three A-grade grounds in the Parramatta precinct.

“We now have a dozen teams training and playing at the venue and once the junior rugby league moves across to Doyle Park nearby, we will be permanently based at our new home in 2025.”

The new home of Old Saleyards Reserve.

Similarly to all clubs involved in the negotiation process, challenges are always going to occur, whether it be due to capacity or financially.

Aronis shared his involvement at the Club alongside Mantzos during a difficult period.

“We came into it 4-5 years ago as a sub-committee, working on the new grounds and other issues involved in the Club,” he said to Soccerscene.

“The previous committees did their best in trying times, worked hard, kept the club afloat especially during the Covid pandemic but lost numerous teams during and post this period, and potentially other clubs had similar problems.

“It did make us realise that Rydalmere was not a growth area.

“For example, across Silverwater Road, Newington and Sydney Olympic Park precinct was thriving and nobody wanted to cross over and get to us which is essentially walking distance.

“The other side of Silverwater Road, which includes Wilson Park, now NSW cricket academy, was growing exponentially and the previous committees just weren’t able to attract the numbers we needed.”

The Covid-19 pandemic was not immune to Parramatta City, who needed to navigate through postponed games and seasons.

It presented the confronting reality that even a Club like Parramatta City could fold due to mounting hardship and pressure.

However, Aronis and Mantzos persevered and played a crucial role in keeping the Club afloat.

It was one initiative in particular that Mantzos believes changed the Club’s fortunes entirely.

“In September last year, after failed attempts due to Covid-19 lockdowns, we finally held a reunion game to bring back some familiar faces,” he said.

“It was Andrew Charlton (Federal MP for Parramatta) who assisted with funding for some new equipment and together helped bring many former players back to participate on the day.

“There was a collective buy-in from all participants – the former Parramatta City state league (a powerhouse during the 90’s) and all-age players paid $20 to enter as a way to raise funds and interest.

“We got 40 players on the day and the game attracted a lot of attention as people started talking about it and that was the reason why we did it – we wanted to get traction back rather than see a slow demise.

“We had a ‘Beyond 50’ push that really urged Club members to get behind us and do what they could to keep us around for the next 50 years.”

The reunion game welcomed many familiar faces.

The reunion proved a major hit, paving the way for long-term success in participation.

Aronis added what the overall impact was like post-event and a great indication of what we expect to see.

“We had two teams in 2023 as a band-aid solution, and if it stayed that way, we would have had no choice but in folding the Club,” he said.

“For this season, the number of teams is up at 12 and the reunion was one of the springboard we needed as we reached that figure without really trying.

“Now, we anticipate that we will double that figure by 2025 which would be a fantastic result.

“We were really proud of the efforts of all involved on reunion day and every bit that went into it was worth it.”

“In closing, I sincerely thank all those individuals and recent committees of this proud club for the contributions.”

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Yarraville Glory FC: Building Community Through Football

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Image Credit: Yarraville Glory FC website

For Yarraville Glory FC, football isn’t just about competition—it’s about connection. Whether through the partnerships with Mells Football Academy & Summer Holiday Football, or fundraising efforts like Think Pink, the club is creating more than just players; it’s building a stronger, more inclusive community.

Speaking with Soccerscene, President of Yarraville Glory FC Jim Babatzanis discusses how the club is making football accessible for all and turning the game into a powerful tool for junior growth and family bonding.

Can you tell us about the club’s mission when it comes to community involvement? How has that shaped Yarraville Glory’s identity?

Jim Babatzanis: Our goal is to get everyone together—parents, kids, seniors—all involved together. We want to bring it back to when we played as kids, when you would stay at the ground all day, and parents would connect with parents from other teams. It’s about making the club feel like a family, not just a community. We’re starting to bring that back slowly, and we can already see the positive impact.

How do you ensure that football at Yarraville Glory FC is accessible and inclusive for people of all backgrounds and abilities?

Jim Babatzanis: We’ve done indigenous training; we’ve done all different types of training. Last year, we had African community leaders come in and have a chat with us as well. We want to include everyone because, at the end of the day, we’re all the same—our differences don’t matter. 

Yarraville Glory FC has recently formed an official partnership with Mells Football Academy. What does this collaboration mean for the club, and how does it fit into the club’s long-term vision?

Jim Babatzanis: For us, this partnership provides more training for our juniors in a smaller, more intimate environment. Coaches will be handling 15 kids and aren’t able to coach individually; they have to coach for a team environment. For us, the vision is for us to guide our juniors all the way to the senior team. George Mells, who has played in the A-League and overseas, has helped us in these academies, bringing invaluable experience to help develop young players. As well as this, James Golding, our technical director, his work that he does with us is unbelievable. I’m most excited about seeing the kids improve their skills and play at the highest possible level they can achieve.

Could you please tell us a bit about the Summer Holiday Football Camp? What should players and parents expect from this camp, and could you walk us through how the camp was structured and what makes it a unique opportunity for young footballers?

Jim Babatzanis: Firstly, it gives them time to be away from technology and be out and about, and George creates a fun environment for the kids. They spend the day there playing, training, learning new skills, and meeting new people as well. It’s not just kids from our club that go to it; kids from multiple clubs come for the camp. Every school holiday, every term, they have these camps available.

How does the Summer Holiday Football Camp align with the broader goals of Yarraville Glory FC in terms of developing young players, fostering team spirit, and instilling a love for football in the community?

Jim Babatzanis: Keeping the kids playing the game, the game that they enjoy. For me, the more the kids play the game, the more they fall in love with it. I know from my kids, even though they play in the girls, when they’re not there, they won’t be as inclined to play it. Kids these days have different varieties to pick from. Keeping them in love with it, that’s all it is.

Could you walk me through the origins of the GO Family Program and how the partnership was formed? What were the initial goals of this collaboration, and how did it all come together?

Jim Babatzanis: The GO Family Program was formed through the council and Football Victoria. They approached us and other clubs like Maribyrnong Swift and Footscray United Rangers on if we would like to participate, and we agreed. Our first term had solid numbers, but the second term was a bit harder since many kids were already training with their clubs. Still, it’s a great initiative; families that have enjoyed it and had the chance to have a kick with their kids, usually the parents don’t get that opportunity.

The Think Pink campaign has been a significant initiative for the club. Could you share more about how it started and how the club involves its members and supporters in the fundraising efforts?

Jim Babatzanis: Pink Ribbon Day started a long time ago, way past my time being in the committee and president. It began after one of our supporters wives battled breast cancer. We wanted to give back to a good cause. Everyone gets involved—volunteering, donating, and participating in activities like jumping castles, cake stalls, and popcorn machines. One of the most memorable initiatives was when our technical director, James, shaved his long hair to raise funds. The kids loved it, even spray-painting his hair pink before cutting it off. 

Could you share a memorable moment from a fundraising event that really showed the community spirit of Yarraville Glory FC?

Jim Babatzanis: That hair-shaving event was probably one of the most memorable events on the pink ribbon day. Seeing all the kids having a laugh, the parents watching on, and the whole community being involved—it was a special moment. 

Thinking back on your time as president, what has been the most fulfilling or rewarding experience for you when it comes to the club’s work within the community? 

Jim Babatzanis: Growing our junior bases. When our committee took over, we had 180 registered players at the club. Now, we have 420 players and counting. Our female program as well; we went from two female teams to nine since my presidency. For us, that’s been huge, and for me personally, that has been really rewarding.

With the club’s focus on both sporting excellence and community engagement, how do you manage to strike a balance between those two aspects? 

Jim Babatzanis: It’s hard because there is a fine line you’re tinkering on. Kids want to play for fun, but they also want to win. We work to nurture both aspects by improving our coaching staff and training methods. Our technical director, James, plays a big role in this, assisting our coaches in developing the kids. Knowing that each team is different and being around it is important. Feeling the vibe of the team and parents can be challenging, as the president when it comes to winning and losing. You don’t want to lose that community feel of the club.

Andrew Holman on Majestri’s mission to revolutionise grassroots football

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Image credit: Majestri

In the world of grassroots football, managing a club can be just as challenging as playing the game itself. From registrations and finances to scheduling and communication, the administrative workload can overwhelm even the most dedicated volunteers. That’s where Majestri comes in.

Founded by former TechnologyOne employees Mike Clahsen, Andrew Holman and John Kent, Majestri was born from a desire to simplify club operations by bringing enterprise-level software to the community sports space. What started as a solution for a single Brisbane football club has since expanded to 250 clubs nationwide across multiple sporting codes, helping streamline administration and improve efficiency.

In an exclusive interview with SoccerScene, Majestri’s Andrew Holman shares insights into the company’s journey, its deep-rooted connection to football, and its commitment to working closely with clubs to provide tailored solutions.

He also discusses the challenges of expansion, the growth of grassroots football, and the future of Majestri in Australia and beyond.

Theo Athans

Speaking on your specific journey, can you talk about the previous jobs or roles you had before the creation of Majestri?

Andrew Holman

In a previous life, the three of us that started Majestri worked for Australia’s largest software company, TechnologyOne. That is where we each learnt what it takes to build and support enterprise-level software.

We saw an opportunity at the end of 2010 to go out on our own and try to bring some of those sensibilities from building software for the big end of town into the community sports world and that’s ultimate how Majestri started.

T.A.

Can you discuss why the company chose to focus on the local football industry? Is it because you have a passion for the game?

A.H.

The real requirement came from Majestri co-founder, Mike Clahsen, who was the president at his local club was up here in Brisbane. That was where a lot of the early requirements for a club administration system stemmed from.

Personally I’ve played football for over 40 years now, from the age of 7. It’s a fantastic game, it’s the best game in the world, and we can see in every community just how important it is through the junior representation. Football is truly the world game and you can see that even in Australia where it isn’t the national code.

I’m getting a bit old to keep playing regularly now even though I do have a run for 10 weeks in a social competition at the end of every year. I’m 5 years into my coaching journey now with my son’s team, which I’m finding is very fulfilling. There’s immense reward to working with talented kids at that younger, discovery age around 8-12 years.

I guess that’s where the passion has come from, after playing for many years and now into coaching as a parent of a young player.

T.A.

The participation rates are growing every year and the numbers are huge for grassroots soccer so do you see a big potential for growth in this industry?

A.H.

I can tell you unequivocally because we see the numbers. Many clubs have been with us for over a decade now, and their player numbers have at least doubled in the last 10 years. This is even before you factor in the recent meteoric rise of female football on the back of the Matildas World Cup campaign. The demand is accelerating and clubs are at their respective limits in terms of trying to cater to that local demand.

T.A.

What was the inspiration or motivation behind starting Majestri and moving on from your previous job?

A.H.

TechnologyOne was a great place to work, and taught us so much of what we know about building product software, but there was always a latent desire to do our own thing.

Mike had retired from TechnologyOne by 2010 but was actively involved in football, and club administration in particular. When he described ‘Sign-On Day’ activities as having his room full of player registration sheets and sports bags full of cash that couldn’t be banked until the following Monday, we identified that there was potential for a software solution.

With a specialised skill set around financial software in particular, we decided to start with the Treasurer, and have been iterating on the software ever since to cater for other committee positions.

T.A.

How big is your current club portfolio?

A.H.

I would say we are at around 250 clubs around the country and not all of them are football but most of them are.

Although we started with football, we’ve since learned that there is a common set of problems for volunteers no matter what code of sport you play. Certainly, football is what we’re most familiar with, but it’s amazing what you learn about how the nuances of other codes work along the way.

T.A.

Speaking of ambition, do you see Majestri becoming mainstream with leagues and/or associations over the next few years?

A.H.

No, I don’t think our offering will ever been mainstream. The most surprising aspect of this whole journey is the near-uniform resistance of sporting associations at all levels to a club administration system like Majestri.

Despite repeated attempts to rectify this, we’ve accepted that our future lies in our past. This system got to where it is because of working directly with the magnificent volunteers on the ground that give up big parts of their lives to ensure kids get on the pitch, and that is where our success will continue to lay.

There is no shortcut to earning the trust of clubs and the volunteers, so at the moment we’ll continue to introduce them to Majestri one at a time and give them the personalised experience that demonstrates we know what they do.

Every club is unique and part of the overall ‘technology problem’ is this expectation that one solution to capture player registrations will be an immediate fit for all clubs. It’s nowhere near as simplistic as that. Club operations run a wide spectrum of complexity, which is calculated by factors such as how many players are at the club and the different licenses that may be held to field teams at a range of competitive levels. Combine this with a year-round expectation of additional programs such as holiday coaching clinics and skill development programs, and some clubs are serious operations. Others are more traditional where the Winter season is played and then there’s a marked off-season. We endeavour to cater for either end of that spectrum and all clubs in between.

T.A.

Thinking very long term here, do you see the company going international at any point or is the goal to stay in Australia and grow here?

A.H.

There’s always the possibility of overseas opportunities, but I think there are still plenty of problems left to solve in Australia. There are plenty of clubs that we haven’t spoken to yet, and there’s a chance our offering could really help.

Taking a product overseas necessarily introduces complexity to accompany the growth, and I think our prerogative is to build more features. Club operations aren’t static – the compliance and governance continues to grow with the expectation that volunteers will give up more time as a result. It’s just not sustainable without an industrial-strength system underpinning it all, and that’s where we want to focus.

T.A.

You started with the three co-founders but has the company grown in size with employees or any help to operate the 250 club portfolio?

A.H.

We have two active developers involved which is John and myself, two of the three co-founders. Mike has taken a step back from administration to devote significant time to a charity called BrAshA-T, which seeks to cure a particularly awful disease. We also have a gun administrator named Nicole who takes a lot of work off our hands four days a week.

We consider ourselves experts in business automation, and part of proving that is that we can streamline and automate our own business as well. We learnt how to do this by building product software for many years, which is a very difficult skill in our industry. The software we built for TechnologyOne was used by over 1,000 enterprise customers, so a lot of the learnings from our respective careers there have been refined and implemented in Majestri.

 

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