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Western United to benefit from state government funding
Western United will receive funding from the Victorian government due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
United joins professional sporting teams from other codes including Rugby League and Netball, who will share a $9 million support package from the state government.
The funding has been allocated to ensure the short-term viability of professional clubs and national sporting organisations based in Victoria.
Commenting on the funding, Minister for Sport Martin Pakula said: “Top-level sport has copped a buffeting like all parts of society and it’s important that our clubs and peak bodies are able to get through this time in relatively good shape.”
“Professional sport and elite competition provide entertainment and inspiration and fans getting the all-clear to return to the stands will be a significant part of our economic recovery.”
Aki Ionnas is the General Manager & Director of Football at the Oakleigh Cannons FC, whose senior men’s side were champions of the National Premier Leagues (NPL) Victoria in 2024.
Speaking with Soccerscene in a wide-ranging chat, Ionnas details why his club continues to have great success on and off the park – cementing themselves as one of the top clubs in the state.
First of all, going back a couple of months now, you were crowned champions of NPL Victoria in 2024 – tell me a little bit about how rewarding it was to win the GF in Victoria this past season?
It was an amazing season and we deserved the results from the hard work we put in. If we even look back a bit further, what we’ve shown in the last 3 years is that we’ve proved we are the best team in NPL Victoria.
We’ve won 2 Championships in that time, a Dockerty Cup, a Community Shield and a Premiers Plate – what else can I say, these are great achievements.
What were the factors that you think contributed to your success last season, but also the last few years?
First of all, Chris Taylor and his coaching team, who are absolutely fantastic and have been for a number of years. Chris is a top class coach and since he’s been with us, he has won us plenty of silverware. Our Football Operations person, John Ioannou, has also made a huge contribution to our success on the field – working very closely with Chris.
The entire board, the great support we have from sponsors, it’s all a big family and the results continue to speak for themselves.
Everyone works hard together for the same cause and that’s a main reason why we have been so successful.
How will you sustain that success moving forward into next season, what are your objectives for next season?
It’s always hard to sustain the success, it’s not easy at all. We are a close-knit club and we are now always going to be the hunted. Being the hunted is always difficult, but we will always continue to try and achieve our goals and be up there at the end of the season.
There’s a recent history of success that we’ve established, record Grand Final wins and also good results in the Australia Cup (reaching the quarter and semi-finals recently), so we’ve found the formula and I don’t see why we can’t continue that.
Image credit: One Nil Media
Are you able to provide an update on the facility upgrades at Jack Edwards Reserve, how is that progressing at the moment and when is it due for completion?
It’s all going great. Our 550 Lux light towers are now up and they will be operational in a couple of weeks. All of our home games next season will be on a Friday Night, so everything is going to plan, which is amazing to see.
Could you just detail what the other planned facility upgrades are for?
Council has contributed significantly to these upgrades – tell me a little bit more about how this will positively impact your club and the local community overall?
We definitely appreciate council’s support but also a big thanks goes to our Chairman Kon Kavalakis and our President Stan Papayianneris – these two have been instrumental in getting this project up and running.
The facilities are great and it’s a hub for the local community in the area; it’s going to be fantastic and really take the club to the next level. We’ve seen success on the park and now we’re starting to see the success off the park. We’re going to be one of Melbourne’s leading clubs in the state of Victoria.
Of course, we’d love to be a part of the national second division. We have some of the best facilities in the state, we are looking very positively at the idea (of joining a national second tier).
Image credit: One Nil Media
What were the reasons around why the club wasn’t amongst the foundation clubs of the competition?
We initially just wanted to wait and see more of the details come out at the time of submission. Now that more details have come out into the open, it’s looking very positive overall.
With NPL Premiers across the country invited to join next year’s NSD, are you aware of the financial expectations if you were to win the premiership in NPL Victoria next season and get invited to the national competition (have they been communicated from FA to the clubs?)
No not as yet, but we expect those details to come out when appropriate.
What do you personally think of the NSD’s “Champions League” model, as opposed to the Home and Away model?
I personally think it’s a great start (with the announcement of the Champions League model) and if it was to be a home and away season eventually, we would look at those details when they come out and make a further decision.
Just back on the club, obviously women’s football participation continues to boom in the state – is an NPL Women’s side for your club on the immediate agenda for you to implement?
It’s definitely on the agenda and it’s a high priority for us. We have people in the background working on this and with the participation rates great around the women’s game it.
Image credit: One Nil Media
What does the future for the club look like Aki? Obviously, there are very positive signs – where do you see the club positioned over the next few years and what are its main objectives?
We want this club to continue its strong success in all areas. We are always striving for this club to be competing for silverware, whether that’s in Victoria or on a national level.
The City in the Community (CiTC) initiative ‘Man Up: Creating Respectful Relationships’ has launched the evaluation report for the pilot program, which aims to promote healthy relationships, respect, and gender equality. The initiative, funded by the Federal Government’s Safer Communities Grant, was rolled out through Victorian community settings, primary and secondary schools.
CiTC Young Leaders and football coaches delivered the program, which included contributions from A-League Women’s star Laura Hughes, Melbourne City’s Powerchair champion Shaun Millett, and A-League Men’s teams. The program targeted adolescents, with a specific focus on multicultural youths using sports as a hook to get youths interested in participating.
Important findings from the initiative’s evaluation were that there was a demonstrated shift in masculine attitudes, youths exhibited positive impacts on Young Leaders and peer influences, leading to improved relationships.
Local state MPs and federal representatives supported the launch of the report findings. Tim Richardson MP (Parliamentary Secretary for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention) spoke at the launch, emphasising the significant importance of addressing gender-based violence and shifting attitudes of adolescents.
Dr Pam Kappelides (La Trobe University) instructed the evaluation of the program and applauded the report for initiating critical conversations.
Women’s A-League Melbourne City player Laura Hughes spoke about her role and experience from participating as a Youth Leader.
“As a professional footballer, I hope I can positively impact young people’s lives in some way,” she said in a press release.
“I’ve especially enjoyed connecting with young men sharing some of the barriers female athletes face as well as the great opportunities we’re afforded here at City.”
Key recommendations found from the program:
Extend the length of the program beyond one day in some cases
Establish a long-term evaluation system
Incorporate visual/interactive elements
Evaluate program title change
Source for experienced leaders/coaches
CiTC hopes to extend the initiative and seeks stakeholder and funder engagement. Victorian schools have reached out to CiTC to bring the program to their students in both primary and secondary schools.
The program successfully used football as a platform to engage youths in participating, actively engaging, and having critical conversations to understand the importance of promoting gender equality and healthy relationships among young people.
