Current State of the Bid

2nd October, 2009 - 12th Hyundai A-League Team Announcement

South Coast FC fans,

This week, Football Federation Australia (FFA) CEO Ben Buckley announced the decision to award the 12th Hyundai A-League club licence to the Western Sydney bid team, chaired Ian Rowden.

Western Sydney will join in 2011. A second Melbourne team, known as Melbourne Heart, will enter in 2010.

In his statement, Mr. Buckley also praised the South Coast FC bid and said the FFA would "remain in close discussion with the group regarding potential future plans for the South Coast, including women's and youth football."

I would like to take the time to congratulate the Western Sydney bid team, wishing them all the best in building a successful team for 2011 as football moves from strength to strength, while also applauding the way the FFA has handled the bid process.

The South Coast FC bid team is happy that the question of the 12th team is now resolved. The FFA's indication that they will discuss plans for youth and women's football (with the possibility of fielding a National Youth League and national W-League side respectively) shows that they would like to continue to work with us in the future, especially given the positive reception to our mix of people, strategic, operational and development models.

While it is too early to comment on specific details of this future relationship, there is no doubt there is the potential for a significant boost to football in our region. It is also too early to determine if the South Coast FC bid team will continue to press for a place in the case of A-League future expansion plans. Since the bid began, football in the region has been unified under the body of Football South Coast, and future A-League aspirations in the region will need to be discussed by the unified board.

I would like to take this chance to thank the South Coast FC bid team including deputy chairman Bill Drossos, fellow board members Peter Kay and Nicki Bowman, marketing specialist Nick Ferraro and media relations officer Tony Harper.

I would also like to thank all of our business and government partners, and supporting associations, as without your assistance, none of this would have been possible.

Last, but definitely not least, I would like to thank all of the South Coast FC supporters who have contributed in one way or another. From visiting the website and signing up to the Supporters Post, to the many social networking groups which have sprung up. Also to those who attended the A-League trial match at WIN Stadium and showed our strength in numbers (with the highest crowd attendance of all non A-League venues) right through to the players, parents and officials within the region.

We hope we have represented you with respect and dignity, and moving forward, we look forward to contributing to the advancement of football and sport within the region.

Thanks and many regards.

South Coast FC Chairman,
Eddy De Gabriele

24th October, 2008 - South Coast FC, PCYC and Club Membership

To South Coast FC fans,

It's been a couple of months since our last update but the wait been worth it.

There's been a lot going on behind the scenes here at South Coast FC HQ, including the announcement of our official partnership with the Police and Community Youth Clubs (PCYC), the launch of our Club Membership and Corporate pledge campaign, the Fans' Forum going live - even our supporters jerseys have sold out!

The long-term memorandum of understanding is great news for both the PCYC and South Coast FC, providing the club with top class training and administrative facilities and a home for the Tim Cahill South Coast Youth Football Academy.

The North Wollongong PCYC is an ideal venue for the South Coast Football home base. There is a football field already in place and the PCYC has agreed to develop suitable gymnasium facilities, offices and specialist rooms for medical purposes and video analysis - just what a team needs to be at the top of their game, and stay close to the community.

The South Coast FC Membership pledge campaign is also a significant step in securing an A-League licence for season 2010-11. With the need to show that we are serious about this team, it is vital that local football fans, business and corporate partners voice their support now. It is time to demonstrate the passion that exists in the region and become a part of the team (each signee will also be given a unique Club Member number and be updated on key upcoming member exclusive events).

Club Membership can be applied for here.

To wrap things up, the South Coast FC Fans' Forum is also up and running - so you can get on and talk football to your heart's content. Local football? A-League? International? Get your friends and family on there and check out the up-to-the-minute updates from the wider football fraternity.

Finally, I would like to thank you all once again for your support to date. It's really getting to the business end of things now, with some important steps just over the horizon, and it is now more than ever that your support is needed.

Join the team, and let's show how much we really want this.

Rgds, Nick Ferraro
South Coast Football Club Ltd.

13th August, 2008 - South Coast Football Making Its Move

To South Coast Football fans,

Well, it's certainly been an exciting couple of weeks for South Coast Football. In that time we have seen a number of local junior's debut, and return, on the world stage, an overwhelming response to the 'Name Your Team' vote, and WIN Stadium once again playing host to world class football...

First of all, a huge THANKYOU goes out on behalf of South Coast Football Club to those who attended the Pre-Season Cup match between Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix on Saturday, August 2nd. Before the match, hosted by South Coast Football Club, we put out a call to arms, asking the region to come out and show that the region deserved and wanted a team to call our own. We asked you, the community and supporters, to come out in force - and you did!

With a 2008 Pre-Season Cup average crowd of 3,974 (across the 11 other regular Pre-Season Cup games), South Coast Football was hoping for a strong show of support. Not only did we reach this milestone, we blitzed it! With a crowd of 6,124 showing up on the night, without a local team playing part in the main event, the result was sensational!

So again, a huge thankyou to all who attended (and those who couldn't but provided droves of support by way of emails, posts and by purchasing Supporters Foundation Packs) to watch what was a spectacle of a game, which included 5 goals and a comeback win for the Phoenix from 2-0 down!

Don't forget to check out photos from the night (including the pre-game corporate launch attended by John Aloisi, Brendon Santalab and Jeff Fenech) in the Photo Gallery section of our website, with special thanks to Andres Marin Photography.

It's also been a great week as far as our South Coast locals are concerned, with Nowra junior Adam Federici and Bulli junior Ruben Zadkovich making their debut on the Olympic stage at Beijing. In what was a disappointing campaign overall for Graham Arnold's men, with the Olyroos failing to make the knock-out stages of the tournament, Federici was a stand-out success between the posts. Zadkovich also performed admirably, before being struck down with an injury for the final group game, scoring the Olyroos' only goal of the tournament in the 1-1 draw against Serbia.

On the same subject is Scott Chipperfield's return to the Socceroos after a frustrating injury lay-off period. With Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek in constant contact with the 2006 FIFA World Cup campaign star, he wasted no time in calling him up for this month's friendly against South Africa. Verbeek also laid out his plans for World Cup qualification, and the Bellambi junior's importance to the team on the road to South Africa 2010. Check out the media articles in the News Central section of our website.

Finally is an announcement on the South Coast Football 'Name Your Team' vote. Another big thankyou goes out to the community, South Coast Football supporters, and football fraternity in general, for your overwhelming response.

Indeed, it is for this reason that we have now closed the competition, and submitted the most popular names and suggestions - as voted by YOU - for final approval by the FFA. So we ask for your patience - and your ongoing support of South Coast Football - while the proper protocol is followed in what is a momentous occasion, where you have had your say on the future of world class football on the South Coast.

Support South Coast Football!

Rgds, Nick Ferraro
South Coast Football Club Ltd.

31st July, 2008 - Name Your Team Announcement

To South Coast Football fans,

As you are well aware, the South Coast Football website is now up and running, and the response and support over the last few days has been overwhelming!

In addition to your response to the Name Your Team vote and Supporters Post, we have had national coverage through FourFourTwo magazine and local coverage through the Illawarra Mercury (both of these articles can be viewed in the South Coast Football - News Central section of the website). As well, numerous threads and blogs have popped up on a number of forums and websites across the country. Let's keep the momentum going!

Now, as you know, the reason we developed the website in the first place is to engage and involve you, the community, the fans, the supporters - the heart of South Coast Football. And it is for this very reason that we want to say "WE HEAR YOU!"

As of today, we have opened up the gates, and will allow YOU to make suggestions on a TEAM NAME! South Coast United? South Coast Waves? The decision is yours...

Now, a couple of things to note... we will pull together the votes for ALL names, including your suggestions and the names currently listed. You won't get to see your suggestions and the tally (we have to make it interesting!), so I urge you to have a chat with your friends, with your family, with your pets, whatever, and show force in numbers for your favourite! Every vote WILL count! Then stay tuned, and watch this space...

For those of you who have already voted... don't worry. We will allow you to vote, or make your own suggestion as well. Every email address is now allowed 2 votes, so make good use of them...

Oh, and don't forget...

1. for those of you on Facebook and MySpace, the South Coast Football group/page is now live, so join up!
2. for those that haven't visited the Supporters Post, go over and leave a comment. It's quick, easy, and a good way to show your support
3. orders are now being taken for Supporters Jerseys and Supporters Foundation Packs, so drop us a line
4. get along to Saturday's game - Sydney FC vs. Wellington Phoenix at WIN Stadium, Wollongong. Tickets can be purchased through the website

Once again, I thank every single one of you for your ongoing support.

Support South Coast Football!

Rgds, Nick Ferraro
South Coast Football Club Ltd.

28th July, 2008 - South Coast Football, online now!

To South Coast Football fans,

Today marks a milestone for South Coast Football, as I am proud to announce the launch of the South Coast Football website!

As has been the case from the very beginning, you, the South Coast community, wider football fraternity, sports fans, corporate and media partners, play a very important part in our bid to bring world class football to the region - and so we want you to be involved, and play a part, every step of the way.

Make sure to check out how you can get involved, by entering the 'Name Your Team' competition, signing the supporters post, or by purchasing some supporter's foundation gear, or checking out our sponsorship packages.

Read up on the history of football on the South Coast, or our vision for the future. Also find out which local juniors are making it big on the world stage, and who has already partnered with us.

Stay up to date with the latest Hyundai A-League and South Coast Football news, and hear what Scott Chipperfield and Tim Cahill have to say on South Coast Football.

Get to know our team - your team. South Coast Football would also like to take the opportunity to thank the many individuals, partners, and supporting associations who have made this possible.

So make sure you out the South Coast Football website, keep checking back for 'updates on our bid', and don't forget to purchase your tickets for the Sydney FC vs. Wellington Phoenix match at WIN Stadium this Saturday night!

Support South Coast Football!

Rgds, Nick Ferraro
South Coast Football Club Ltd.

27th June, 2008 - South Coast: Your support needed!

To South Coast Football fans,

Today, South Coast Football and local juniors, Sydney FC stars Jacob Timpano and Brendon Santalab, joined a call to arms for support of a locally based team in the A-League.

With the announcement of a pre-season trial match between Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix on August 2nd, the region has been given a chance to show its support in numbers. The FFA will no doubt be paying close attention to what the South Coast has to offer a potential team, and so now is the time for the community, football and sports fans alike, to come out and show the region deserves a team in the nation's elite football competition.

In previous encounters during the 2006/07 and 2007/08 pre-seasons crowds of 4,210 and 6,334 showed up to watch Sydney FC vs. Adelaide United, and Sydney FC vs. Perth Glory. This year, it is hoped a crowd of 10,000 comes along to see what is guaranteed to be an exciting match between two teams that have undertaken big recruiting strategies in the off-season.

So, the time is now! South Coast Football wants this fixture to be a showpiece of football's strength on the South Coast, and the only way we can do that is with the community's support. So come along (tickets can be purchased from this website!), bring the family, and watch stars such as Andrew Durante and Simon Colosimo, in addition to local juniors Jacob Timpano and Brendon Santalab, in action.

Support South Coast Football!

Rgds, Nick Ferraro
South Coast Football Club Ltd.

5th June, 2008 - It's official...

To South Coast Football fans,

This week South Coast Football made its official submission to the FFA, putting forward its Expression of Interest for entrance into an expanded 2009/10 A-League competition.

With nine other consortiums submitting bids from a number of regions (two each from the Gold Coast, Townsville, and Western Sydney and three from Melbourne), competition is definitely heating up. The attractiveness of the A-League, Australia's youngest football competition, is obvious - and corporate organisations are paying close attention.

The FFA believes there is capacity to support a 12-team competition, leaving the door wide open for South Coast Football. With a number of approaches from potential sponsors and backers, the focus now turns to securing an underwriter for the team - a prerequisite for the FFA to make up for any potential short fall in funds during the first five years of operation.

As an added boost to the team, South Coast Football was commended on its plans for unification, community and youth development, including the recent announcement of the Tim Cahill Football Academy.

So, where to now? It is no secret that Gold Coast United is almost over the line, with Clive Palmer now on board as their billionaire owner. Additionally, the FFA has entered talks with the two Townsville groups - a position the region was in last season, before a change in ownership saw the FFA delay potential expansion.

This leaves the remaining three regions - Western Sydney, Melbourne and the South Coast - to put forward their case for the two remaining spots of a 12 team competition.

The stakes are now clear - we need the support of the South Coast community, as well as our media and corporate partners now! So get out there, and show your support!

Support South Coast Football!

Rgds, Nick Ferraro
South Coast Football Club Ltd.

23rd May, 2008 - Welcome to the South Coast, Tim Cahill!

To South Coast Football fans,

Those of you who watched Channel Nine's Wide World of Sports, read the Sydney Morning Herald or listened to ABC Radio last week would be up to speed with South Coast Football's latest victory - welcome, Mr. Tim Cahill!

As evidence of the great work going on behind the scenes, Tim Cahill, World Cup hero, Everton star, and passionate advocate for youth development world-wide, has agreed to come on board with South Coast Football, and put his name (and face!) up in lights for the cause.

Central to this commitment is the development of the first Tim Cahill Football Academy, with the primary aim of giving back to the football fraternity, and wider community, by presenting talented young boys and girls the opportunity to learn from the best in the business.

Using his experience as a young kid trying to come up through the ranks, Tim brings with him a sound knowledge of what is required to bring the very best out of our stars of tomorrow. What you might not know is that Tim also brings with him the business acumen and sponsorship networks which have seen him earn the respect of the commercial sector locally and abroad.

So, what does this all mean for South Coast Football? On top of yet another high profile ambassador for our bid, Tim's decision to come on board with South Coast Football give us a vote of confidence - especially given the competition which ensued with other regions vying to become host to the inaugural Tim Cahill Football Academy.

So... Unification, the Tim Cahill Football Academy, a group of dedicated individuals striving for one result - and the support of a local community that has proved time and time again that it will stand up for what it wants... recipe for success? Only time will tell...

Support South Coast Football!

Rgds, Nick Ferraro
South Coast Football Club Ltd.

16th May, 2008 - FFA: Show us what you got

To South Coast Football fans,

This week, South Coast Football had a ground breaking meeting with the FFA at their Sydney headquarters, resulting in them asking our group to submit an official expression of interest by June 2nd.

It was a great outcome for the region, with the realisation by the FFA that we are willing and ready to put ourselves in the mix to once again bring world class football to the South Coast - something this region has sorely been missing.

As part of the submission, we at South Coast Football will continue to finetune our business model, and engage you, the most important part of the team. While there is no doubt that come June 2nd, competition for places in the A-League will heat up , we are well placed to put our best foot forward, and show that we deserve our place, and have the support, football pedigree and business acumen to ensure success, both in the short and long term.

So its time we throw down the challenge to you, the heart and soul of football on the South Coast - get out there and support your team!

Support South Coast Football!

Rgds, Nick Ferraro
South Coast Football Club Ltd.

13th March, 2008 - A-League expansion delayed another year

To South Coast Football fans,

And the results are in...

This week the FFA make their official announcement on A-League expansion, with an expanded league delayed until next season, and teams vying for a place given more time to prepare their respective bids.

With the 2009/10 season always being the target for South Coast Football, this sets us in good stead. As has been the case over the last 18 months, South Coast Football is keeping its eye on the prize - and that can only strengthen our case.

Up until now, the FFA has kept its cards close to its chest on the issue of whether the A-League will expand to 10 or 12 teams for next season. However, whatever the decision may be, our focus remains solely on the South Coast - our community, our football fraternity... our bid.

With players such as former Central Coast Mariners star Noel Spencer and current Basel FC and Socceroo linchpin Scott Chipperfield coming out and proactively showing their support for the region and South Coast Football, people are starting to take notice.

So, as we keep our head down and move into the business end of things and continue along the road we set out on from day one, we ask you to watch this space and spread the word... South Coast Football is here to play!

Support South Coast Football!

Rgds, Nick Ferraro
South Coast Football Club Ltd.

1st December, 2007 - South Coast Football United... finally!

To South Coast Football fans,

Today, South Coast Football took a significant step on the long and winding road towards having a team to call its own in the Hyundai A-League.

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding brings together the nine football bodies of the region, including juniors, men's, and women's, professional, amateur and administrative associations, under a single controlling body.

So how does this advantage the South Coast, and its A-League bid? It allows the region to be represented by a unified voice, a voice which has been fractured for over 30 years! Unification provides us with the opportunity, capability, resource and skill to move forward, represent the totality of sport in the region and strive towards a single goal - to play at the very highest level.

Unification also allows us to build the foundations for our A-league bid's strategic pillars - Football Excellence, Community Engagement, and Business Focus.

In terms of football development, unification presents us with a natural progressive pathway. It allows all levels of local players, administrators, managers and coaches to technically grow and develop from grassroots to the highest possible level.

From a community perspective, a single controlling body means consistent rules and regulations. This allows football supporters and fans to enjoy the game they love in a safe and family friendly environment while improving the overall presentation of the sport to the wider community and football fraternity.

An additional benefit is the ability to greater leverage the commercial sector in terms of sponsorship investment. A single set of rules and regulations, and a unified body representing the regions interest from top to bottom presents the best possible platform to develop commercially and financially.

So to that effect - congratulations to all parties involved for reaching this monumental milestone! It's a long road ahead, but your support will make it all the more easier. So remember...

Support South Coast Football!

Rgds, Nick Ferraro
South Coast Football Club Ltd.