In the latest instalment of the ‘In the Spotlight’ series, we caught up with the newest member of CDSFA’s disciplinary committee, George Mourani.
If you were to read about George and his background you would not be wrong to believe that he was a man well into his career given the amount of experience under his belt already.
The Hunt & Hunt lawyer has played representative football at the highest level in NSW throughout his youth and has already had an instant impact since being admitted to the Supreme Court as a lawyer last year.
Just at the beginning of his promising legal career, he has already spearheaded his firm’s successful bid to join the National Sports Tribunal Assistance Panel (NSTLAP).
Photo: George Mourani after being admitted as a lawyer at the NSW Supreme Court. Image: Supplied
As an avid footballer, George was eager to have his firm join the NSTLAP, a panel established to provide free or substantially reduced legal assistance for athletes and sporting bodies.
“The Federal Government established the National Sports Tribunal last year to identify and prevent issues in sports such as doping and match fixing. The Tribunal was needed to address these issues that were increasingly prevalent in Australian sport,” Mourani said.
"My firm, led by me, made an application to be a member of the NSTLAP and we were accepted.”
So, you may be asking the question: How did George end up joining the Association as the Chair for the Disciplinary Tribunal?
Well, from a young age, he has always had a place in his heart for the Association so when he saw the job posting (by pure chance) on the CDSFA website, he knew it was something that he wanted to pursue.
Photo: A young George in his Roselands strip. Image: Supplied
“I was up late one night, and I had no idea when my football season was starting. So, I went on the CDSFA website to see whether the draw had been released. Then on the front page it had the job posting."
"I clicked on it and thought, I’ve dealt with these guys before, I have the experience and although I’ve never personally been in front of the committee, I have teammates and friends who have.”
Shortly after seeing it [job ad], George read the constitution and appeals procedure and decided, why not! He is passionate about football and is still very invested in the game. For him, the Tribunal was his way of incorporating his legal knowledge and passion for football to his local area.”
“I live in the district, I play in the district and I’ve refereed in the district. I thought it was only natural for me to be a part of the Tribunal because I’m still very involved in football and I play in the Association,” George said.
George firmly believes that his background in the sport made him the perfect candidate to take on the role.
“There is no better qualified person to Chair any sports tribunal than a person who has once played or continues to play the sport. There are complexities in each sport about why particular events occur and without that personal experience, it would be difficult to make just and reasonable decisions on the Tribunal. I know what it feels like to be in that heated moment, in a passionate game when the stakes are high.”
Image: Sydney Olympic team photo. George (Second from left – standing). Image: Supplied
He added: “I also appreciate that our district is extremely diverse. There are numerous factors requiring consideration when decisions are made on the Tribunal.”
When George announced his appointment on the Tribunal, he received mostly positive but of course, some not so positive reactions on social media.
He said, “When I announced my appointment on Facebook, I received a response saying: ‘I’m suspended for a year, can you try get me out of it?’ Now obviously, I did not respond to that comment."
George added: "This is the joy in working with such a broad group of people with a mutual passion for the world game."
George's law firm and family were proud of this achievement and look forward to his future progress with Football in Australia.
By CDSFA Communications Officer – Samuel Greco Schwartz
