Football Canterbury has had several changes following the Annual General Meeting with a new chairman and two new directors.
Outgoing chairman Armando Gardiman and outgoing director Anthony D’Agruma ended their tenures after completing their fourth consecutive term, the maximum allowed as per the Football Canterbury constitution, while director Nick Kambounias was up for re-election.
This left three spots available on the board with five nominees:
- Matthew Greenlaw
- Keith Irving
- Nick Kambounias
- Georgie Kokokiris
- Adrian Timbs
Two members from every full member club were eligible to vote as well as all Football Canterbury Life Members. Directors of the Board (unless life members) were not eligible to vote.
The successful candidates were: Nick Kambounias (re-elected), Georgie Kokokiris, and Matthew Greenlaw. They make-up the composition of the board along with existing directors Ashleigh Campbell, Maria Gissing, Youcef Kabbara, and Liza Schaeper.
Following the election of directors, Kambounias was appointed as the new chairman. Kambounias becomes the fourth chairman of Football Canterbury since the board structure and constitution was altered in 2014.
Nick Kambounias
Founder of Cooks River Titans, Kambounias was first elected to the Football Canterbury board in 2021 and quickly started working on initiatives to provide opportunities and growth for all players in the association.
Kambounias played a big part in the creation of the CDSFA Representative League and was part of the group who introduced Summer Fives, two projects that has made it clear that he is here for the good of the game and Football Canterbury.
“Over the past 100 years there’s been a lot of blood, sweat, and tears that have gone into this organisation so it’s an honour to be elected as the leader,” said Kambounias.
“This board is a very capable board and for them to have nominated me and chosen me as the chairman is an honour and a huge privilege. It’s a role I must deliver with pride, with dignity, and with complete openness and fairness to all clubs.
“I will strive to deliver the best I can for Football Canterbury and for the clubs to make sure that our association continues to be recognised as one of the leading associations in the state and that it maintains its fantastic reputation that it holds with key stakeholders.
“The two new board members that have been elected are young and therefore they come with a lot of new ideas and with a lot of energy. The remaining board members have been fantastic as well: they carry a lot of experience. So to lead such a dynamic and diverse board, I think is huge and gives Football Canterbury and all the clubs a great potential for growth.”
Georgie Kokokiris
Kokokiris has been around football her entire life, having worked for both professional and grassroots clubs.
While Kokokiris' football career started at the National Soccer League level with Sydney Olympic, it has been at community level where she has done her best work and forged a name for herself as one of the region’s top administrators.
“I’m thrilled to be part of the Football Canterbury board, especially this new board with some new faces and a variety of skillsets,” said Kokokiris.
“The different types of people on this board excites me and I can’t stop thinking about what each of us can bring this year with our collection of experience and knowledge.
“My background at association level has been with Marrickville Red Devils, where I’ve been for 15 years and have seen the club go from 700 members to over 2,500. I believe I have a lot to bring to the board not just to help grow Football Canterbury but to help grow all clubs: big and small.
“It’s about looking to see how all clubs can assist each other in our region to make football grow. I want to see female football grow throughout the region, I want to see programs like All-Abilities grow throughout the region, and I am genuinely excited about what can happen going forward.
“I've had great experiences working with and learning from a lot of people within Football Canterbury so it’s with a great sense of anticipation that I look to assist the entire board and every club.”
Matthew Greenlaw
Greenlaw is a digital marketing expert with significant experience in both the football and corporate landscapes.
A lifelong lover of football, Greenlaw has played the game since childhood – including playing for five different clubs in Football Canterbury competitions.
“It's exciting and humbling to be named to the board of Football Canterbury. I have played football my entire life and it's fantastic to have the opportunity to give back and use the skills that I have to grow our sport,” said Greenlaw.
“My background is in digital marketing and I currently hold a senior marketing position in the corporate space, so that is a skill set that I will bring to Football Canterbury. In saying that, what I’ll bring most to the board is yet to be fully realised.
“I am here to listen to clubs to know what everyone’s specific needs, goals, and visions are for where football in our region is going. Once we have a clear understanding of that, then I can recognise how and where I can make the biggest positive impact at Football Canterbury.
“We’ve had a highly successful 100 years as CDSFA and I look forward to playing a part in ensuring that the next 100 years is just as successful.”
