A.P.I.A Leichhardt Tigers are proud to announce the arrival of Socceroo legend and former captain, Paul Okon, as interim head-coach for the up-coming 2009 TeleChoice Premier League season.

Okon, winner of 37 caps for his country, is seen by the A.P.I.A board of Directors as the ideal individual to take the club forward. His extensive experience in arguably the two biggest leagues in the world, Serie A and the English Premier League, no doubt will ensure that APIA is in capable hands.

“Paul Okon’s pedigree speaks for itself, a remarkable career both with the National Team and at club level, announced a chuffed APIA president Tony Raciti.

“Lazio, Fiorentina, Leeds United, Middlesbrough, Player of the Year in the Belgian Jupiler League, Socceroo Captain, and the list goes on.

Although recently appointed as assistant coach to A-League side Gold Coast United, Okon has pledged to ensure that he provides a solid and professional base for the inheritor of the head-coach position once he takes up his commitments with the newly admitted Queensland franchise.

“Behind the scenes the board of Directors has worked very hard to make this club a competitive force on the playing arena. In saying that, fifth and sixth position on the ladder in consecutive seasons is nothing to be ashamed of, but with the playing staff we have recruited, the board believe we should have been challenging for a top three finish. It wasn’t achieved, and we feel it is the right time to move on to bigger and better things. The appointment of Paul Okon demonstrates that we are a serious club with massive ambitions,” added a motivated club president Raciti, entering his 37th season as honorary President.

Okon will be assisted by former Apia defender Mark Brady, who is in his third season as the clubs first grade assistant coach.

“Mark has been with this club for a number of years, at youth level through to first grade. He won the National League with Apia in 1988 and he’s a tiger through and through,” continued Raciti.

Okon’s first assignment will be to oversee the clubs open trials on Monday night in the hope of filling the void left by key departures to A-League clubs.

Goal-keeper Matthew Nash and left back David D’Apuzzo have joined the central Coast Mariners while TeleChoice Premier League Golden Boot Robert Younis has moved onto Adelaide United. A fourth player, Marton Vass, is rumoured to be on the radar of a few A-League clubs.

“Sixth position in the league suggests we are mediocre club, the board will not stand for that given how successful we have been in producing players with the ability to step-up into the A-League.

“We are the most successful club in Australia as far as Socceroos and National Team captains are concerned. And we were the only club in the league to lose three possibly four players to the top-tier of football in Australia in season 2008.

“This is why we have appointed someone of the calibre of Paul Okon. Paul is a motivated professional in every sense. He will help move this club in the right direction, a professional direction, a successful direction, something we have lacked in recent years,” concluded an extremely excited Raciti.

LOOKING FOR TALENT FOR THE CLUBS 2009 FIRST GRADE PREMIER LEAGUE SQUAD
The club which has developed and had selected a record number of Socceroos and National Team Captains than any other football club in Australia.
Is looking to un-earth and showcase further A-League and prospective international talent in 2009 to join the list of youngsters and fringe players developed in 2008 being:
*Mark Byrnes
*David D’Apuzzo
*Stephen Kayes
*Jamie McMaster
*Matthew Nash
*Simon Ryan
*Marton Vass
*Robert Younis
WHO WILL THE BE NEXT CUB TO EMERGE FROM THE TIGERS DEN?

Trials will be held at Cooke Park, Madeline Rd Belfield on dates listed below.

In the first instance players are to express their interest and register for attendance by phoning the clubs Football Manager Tony Raciti at the clubs administration office on 9716 688 or 0402 306 666.

Apia Tigers Junior Soccer Team U7/1A won Terrigal 2008 Gala Day/Competition

The U7/1A team has won with style this years Terrigal United Football Club 2008 Gala Day/Competition.

The coach arrived early at near freezing temperature to observe the opposition. The same team attended last years same Gala day (2007) however missed out by just one single point and needed to prove that they could go all the way.  And they did it in style.
The Terrigal Day, in its 4th year now, is a very well run gala day and must raise great funds for the Club.  With 24 teams and all of very high standard it is obviously very hard to achieve good results coming from outside the Central Coast Association.

With 4 wins in hand and one draw the team advanced in to a new territory of playing in to the semi finals of 15 minutes each half on a ¾ size field.  After 100 minutes of play (5 matches) the next 30 minutes was a pure display of passion and commitment.  We won the game 5:0 against another Sydney team, Kogarah U7/2.

The final, held straight after, was every coach’s dream.  Playing 2:0 ahead in the first 10 minutes, however conceded 2 quick goals against us. The second half was just a power play of both teams. We finally won the game with a gallant goal scored in the last minute. The final score 3:2 against a proud team of Kogarah U7/1 highlighted the passion and love of both teams playing football for fun.

I am very proud of each player and look forward to continue working with each individual to become a player who will love the ‘beautiful game’.

Goal Scorer’s:
Izaak H (12), Jonathan W (5), Anthony S (4), Adrian T (3), Domenico B (1), Leonardo B (1), Nicholas W (1)

Regards,

Detlef Haupt
Coach U7/1A

The above club is currently seeking players wishing to compete in the prestigious 61st edition of the annual ‘Coppa Carnevale’ Under 20 Youth Cup in Italy between January 31st 2009 and February 16th 2009.
APIA Leichhardt Tigers will be participating in its seventh successive Tournament in 2009, a Tournament that hosts the likes of A.C Milan, Inter Milan, Tottenham Hotspurs, Juventus, A.S Roma, Bayern Munich, Santos, Anderlecht, River Plate, Olympiakos and Fiorentina every year. In all, a massive 48 leading clubs.
In the past four years, Apia Leichhardt Tigers has had opponents in their group matches such as Partizan Belgrade, A.C Milan on two occasions, Juventus and Tottenham Hotspurs.
We invite expressions of interest from talented and ambitious Under 20 players; the bulk of this team will also form the clubs Under 20’s NSW Premier League squad for 2009. Absolute confidentiality will be preserved. For more information please call the clubs tour administrator and liaison officer Joe Piazza on 0415 835 965 or email him at joeygiuseppe@hotmail.com.
Trials will be held at Cooke Park, Madeline Rd Belfield on dates listed. Players are advised to arrive 30 minutes before trial commencement. Further dates to be announced. Starting time 6pm.