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NWS Spirit FC snap up Kiwi sharpshooter

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National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s club NWS Spirit FC have snapped up former New Zealand Men’s National League Golden Boot winner Gianni Bouzoukis for the 2024 season.

The 25-year-old collected his second successive Golden Boot award following yet another outstanding season with New Zealand National Champions Wellington Olympic.

His performances caught the attention of NWS Spirit FC coach David Perkovic who moved quickly to snap up the ace marksman as the club prepares for a huge year ahead.

“We are glad that Gianni Bouzoukis has joined from Wellington Olympic,” Perkovic told Football NSW.

“His exceptional goal-scoring ability and experience will undoubtedly strengthen our attack and elevate our performance on the field.”

The club also resigned several of its 2023 players including Chris Marques, Anthony Younis, Grant Cornwell, Kyle Shaw, Simon Nicholas, Daniel Mitwali, Corey Kavanagh, Richie Darko, Michale Konestabo, Ollie Wiggin, Jared Lum and Luiz Lobo.

“We are thrilled to have resigned key existing players from our squad last season and secured a number of new players to help improve our squad in 2024.”

Bouzoukis was a cult hero with the Wellington Olympic faithful as he scored an amazing 104 goals in 130 first-team appearances for the New Zealand National Champions.

Zeljko Kalac appointed Sydney United 58 Head Coach

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National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s side Sydney United 58 have appointed former Socceroo Zeljko ‘Spider’ Kalac as its head coach for the 2024 season.

The 50-year-old returns to his former stomping ground, a place he called home as a junior and senior as well as having managed the ex-NSL giants in 2020.

“It’s truly special to return to Sydney United 58, a club deeply ingrained in my life,” Kalac stated.

“While our sights are set on clinching the Championship, our focus extends beyond the present.

“We’re dedicated to cultivating talent and building a strong foundation for the future.”

Kalac recently spent time managing the Bulls FC Academy during the 2023 NPL NSW Men’s campaign.

“It’s an important season as the club, as well as football in Australia, continues to evolve.

“We need to ensure our incoming playing group is committed to the standards this great club has,” the club promoted in its official press release.

Kalac replaces Miro Vlastelica who has been invaluable for the club but will still feature as part of the coaching staff in 2024.

“It’s important to keep good people and coaches around the club as we continue to progress – we’re looking forward to what the new season holds,” the club issued in its press release.

The 2023 Waratah Cup Champions have commenced it’s rebuild as the club said farewell to long serving stalwarts Matthew Bilic, Yianni Fragogiannis, Chris Payne, Devante Clut and Yianni Perkatis while Andrea Agamemnonos, Taisei Kaneko, Ante Bakmaz, Jason Madonis and Hiyori Kawaguchi will feature in new teams in 2024.

The club has resigned Leroy Jennings, Alessandro Lacalandra, Glen Trifio, Patrick Antelmi, Adrian Vlastelica, Bailey Rule, Anthony Tomelic, Luke Cukar and Tariq Maia for the new year.

Monge credits NPL for Victory move

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After returning from a tough overseas stint playing in the Greek Second Division, 22-year-old Fabian Monge took the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition by storm as he played a starring role in APIA Leichhardt FC’s 2023 Premiership win – so much so, he earned himself an A-League deal with Melbourne Victory.

The exciting midfielder proved to be a valuable signing for coach Franco Parisi as the former Australian Under 17, 20 and 23 representative played a pivotal role in APIA’s successful Premiership run.

Monge paid huge praise to the NPL NSW Men’s competition as the stepping stone to him earning a contract with Tony Popovic’s Melbourne Victory side for the 2023-24 A-League Men’s season.

“The NPL NSW Men’s competition was vital for me,” Monge stated to Football NSW.

“It gave me the opportunity to play first grade at a young age and when I came back home,
it gave me the opportunity to play regular minutes again and provided a pathway for me back into the A-League.”

It was an unforgettable season for Monge who paid tribute to his teammates at APIA following their Premiership success.

“It was a great season, obviously when you’re winning and playing well, football is always more enjoyable so to be able to do that this year with a top bunch of boys was an amazing feeling.”

Prior to signing with APIA in the NPL, Monge played for the Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney Olympic where it was there, the talented star gained more experience playing in the state’s top tier men’s competition.

Fast forward a few years and Monge is now playing for a spot in Popovic’s Victory squad, a move that came through following APIA’s round 29 clash against NWS Spirit FC.

“We had just finished a game against NWS Spirit FC and Franco (Parisi) pulled me aside and told me I was off to Melbourne to train with the Victory.

“I came down and was luckily enough to get offered a contract.”

In a club statement, Melbourne Victory’s Director of Football John Didulica was thrilled to have snapped up Monge.

“Prior to his recent success with APIA Leichhardt, Monge was a stand-out young talent in the Y-League and we are confident we are getting a player with quality and pedigree and one who can contribute to the team.”

Nicolaou praises NPL NSW Men’s pathway

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APIA Leichhardt FC’s Premiership winning star Yianni Nicolaou has credited the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition as one of the reasons why the versatile footballer picked up an A-League deal with Macarthur FC for the upcoming season.

The 23-year-old played a starring role in Franco Parisi’s Premiership winning APIA squad, so much so, his performances alerted Macarthur FC Head Coach Mile Sterjovski who snapped up the South West Sydney defender.

“The NPL NSW Men’s competition was so important for me as a footballer, Nicoalou stated to Football NSW.

“The league offers a highly competitive platform where players can test and hone their skills against quality players.

“Playing in this league has also provided me with exposure to coaches and professional clubs and I was lucky enough to sign an A-League contract through this league.

“With regards to winning the Premiership, we all knew that the first 30-week season in the NPL wasn’t going to be easy.

“I was absolutely delighted with our Premiership win.

“It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team. I will remember this for the rest of my life and can confidently say there is no better feeling than achieving such an honour.”

Having been part of the Bulls youth setup, Nicolaou, prior to the 2022 and 2023 season where he donned the APIA jersey also played for the Marconi Stallions in NSW’s top tier league in 2018 and 2019.

His move to Macarthur came unexpectedly as the young gun was looking forward to a well-earned holiday in Japan that was until Sterjovski gave him a call following a massive year with APIA.

“Playing in the NPL NSW Men’s league provides great exposure for players such as myself. I was fortunate enough to be looked at by a few A-League clubs throughout the year.

“As soon as the season ended with APIA, I was fortunate enough to receive a call asking to join Macarthur FC. I am super grateful for this opportunity and looking forward to seeing where this takes me.”

Nicolaou made an impressive debut with the Bulls following a great display in the club’s opening AFC Cup Round 1 victory over Shan United.

Perkovic commits to a new 5-year deal at NWS Spirit FC

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Ambitious National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s side NWS Spirit FC have announced the long-term re-signing of Head Coach David Perkovic for the next five seasons.

The 41-year-old will not only take the role of the Head Coach but also the Technical Director’s position through to the end of 2028.

“It is an honour and a privilege to be entrusted with the responsibility of continuing to lead this team into the future,” said Perkovic.

“I believe in the potential of this club, and I look forward to working hard to achieve more success for our club.”

In the club’s first year since winning promotion into the NPL NSW Men’s competition in 2023, Perkovic guided his side to 11th place with the hope of getting further up the ladder in 2024.